hoài
[hwaːj˨˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(adverb) ceaselessly, constantly, all the time
Where it’s used:
Used
Miền Trung · Central Vietnam
Used
Miền Nam · Southern Vietnam
• Wiktionary labels this sense “Central” • Wiktionary labels this sense “Southern”
Examples
Rồi nó nghẹn ngào, "Còn tui, người ta đã quăng ở đây mười tám năm, tui chờ hoài mà có ai tìm đâu…"Then she said in a choked voice, "And me, they left me here eighteen years ago; I've been waiting forever but nobody has come looking for me…"
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(verb) to waste; to do in vain
Common questions
What does “hoài” mean?
(adverb) ceaselessly, constantly, all the time
Is “hoài” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.