Definition

1. Pronoun (Personal, Second Person):
   • You (informal/familiar): Used to address a single person with whom the speaker has a close, intimate, or informal relationship (e.g., a close friend, sibling, or someone younger).
   • You (derogatory/contemptuous): Used to address a single person with clear disrespect, anger, or superiority, often in arguments or insults.

Usage Notes

• Register: "Mày" is a highly informal second-person singular pronoun. It is a key part of the intimate/contemptuous pronoun pair "mày" (you) / "tao" (I).
• Social Context: Its use is governed by strict social hierarchy and familiarity. Using "mày" inappropriately (e.g., to a stranger, superior, or elder) is a severe social faux pas and is considered extremely rude.
• Relationship: It is typically used among very close peers, from an older to a much younger person, or when deliberately intending to insult.

Usage Examples

• Informal/Familiar:
  • Mày có muốn đi xem phim không? (Do you want to go see a movie?) [Speaking to a close friend]
  • Mày làm bài tập xong chưa? (Have you finished your homework?) [An older sibling to a younger one]
• Derogatory/Contemptuous:
  • Mày im ngay cho tao! (You, shut up now!)
  • Mày nghĩ mày là ai? (Who do you think you are?)

Advanced Usage

• In Fixed Pairs: The pronouns "mày" (you) and "tao" (I) are almost always used together in dialogue to establish the informal or confrontational tone.
  • Tao nói cho mày biết. (I'm telling you.)
• With Other Intimate Pronouns: Can be used with "nó" (he/she/it - informal) within the same social circle.
  • Mày và nó đi đâu vậy? (Where are you and him going?)

Variants and Related Words

• Chúng mày (pronoun): You (plural, informal/derogatory). The plural form of "mày".
  • Chúng mày lại đây ngay! (All of you, come here now!)
• Mày tao (phrase): Refers to the practice of using the "mày/tao" pronouns, indicating an informal or disrespectful manner of speech.
  • Bọn chúng nói chuyện kiểu mày tao. (They talk to each other using "mày" and "tao".)

Synonyms & Contrasts

• Bạn (pronoun): You (neutral, friendly). Safe for most social situations.
• Anh/Chị/Em (pronoun): You (polite, based on age/gender). The standard polite pronouns.
• Ông/Bà (pronoun): You (respectful, for elders). More formal and respectful.
• Ngươi (pronoun): You (archaic, poetic, or sometimes used in historical contexts/insults).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Giận đến mức mày tao: To be so angry that one starts using "mày" and "tao" (breaking polite norms).
  • Họ giận nhau đến mức mày tao. (They were so mad at each other they used "mày" and "tao".)
• Xưng hô mày tao: To address each other as "mày" and "tao".
  • Hai đứa nó thân đến mức xưng hô mày tao. (Those two are so close they call each other "mày" and "tao".)

adj

1. you