Quick Answer
In Vietnamese, thôi is primarily used to signal the end of an action, suggest stopping, or limit a statement (meaning 'only' or 'just'). In contrast, đấy is an informing or emphasizing particle used to draw the listener's attention to a fact, a situation, or a specific point of information.
Comparison Table
| Feature | thôi | đấy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Ceasing, limiting, or concluding. | Informing, emphasizing, or pointing out. | English Equivalent | Enough, stop, just, only. | There, that, see!, (sentence-final emphasis). |
| Example | Ăn thôi! (Let's eat / Stop eating). | Ăn đấy! (Eat it! / I'm telling you to eat). |
Detailed Explanation
Thôi acts as a boundary marker. When used after a verb, it often functions as an imperative to stop or a suggestion to start a concluding action (like "Let's go"). When used at the end of a descriptive sentence, it functions as a limiter, often paired with chỉ (only) to mean "just" or "that's all." In Hán-Việt, the word thôi is related to the concept of resignation or cessation (as in thôi việc - to quit a job).
Đấy is a demonstrative particle that has evolved into a versatile sentence-final particle. It is used to make the listener notice something or to confirm that the listener has received the information. It adds a layer of "I am telling you this" or "Look at that." In Northern Vietnamese dialects, đấy is used much more frequently than in the South, where speakers often substitute it with đó or nha depending on the context.
Example Pairs
Chúng ta đi thôi.
Let's go (concluding the current stay).
Chúng ta đi đấy.
We are going (informing someone of the departure).
Nghỉ một lát thôi.
Just rest for a moment (limiting the time).
Nghỉ một lát đấy.
Taking a rest now (informing/notifying others).
Tôi mua cái này thôi.
I'll just buy this one (and nothing else).
Tôi mua cái này đấy.
I'm buying this one (pointing it out to you).
Nóng thôi.
It's just hot (nothing more serious).
Nóng đấy!
It's hot, you know! (warning the listener).
Làm xong rồi thôi.
Once it's done, just stop.
Làm xong rồi đấy.
It is finished (announcing completion).
Đùa thôi.
Just joking.
Đùa đấy.
I'm joking (emphasizing the statement wasn't serious).
Ăn ít thôi.
Eat just a little (advice to limit consumption).
Ăn ít đấy.
Eating very little (pointing out a fact about someone's habit).
Biết thế thôi.
Just know that (and don't do anything else).
Biết thế đấy.
That's how it is (pointing out a situation ironically).
Common Patterns
Chỉ... thôi: The standard way to say "only" or "just." For example: Tôi chỉ có 5 nghìn thôi (I only have 5 thousand).
Thế thôi: A very common phrase meaning "That's it" or "That's all." Use this to conclude an explanation or an order.
Đúng đấy / Phải đấy: Used to agree strongly with someone, meaning "That's right!" or "Exactly!"
Kìa đấy / Đó đấy: Used when pointing at something specifically to show someone else.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Using "đấy" to mean "just/only"
Learners often confuse the two when trying to limit the scope of a sentence.
❌ Em chỉ ăn một bát đấy.
✅ Em chỉ ăn một bát thôi.
Why it's wrong: "Đấy" informs the listener about the bowl, but it doesn't function as the word "only." "Thôi" is required to complete the "Chỉ... thôi" structure.
Mistake 2 — Using "thôi" as a warning
If you want to warn someone that a plate is hot, using "thôi" changes the meaning significantly.
❌ Cẩn thận, nóng thôi!
✅ Cẩn thận, nóng đấy!
Why it's wrong: "Nóng thôi" means "It's just hot (don't worry about other things)." "Nóng đấy" serves as an alert or warning to the listener.
Mistake 3 — Using "thôi" to announce completion
When telling someone you have finished a task, using the wrong particle can sound like you are telling yourself to stop.
❌ Con làm bài tập xong thôi.
✅ Con làm bài tập xong rồi đấy.
Why it's wrong: "Xong thôi" sounds like "Finish and then stop." To inform your parents that your homework is finished, you need "đấy" to signal the information transfer.
Related Grammar Points
- nhé vs nhỉ — Confirmation vs Seeking Agreement (Comparison B1)
- đi vs nào — Urging Particles Compared (Comparison B1)
- mặc dù...nhưng vs tuy...nhưng — Although (Two Forms) (Comparison B1)
- hãy vs đừng vs chớ — Do vs Don't vs Must Not (Comparison B1)
- mà vs để — Relative Clause vs Purpose (Comparison B1)
- không những...mà còn vs chẳng những...mà còn — Not Only (Register) (Comparison B1)
Quick Quiz
Fill in the blank with thôi or đấy:
- Trời sắp mưa _____, mau vào nhà đi!
Hint: You are informing/warning someone about the coming rain.
Answer
Correct answer: đấy. Full sentence: Trời sắp mưa đấy, mau vào nhà đi! (It's about to rain, go inside quickly!)
Fill in the blank with thôi or đấy:
- Đừng khóc nữa, nín _____.
Hint: You are telling someone to stop their current action (crying).
Answer
Correct answer: thôi. Full sentence: Đừng khóc nữa, nín thôi. (Stop crying now.)
Fill in the blank with thôi or đấy:
- Quyển sách này rẻ lắm, có 20 nghìn _____.
Hint: You are emphasizing how small the price is (it's only 20k).
Answer
Correct answer: thôi. Full sentence: Quyển sách này rẻ lắm, có 20 nghìn thôi. (This book is very cheap, it's only 20 thousand.)