kia₂ is used when the speaker refers back to something already mentioned in order to contrast it with something else. Speakers use kia₂ to say: “that other one (not this one)” in a comparison.
The focus is on contrast, not physical distance.
[1] – Người này cao, người kia₂ thấp. This person is tall, the other one is short.
→ kia₂ refers to the second item in a comparison.
[2] – Cái này đắt, cái kia₂ rẻ hơn. This one is expensive, the other one is cheaper.
→ Both items are already known in the conversation.
[3] – Hôm này bận, hôm kia₂ rảnh hơn. This day is busy, another day is freer.
→ kia₂ does not point to distance, only contrast.
kia₂ vs kia₁
– kia₁: physical distance – kia₂: contrast within a set
[4a] – Cái nhà kia₁ ở xa. That house over there is far.
[4b] – Cái này đẹp, cái kia₂ xấu. This one is nice, the other one is ugly.
kia₂ vs khác
– kia₂: refers to a specific other item – khác: general “different”
[5a] – Cái kia₂ tốt hơn. The other one is better.
[5b] – Cái khác thì sao? What about a different one?
• kia₂ usually appears after the noun.
• Often paired with này in contrast.
• Common in comparisons and explanations.
• Does not imply physical distance.
• này … kia₂
– Áo này ngắn, áo kia₂ dài. This shirt is short, the other one is long.
• Time expressions
– Lần này khác lần kia₂. This time is different from the other time.
kia₂ organizes contrasts — it helps speakers compare “this one” with “the other one.”