Ghi tên này.

• ghi = to write down, note, record
• tên = name
• này = this

So the structure is literally write name this, which in natural English becomes Write down this name or Note this name.

In Vietnamese, demonstratives like this and that usually come after the noun.

So:

• tên này = this name
• người này = this person
• cuốn sách này = this book

This is a very common word-order difference from English.

They overlap, but they are not always exactly the same.

• viết often means to write in a general sense
• ghi often means to write down, to note, to record

In a sentence like this, ghi feels natural because it suggests noting or entering the name somewhere.

For example:

• viết tên = write a name
• ghi tên = write down / register / note a name

In many everyday situations, either can work, but ghi often sounds a bit more like recording information.

Yes. Vietnamese often leaves out the subject when it is obvious from context, especially in commands.

So Ghi tên này. naturally means something like:

• You, write down this name

But Vietnamese does not need to say you explicitly here.

If needed, a speaker could add a pronoun:

• Bạn ghi tên này.
• Em ghi tên này.
• Anh ghi tên này.

Yes. On its own, Ghi tên này. is most naturally understood as an imperative, meaning a command or instruction.

Depending on tone of voice, it can sound:

• neutral
• direct
• a little blunt

To make it softer or more polite, Vietnamese often adds extra words, such as:

• Ghi tên này nhé.
• Bạn ghi tên này giúp mình nhé.

So the basic sentence is correct, but it is fairly direct.

Because a classifier is not always necessary.

Vietnamese often uses classifiers with nouns, but many nouns can appear without one, especially in simple phrases like this. Tên này is completely natural.

You could also hear:

• cái tên này = this name

Adding cái can make the noun phrase feel a bit more definite, concrete, or emphatic, but it is not required here.

Yes. In other contexts, tên này can also mean this guy or this fellow, usually in an informal or somewhat negative way.

For example:

• Tên này là ai? = Who is this guy?

But in Ghi tên này., the verb ghi strongly pushes the meaning toward this name, because ghi normally takes something written or recorded as its object.

So in this sentence, the intended meaning is very naturally Write down this name.

The tones are:

• ghi — level tone
• tên — rising tone
• này — falling tone

A very rough guide for an English speaker would be something like:

• ghi ≈ ghee
• tên ≈ ten, but with a rising tone
• này ≈ nai, but with a falling tone

That is only approximate. The tones matter a lot in Vietnamese, so it is better to learn the actual Vietnamese pronunciation than rely too much on English-style spelling.

Yes, it could be correct in many situations.

• Ghi tên này = write down / note this name
• Viết tên này = write this name

The difference is mostly about nuance. Ghi sounds a bit more like recording information, while viết is the broader verb to write.

So both may be possible, but ghi is especially natural if someone is telling you to note or enter the name somewhere.

Yes. Native speakers often add words for politeness, clarity, or context.

For example:

• Ghi tên này vào danh sách. = Write this name on the list.
• Ghi tên này nhé. = Write down this name, okay?
• Bạn ghi tên này giúp mình nhé. = Please write down this name for me.

The short version Ghi tên này. is fine, but in real conversation it is often part of a longer sentence.

Vietnamese does not have articles like a, an, and the in the same way English does.

Instead, definiteness is often shown by:

• context
• word order
• demonstratives like này and đó
• classifiers in some cases

So tên này already clearly means this name, and nothing like the is needed.