Definition

1. Pronoun (Archaic):

   • Thou / You (singular): An archaic second-person singular pronoun used to address someone of lower social status.
   • You (plural, with "các"): When used with "các," it forms the plural "you all" or "ye" in archaic contexts.

2. Noun (Part of compound word):

   • Pupil (of the eye): Found only in the compound word "con ngươi," meaning the pupil of the eye. This is a phonetic variation of the word "người" (person).

Usage Examples

• Pronoun (Archaic):

  • Hãy nghe lời ta, ngươi! (Listen to me, thou!)
  • Các ngươi hãy ra đi. (You all must leave.)

• Noun (In compound):

  • Con ngươi của cô ấy có màu nâu. (The pupil of her eye is brown.)

Advanced Usage

• As a standalone word, "ngươi" is almost exclusively used in historical texts, classical literature, or to create an archaic tone. It is not used in modern conversational Vietnamese for direct address.
• The phrase "trêu ngươi" (to tease, to provoke) is a common idiom derived from this archaic form.

Variants and Related Words

• Con ngươi (n): Pupil of the eye.

  • Ánh sáng làm con ngươi co lại. (The light causes the pupil to contract.)

• Các ngươi (pron): You (plural, archaic).

  • Ta ban lệnh cho các ngươi. (I give the order to you all.)

Synonyms

• Mày (pron): You (singular, familiar, often impolite). This is the modern, colloquial equivalent for addressing a social inferior, though "ngươi" is more literary/archaic.
• Pupil (n): The black circular opening in the center of the iris (for "con ngươi").

Related Idioms

• Trêu ngươi: To tease, to provoke, to tempt fate. This idiom uses the archaic "ngươi."
  • Đừng có trêu ngươi thần linh. (Don't tease the gods.)
• Có mắt không ngươi: To have eyes but not see; to be oblivious.
  • Anh ta có mắt không ngươi trước vẻ đẹp ấy. (He was oblivious to that beauty.)

1. (cũ) Thou, thee
   • xem con ngươi
2. (biến âm của người) Man