nhỉ is used when the speaker checks shared understanding, seeks gentle confirmation, or thinks aloud. It invites the listener to agree or respond, but in a soft and non-pressing way.
With nhỉ, the speaker often sounds reflective, friendly, or mildly unsure.
[1] – Hôm nay trời mát nhỉ? It’s cool today, isn’t it?
→ The speaker expects agreement but remains open.
[2] – Đi đường này chắc nhanh hơn nhỉ. This way should be faster, I think.
→ nhỉ shows the speaker is reasoning and inviting feedback.
[3] – Phim này hay nhỉ. This movie is good, huh?
→ The speaker shares an opinion without pushing it strongly.
[4] – Mai là thứ Hai rồi nhỉ. Tomorrow is Monday already, right?
→ nhỉ makes the statement conversational and shared.
nhỉ vs chứ₂
– nhỉ: soft, tentative – chứ₂: stronger expectation
[5a] – Anh đến sớm nhỉ? You’ll arrive early, I think?
[5b] – Anh đến sớm chứ₂? You’ll arrive early, right?
nhỉ vs à₂
– nhỉ: checking shared thought – à₂: acknowledging or reacting
[6a] – Hôm nay đông người nhỉ. It’s crowded today, isn’t it?
[6b] – Ừ, đông thật à₂. Yeah, it really is.
nhỉ vs đúng không
– nhỉ: casual, emotional – đúng không: clearer yes/no check
[7a] – Trời lạnh nhỉ? It’s cold, isn’t it?
[7b] – Trời lạnh, đúng không? It’s cold, right?
• nhỉ usually appears at the end of a sentence.
• It is very common in spoken Vietnamese.
• nhỉ cannot be used for strong confirmation or demands.
• Tone is typically rising and light.
• Using nhỉ with strong statements can sound uncertain.
Unnatural: ✗ Tôi chắc chắn đúng nhỉ.
• Statement + nhỉ?
– Ngon nhỉ? It’s tasty, right?
• Common with feelings, opinions, and observations:
– hay (good) – lạ (strange) – mệt (tired) – đẹp (beautiful)
• Often used in friendly conversation and small talk.
nhỉ lets Vietnamese speakers think out loud together.