"Đói quá" and "no rồi": hungry and full in Vietnamese

To say you are hungry in Vietnamese, say đói quá ("I'm so hungry") or đói bụng ("hungry," literally "hungry belly"). To say you are full, say no rồi ("I'm full already"), or politely to an elder, "Dạ, no rồi ạ."

The word for hungry: đói

• Đói ("doy," with a rising tone; the đ is a regular English "d"): hungry.

You can use it on its own, but it usually comes with a little extra:

• Đói quá! ("So hungry!")
• Đói bụng. ("Hungry.") Very common in the South; bụng means belly or stomach.
• Em đói rồi. ("I'm hungry now.") Rồi signals a change of state, like "I've gotten hungry."
• Đói muốn xỉu. ("So hungry I could faint.") Casual exaggeration.

There is also the expression đói meo, meaning very hungry. The "meo" here is the same sound as a cat's meow, and it is often explained as hungry enough to be skinny and miserable, though explanations of where it comes from vary. For Duma Meow's four cats, it is basically a job description.

The word for full: no

• No ("naw," flat tone): full, satisfied after eating.

Careful: Vietnamese no does not mean English "no." It means full. The Vietnamese word for "no" is không.

• No rồi. ("I'm full.") The most common way to say it.
• No quá! ("I'm so full!")
• No căng bụng. ("Stuffed," literally "full, belly stretched tight.")
• Ăn no chưa? ("Have you eaten your fill?") Something hosts and parents ask.

How "rồi" works here

Rồi means "already," and it shows up with both words. "Đói rồi" means you've become hungry; "no rồi" means you've reached full. If you only remember one pattern, remember [state] + rồi for "now I'm state]." It works for tired (mệt rồi) and sleepy (buồn ngủ rồi) too. See [buồn ngủ and mệt quá.

Thirsty and craving

• Khát or khát nước ("khaht nuhk"): thirsty.
• Thèm: to crave. "Thèm phở quá!" means "I'm really craving pho!"
• Ăn vặt: to snack. Handy when you are not hungry enough for a meal.

Polite ways to decline more food

Vietnamese hosts often keep offering food, and saying no takes a little grace. Some options:

• Dạ, con no rồi ạ. ("I'm full," to a parent or grandparent figure.)
• Ngon lắm, nhưng em no rồi. ("It's delicious, but I'm full.") Compliment first.
• Em ăn đủ rồi. ("I've had enough.")
• Để lát nữa em ăn tiếp. ("I'll have more in a bit.") A gentle stall.

Expect a second offer even after you say you are full. That is often politeness, not pressure. A smile and a repeat of "no rồi" is usually enough. For more refusal phrases, read how to say no in Vietnamese without sounding rude.

Hosts' phrases you will hear

If you are the guest, these are the lines coming your way:

• Ăn đi! ("Eat!") Warm, not bossy.
• Ăn thêm đi. ("Have some more.")
• Ăn nhiều vào. ("Eat lots.")
• Ăn no chưa? ("Are you full yet?")

They are signs of care, the same instinct behind the greeting "Ăn cơm chưa?" ("Have you eaten?"). We explain it in ăn cơm chưa.

Mini dialogue

• Host: Ăn thêm đi con!
• You: Dạ, ngon lắm, nhưng con no rồi ạ.
• Host: Thêm chút nữa thôi.
• You: Dạ thôi, con no căng bụng rồi.

The last line, with a laugh, usually ends the negotiation.

Pronunciation tips

Đói rises at the end, like a gentle question. No stays level, without rising or falling. If your no goes up, it may sound like a different word, so keep it flat and calm.

Quick reference

• Hungry: đói / đói bụng
• So hungry: đói quá
• Full: no rồi
• Stuffed: no căng bụng
• Thirsty: khát nước

Practice "đói quá" before a meal and "no rồi" after it, and you will have both ends of dinner covered.