nghĩ sao
[ŋi˦ˀ˥ saːw˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(adverb) how do you think
Register: informal
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(adverb) how the hell; how in the world; what were you thinking?
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
Miền Nam · Southern Vietnam
• Wiktionary labels this sense “Southern”
Equivalents & related
Near equivalent
in the world
existing or happening anywhere
English
Near equivalent
quỷ sứ
(noun) a type of errand demon in the world of the dead
Tiếng Việt · via in the world
Near equivalent
hà cớ gì
why the hell; why in the world; why in God's name
Tiếng Việt · via in the world
Near equivalent
vạn quốc
(noun) all the countries in the world
Tiếng Việt · via in the world
Lighter cards are two steps away in the meaning graph — equivalents of equivalents, reached via the entry shown on the card.
Common questions
What does “nghĩ sao” mean?
(adverb) how do you think
Is “nghĩ sao” formal or informal?
nghĩ sao is generally informal.
What is the closest equivalent?
“in the world” (English) — near equivalent.