thế nào
[tʰe˧˦ naːw˨˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(adverb) how; what; in what manner; in what way
Register: formal
Where it’s used:
Used
Miền Bắc · Northern Vietnam
• Wiktionary labels this sense “Northern”
Examples
Tôi nghe thiên hạ nói vậy nên tò mò muốn về VN một chuyến xem đời sống thay đổi thế nào.I heard people say that so I was curious and wanted to return to Vietnam one time to see how life had changed.
Nếu em được nhận vào làm quản lý cho bà thì lương lậu bà trả thế nào ạ?If I am accepted to work as a manager for you what will my salary be?
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
(adverb) inevitably, somehow or other, one way or another
Register: formal
Examples
Con thế nào mò vào bánh.One way or another, you (child) always find your way to the pastries.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “thế nào” mean?
(adverb) how; what; in what manner; in what way
Is “thế nào” formal or informal?
thế nào is generally formal.