By Như Ý
“Ơi” is a soft, affectionate Vietnamese calling word that doesn’t carry a literal meaning, but instantly makes your tone warmer, friendlier, and more natural—similar to “Hey,” but much cuter. Vietnamese people use it to call someone from a distance, get attention politely, or create a sweet, intimate vibe in daily conversations, from “Anh ơi” and “Em ơi” to the playful “Anh ơiii~.” It’s important to use it with the right tone and the right person, so in this lesson you’ll learn when it’s cute, when it’s polite, and when it might sound a little awkward.
Part of Speak Vietnamese Like a Local