Definition

1. Verb:

   • To move from one place to another, typically by foot; to walk; to go: The most basic meaning, indicating the act of moving or traveling.
   • To depart; to leave: To go away from a place.
   • To lead (to a place); to extend: Used for roads, paths, etc., indicating their direction or destination.
   • To function; to operate; to run: For vehicles or machines, indicating they are in motion or working.
   • To engage in an activity; to go (to do something): Used before another verb to indicate going somewhere for a purpose.
   • To be used up; to fade; to diminish: Indicating a gradual reduction or disappearance of a state or condition.
   • To proceed; to develop; to go (in a certain direction): Describing the progression or course of an event, situation, or thought.
   • To match; to go with; to be compatible: Indicating that things suit or harmonize with each other.
   • (In games) To make a move: To move a piece in chess, checkers, cards, etc.
   • (Vulgar) To defecate: A colloquial and direct term.

2. Particle:

   • Used at the end of a sentence to express a command, suggestion, or encouragement: Often softens an imperative or adds a urging tone.
   • Used for emphasis, often to express surprise, affirmation, or conclusion: Adds emotional weight or finality to a statement.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Tôi đi bộ đến công viên mỗi sáng. (I walk to the park every morning.)
  • Xe buýt đi về hướng trung tâm thành phố. (The bus goes towards the city center.)
  • Anh ấy vừa đi khỏi nhà. (He just left home.)
  • Chiếc máy này không đi được. (This machine doesn't work.)
  • Chúng tôi đi ăn tối ở nhà hàng mới. (We go to eat dinner at the new restaurant.)
  • Cơn đau đầu của tôi đã đi rồi. (My headache has gone away.)
  • Cuộc thảo luận đi đến một kết luận quan trọng. (The discussion led to an important conclusion.)
  • Màu áo này không đi với quần kia. (This shirt color doesn't go with those pants.)
  • Đến lượt bạn đi quân cờ. (It's your turn to move a chess piece.)

• Particle:

  • Nói đi! Tôi đang nghe đây. (Speak up! I'm listening.)
  • Thôi đi, đừng làm thế nữa! (Come on, don't do that anymore!)
  • Lạ thật đi! (How strange!)

Advanced Usage

• "đi đi": A common, gentle urging phrase meaning "go ahead," "please go," or "do it."

  • Cứ đi đi, đừng chờ tôi. (Just go ahead, don't wait for me.)

• "đi đâu": Means "where to go." Often used rhetorically to mean "nowhere to go" or "what's the point?"

  • Biết thế thì đi đâu cho thoát? (If that's the case, where can one go to escape?)

• "đi vào": Literally "to go into." Often used figuratively to mean "to enter (a state, period, routine)."

  • Dự án đã đi vào giai đoạn cuối. (The project has entered its final phase.)

• "đi đến": Literally "to go to/arrive at." Used figuratively to mean "to reach (a conclusion, agreement, destination)."

  • Hai bên đã đi đến thỏa thuận. (The two sides have reached an agreement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đi lại (verb): To go back and forth; to travel; to commute. Also means to have social interactions.

  • Giao thông đi lại thuận tiện. (Transportation and travel are convenient.)

• Đi đứng (verb): Manner of walking and moving; general conduct or behavior.

  • Cô ấy đi đứng rất nhẹ nhàng. (She walks and moves very gracefully.)

• Sự đi lại (noun): The act of going and coming; traffic; circulation.

  • Sự đi lại trong thành phố rất đông đúc. (The traffic in the city is very crowded.)

Synonyms

• Di chuyển (verb): To move, to travel. (More formal/general than ).
• Rời đi (verb): To leave, to depart. (Emphasizes the act of leaving).
• Tiến hành (verb): To proceed, to carry out. (For processes/actions).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Đi mất: To go away and be lost/missing; to disappear.

  • Chìa khóa đi mất đâu rồi. (The keys have gone missing somewhere.)

• Đi theo: To go along with; to follow.

  • Hãy đi theo tôi. (Please follow me.)

• Đi qua: To go through/past; to pass by.

  • Chúng tôi đi qua cây cầu cũ. (We passed over the old bridge.)

Related Idioms

• Đi guốc trong bụng: Literally "to walk clogs in someone's stomach." Means to know someone's thoughts perfectly, to read someone's mind.

  • Anh ta nói đúng ý tôi, như đi guốc trong bụng tôi vậy. (He said exactly what I was thinking, as if he could read my mind.)

• Đi một ngày đàng, học một sàng khôn: Literally "Travel a road for a day, gain a basket of wisdom." Means travel broadens the mind; you learn from new experiences.

  • Nên cho trẻ đi du lịch, đi một ngày đàng, học một sàng khôn mà. (We should let children travel, travel broadens the mind.)

• Đi đêm: Literally "to go at night." Means to engage in secret, illicit, or underhanded activities.

  • Giao dịch đó có vẻ đi đêm. (That deal seems shady/under the table.)

verb

1. to go; to walk; to depart
   • đi đến một nơi nào
     to go to a place
2. To lead; to march; to play
   • đường này đi đâu
     Where does this road lead?