vài

A Few

Level 1

Vài means 'a few' (usually 2 to 5 things). It works exactly like a number, so you must use a classifier when talking about standard countable nouns.

How It Works

Vài is one of the most common ways to say 'a few' or 'several' in Vietnamese. On its own, it implies a small quantity of less than 10 (usually 2 to 5). For larger quantities, you should use words like nhiều (many) or vài chục (a few dozen). Here is how to use it correctly:

  • With standard countable nouns: It is usually followed by a classifier for native Vietnamese nouns. Treat it just like a number.
    Example: vài người bạn (a few friends), vài chiếc xe (a few cars). However, many polysyllabic Sino-Vietnamese nouns do not require a classifier (e.g., vài sinh viên - a few students, vài công ty - a few companies).
  • With time, measure words, and people: Words like ngày (day), phút (minute), or lít (liter) do not need an extra classifier. Vài attaches directly to them. The word người (person) also acts as its own classifier, making vài người (a few people) a very common standalone usage.
    Example: vài ngày (a few days), vài phút (a few minutes), vài người (a few people).
  • With large numbers: Vài can combine with words like chục (tens/dozen), trăm (hundred), ngàn/nghìn (thousand), and triệu (million) to mean 'a few dozen', 'a few hundred', 'a few thousand', etc. (e.g., vài chục, vài trăm).
  • Uncountable nouns: Do not use vài with mass nouns like water or rice unless you specify a container or measurement. Use một ít (a little) instead.
  • Standalone usage: If the noun is already understood from context, vài (and một vài) can be used with just a classifier or on its own. Example: Cho tôi vài cái (Give me a few of those).

Compared to plural markers: Unlike general plural markers such as những (some/plural) or các (all of a known set), vài is strictly a small numerical quantity.

Common Variations: You will frequently encounter một vài, which generally has the identical core meaning as vài (though it can sometimes imply a slightly smaller quantity). You may also hear vài ba or dăm ba (common colloquial compounds for 'a few' or 'a couple'). They function similarly to vài.

Note: While vài cannot be used as a question word for 'how many?' (which requires mấy or bao nhiêu), it is perfectly acceptable in Yes/No questions (e.g., Bạn có vài phút không?). Additionally, there is a stylistic difference: vài (and một vài) sounds slightly more formal or bookish, whereas mấy is heavily preferred in everyday, casual spoken Vietnamese (especially in the South) for 'a few'. A crucial grammatical difference is that mấy can be placed after tens to mean 'teen/something' (e.g., mười mấy - ten something), but vài cannot be used in this position (mười vài is ungrammatical).

Examples (4)

  1. Cho mình vài phút suy nghĩ nha.

    Give me a few minutes to think, okay.

    Word by Word: Give me a few minute think okay.

    Time words like 'phút' (minute) act as their own classifiers, so 'vài' attaches directly to them.

  2. Tôi sẽ mua vài quyển sách.

    I will buy a few books.

    Word by Word: I will buy a few classifier book.

    Notice how the classifier 'quyển' is strictly required between 'vài' and the noun 'sách'.

  3. Chỉ cần thêm vài thìa muối thôi.

    Just need to add a few spoons of salt.

    Word by Word: Only need add a few spoon salt only.

    'Thìa' (spoon) acts as a measure word here, allowing 'vài' to quantify the uncountable noun 'muối' (salt).

  4. Hôm nay có vài người vắng mặt.

    Today a few people are absent.

    Word by Word: Today have a few classifier absent.

    'Người' acts as the classifier for people, so it directly follows 'vài'.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping the classifier with physical nouns.

    Tôi có vài sách.
    Tôi có vài quyển sách.

    Because English says 'a few books', learners often translate it directly. However, vài acts like a number and strictly requires a classifier for count nouns.

  • Using 'vài' directly with uncountable mass nouns.

    Cho tôi vài nước.
    Cho tôi một ít nước.

    Vài is for countable things. For uncountable nouns like water (nước), you must use một ít (a little) or add a measure word like cốc (glass) to make it countable: vài cốc nước.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

vàiLevel 1A Few

Learn This First

To understand 'vài' (a few), you need to be familiar with the basic Vietnamese counting frame (Number + Classifier + Noun) because 'vài' occupies the number slot. You must also understand how classifiers are used to group nouns, as 'vài' typically requires a classifier to be present.

Words in This Pattern