What it means
"Tại sao / vì sao / sao" all mean "why" (for what reason) and sit at the FRONT — like English. Register: "vì sao" formal, "tại sao" neutral, "sao … vậy?" casual Southern. Adding "lại" signals surprise. This is NOT "for what purpose" — that is "để làm gì" (at the end).
"Tại sao / vì sao / sao" đều nghĩa là "why" (vì lý do gì) và đứng TRƯỚC — giống tiếng Anh. Văn phong: "vì sao" trang trọng, "tại sao" trung tính, "sao … vậy?" thân mật miền Nam. Thêm "lại" tỏ ngạc nhiên. KHÁC với "để làm gì" (mục đích, đứng cuối).
In real Southern Vietnamese
Showing 2 of 6 — subscribe to unlock 4 more with audio and word-by-word gloss.
Subscribe to unlock 4 more examples
You're seeing a teaser. Subscribers get every example with native audio, word-by-word gloss, side-by-side compare panels, and common-mistake callouts.
- Native Southern audio on every example
- Word-by-word interlinear gloss
- Compare panel with similar patterns
- Common-mistake callouts & usage notes
Pay with SVFF Credit · Cancel anytime · Gift access is available when SVFF Team grants it · Learn more
Everything you need to use it like a local
Subscribe to read the full breakdown — when to use it, the natural pairings, and how it fits with the other time words.
Subscribe to see the common mistakes learners make with this pattern.
Check yourself
Subscribe to practice with 6 interactive exercises on this pattern.
Where to go next
More in Questions
Nearby in the A-Z
Your vote helps us improve this grammar reference.
