sai
[saːj˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(adjective) not right, correct or proper; wrong, incorrect, improper, inaccurate, imprecise, erroneous, etc.
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
làm saito get something wrong or do something wrong; to err
Làm sai thì phải nhận.When you're wrong, own your mistake.
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 give an order; to order
Examples
Có giỏi thì làm, đừng có đứng đó sai người ta !Do it if you think you're so good, don't just stand there bossing others around!
Vua Càn-long nghe lời tâu ấy sai Tôn sĩ Nghị khởi quân bốn tỉnh Quảng-đông, Quảng-tây, Quí-châu, Vân-nam, đem sang đánh Tây-sơn.When the Qianlong Emperor heard this petition, he ordered Sun Shiyi to take the troops of the four provinces of Guangdong, Guangzhou, Guizhou, and Yunnan and bring them to fight the Tây Sơn.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(adjective) fruitful
Examples
sai quả/tráifruitful
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “sai” mean?
(adjective) not right, correct or proper; wrong, incorrect, improper, inaccurate, imprecise, erroneous, etc.
Is “sai” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.