DoVG

chứ₂  par.

Core Meaning

chứ₂ is used when the speaker expects a certain answer or result and assumes it should be obvious. It often appears in rhetorical questions or statements that gently (or strongly) push the listener to agree.

With chứ₂, the speaker is not asking for new information. They are saying: “You know this already, right?” or “This is what should happen.”


Situations / Uses

S1: Asking a rhetorical question with an expected answer

[1] – Anh biết chuyện đó chứ₂? You know about that, right?

→ The speaker expects the answer to be “yes.” The question checks agreement, not knowledge.


S2: Expressing expectation based on logic or common sense

[2] – Trời mưa thế này thì anh không đi chứ₂? It’s raining like this, so you’re not going, right?

→ The speaker assumes the listener will not go. chứ₂ signals that this conclusion is reasonable.


S3: Seeking confirmation politely

[3] – Mai mình gặp nhau ở đây, chứ₂? We’re meeting here tomorrow, right?

chứ₂ softens the question and invites confirmation.


S4: Expressing mild pressure or reminder

[4] – Anh nói với cô ấy rồi chứ₂? You’ve told her already, right?

→ The speaker expects that the action has been done. There may be a hint of reminder or concern.


Contrast / Comparison (Cf)

chứ₂ vs chứ₁

chứ₁: correction or pushback – chứ₂: expectation or rhetorical confirmation

[5a] – Tôi biết rồi chứ₁. I do know (correcting you).

[5b] – Anh biết rồi chứ₂? You know already, right?


chứ₂ vs không

không: neutral yes/no question – chứ₂: expected or assumed answer

[6a] – Anh đi không? Are you going?

[6b] – Anh đi chứ₂? You’re going, right?

→ [6b] suggests that “yes” is expected.


chứ₂ vs nhỉ

chứ₂: stronger expectation, more confident – nhỉ: softer, more tentative

[7a] – Anh đến sớm chứ₂? You’ll arrive early, right?

[7b] – Anh đến sớm nhỉ? You’ll arrive early, won’t you?


Notes

chứ₂ usually appears at the end of the sentence.

Correct: ✓ Anh nhớ mang theo vé chứ₂?

Incorrect: ✗ Chứ₂ anh nhớ mang theo vé?

• The tone can range from friendly to slightly pressing, depending on context and intonation.

chứ₂ is very common in spoken Vietnamese.

• It should not be used when the speaker genuinely does not know the answer.

Unnatural: ✗ Giờ này mấy giờ chứ₂?

Natural: ✓ Giờ này mấy giờ?


Common Patterns / Combinations

Statement + chứ₂?

– Anh hiểu rồi chứ₂? You understand, right?

Situation + thì + result + chứ₂?

– Muộn thế này thì đóng cửa rồi chứ₂? It’s this late, so it’s closed already, right?

• Often used with verbs of knowing, remembering, doing:

– biết chứ₂ – nhớ chứ₂ – làm rồi chứ₂


chứ₂ lets Vietnamese speakers gently lean toward agreement. It turns a question into a shared assumption — and invites the listener to nod along.