nhé is used when the speaker softens a request, suggestion, reminder, or instruction and seeks the listener’s cooperation or agreement. It makes speech sound friendly, gentle, and considerate.
With nhé, the speaker is not commanding. They are inviting the listener to go along with what is said.
[1] – Giúp tôi việc này nhé. Please help me with this.
→ nhé turns a direct request into a polite, friendly one.
[2] – Mình nghỉ một chút nhé. Let’s take a short break.
→ The speaker proposes an idea and invites agreement.
[3] – Nhớ mang theo vé nhé. Remember to bring the ticket.
→ nhé makes the reminder sound caring, not strict.
[4] – Mai gặp lại nhé. See you tomorrow.
→ nhé adds warmth and friendliness.
nhé vs đi
– nhé: gentle, friendly – đi: more direct, urging action
[5a] – Ngồi xuống nhé. Please sit down.
[5b] – Ngồi xuống đi. Sit down.
nhé vs nha
– nhé: neutral and common – nha: more casual, often Southern
[6a] – Đừng quên nhé. Don’t forget, okay?
[6b] – Đừng quên nha. Don’t forget, okay? (more casual)
nhé vs mà₄
– nhé: soft, positive – mà₄: emotional, often complaining
[7a] – Đừng đi trễ nhé. Please don’t be late.
[7b] – Đừng đi trễ mà₄! Don’t be late!
• nhé usually appears at the end of a sentence.
• It is very common in spoken Vietnamese.
• Using nhé with elders or superiors can sound overly casual unless the relationship is close.
• nhé cannot be used in strong commands or formal writing.
• Intonation matters: a rising, soft tone fits nhé best.
• Verb + nhé
– Ăn nhiều vào nhé. Eat a lot, okay?
• Sentence + nhé
– Cẩn thận nhé. Be careful.
• Often used with friendly verbs:
– nhớ (remember) – đừng (don’t) – làm ơn (please)
nhé is a small word with a big social role: it turns words into warmth.