xin

Please (Formal Request)

Level 1

In Vietnamese, xin is used to say "please" or to make a polite request. When used as a polite marker, it goes at the beginning of the phrase, but it literally means "to ask for" and can also be used as a verb.

How It Works

The Literal Meaning:
The literal meaning of xin is "to ask for" or "to beg." Understanding this is a great "aha!" moment because it explains why it sounds so deferential and how it forms common words like xin lỗi (literally "asking for the fault" to be forgiven) and xin phép (asking for permission).

Where to put it:

  • As a polite marker: Place it at the start of your phrase (e.g., Xin mời - Please go ahead).
  • As a verb for physical things: It goes before the requested noun (e.g., Cho tôi xin một ly nước - Please give me a glass of water). It often goes at the end of a sentence if the object is implied (e.g., Cho tôi xin - Please give it to me), though particles or adverbs can still follow it (e.g., Cho tôi xin nhé). Note that in real life, tôi is frequently replaced with appropriate kinship pronouns depending on your relationship to the listener (e.g., Cho em xin, Cho cháu xin).
  • As a verb for non-physical things: It is commonly used to mean "to apply for" or request abstract things (e.g., xin việc - to apply for a job, xin nghỉ - to ask for time off, xin visa - to apply for a visa).

Adding Respect:
To make xin truly polite to elders, teachers, or superiors, add the respect particle ạ at the end of the sentence (e.g., Xin lỗi ạ).

Compared to other words:

  • làm ơn (do a favor): Can sound demanding if used as a bare command. Xin is much more deferential.
  • hãy (do X): This is a direct command, whereas xin is a polite request.

The "Xin chào" Myth:
Many beginner resources teach Xin chào as the default "Hello." In reality, native speakers rarely use this unless they are in a highly formal setting. In daily life, use Chào + kinship pronoun instead!

Examples (4)

  1. Xin mời ngồi.

    Please have a seat.

    Word by Word: Please invite sit.

    A very common and polite way to offer someone a seat or welcome them into a space.

  2. Xin cho tôi một ly cà phê.

    Could I please have a cup of coffee?

    Word by Word: Please give me one glass coffee.

    Used when ordering politely at a cafe or restaurant.

  3. Xin anh giúp em.

    Please help me.

    Word by Word: Please older-brother help younger-sibling.

    Placing 'xin' before the pronoun makes the request to an older male very respectful.

  4. Xin bà cho cháu xin một ổ bánh mì.

    Please, ma'am, can I have a banh mi?

    Word by Word: Please grandmother give grandchild ask-for one loaf banh mi.

    The first 'xin' is the polite marker 'please', while the second 'xin' is the active verb meaning 'to ask for'.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting the polite marker 'xin' at the end of a sentence exactly like the English word 'please'.

    Cho tôi nước, xin.
    Xin cho tôi nước.

    In English, 'please' can be tacked onto the end of a request. In Vietnamese, when xin is used as a polite marker, it goes at the beginning of the phrase. However, when used as an active verb meaning 'to ask for', it precedes the requested noun (e.g., Cho tôi xin một ly nước). It only appears at the very end if the object is omitted or implied, such as in the common phrase Cho tôi xin (Please give it to me).

  • Overusing 'xin' with close friends or peers.

    Xin bạn lấy cuốn sách.
    Bạn lấy cuốn sách giúp mình nhé.

    Using xin with peers or close friends sounds unnaturally stiff, distant, or robotic. Casual requests are softened using kinship pronouns and final particles instead.

How It Connects

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xinLevel 1Please (Formal Request)

Learn This First

To use 'xin' effectively, you need to understand the basics of Vietnamese politeness and how to address people correctly using kinship pronouns, as 'xin' is primarily used in formal social interactions.

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