Definition

1. Particle:
   • Hey!; Here!; Look!: A colloquial or dialectal particle used to call attention, similar to "này." It often functions as a vocative or demonstrative interjection to point something out or to get someone's attention in a friendly or informal way.

Usage Examples

• Particle:
  • Nè, lại đây tôi nói cái ni! (Hey, come here, I have something to tell you!)
  • Cái áo nè đẹp không? (Look at this shirt, is it pretty?)
  • Nè, cho bạn cái này. (Here, this is for you.)

Advanced Usage

• "Nè" as a discourse marker: Used at the beginning of an utterance to signal a new topic, offer something, or emphasize a point in Southern Vietnamese speech.
  • Nè, chuyện đó là vậy đó. (Well, that's how that story is.)
• "Nè... nè...": A reduplicated form used to list items or points informally.
  • Mua cho con nè, cho chồng nè. (I bought this for the child, and this for my husband.)

Variants and Related Words

• Này (particle): The standard, more formal equivalent meaning "this" or "hey." It is used nationwide, while "nè" is characteristic of Southern dialects.
  • Này, bạn đang làm gì vậy? (Hey, what are you doing?)

Synonyms

• Này: This; Hey.
• Ê (interjection): A very informal and common interjection for "hey" or "oi."
  • Ê, chờ tôi với! (Hey, wait for me!)

Related Phrases

• Nè nha / Nè nghe: Common Southern Vietnamese phrases adding "nha" (okay?) or "nghe" (listen) to soften a request or statement.
  • Nhớ đi sớm nè nha. (Remember to go early, okay?)
• Cái nè: Means "this one" (thing), a contraction of "cái này."
  • Tôi thích cái nè. (I like this one.)

Related Idioms

• Nói nè: A phrase used to preface what one is about to say, equivalent to "Listen, ..." or "I'm telling you, ..."
  • Nói nè, anh đừng có giận. (Listen, don't be angry.)

1. (địa phương) như này