Grammar 39: Expressions of methods, tools, or materials

Lesson 40

In this lesson, we will learn how to express “at/in” (location) and “by/with/of” (methods, tools, or materials) in Vietnamese.

1. [ at / in + Location ] = [ ở + Location ]

To express [doing something at a certain place], we use the preposition . The question word for asking about location is (ở) đâu (where).

 ◆Question:

Subject + Verb + ở đâu?

 ◆Answer (Affirmative):

Subject + Verb + ở + Location

Example Sentences

① Em học bài ở đâu? 
  Where do you study?

→ Em học bài thư viện.
  I study at the library.

② Anh làm thêm ở đâu ?
  Where do you work part-time?

→Tôi làm thêm quán cà phê.
  I work part-time at a coffee shop.

③ Chị Mai gặp bạn ở đâu ? 
 Where does Ms. Mai meet her friends?

→ Cô ấy gặp bạn đây.
  She meets her friends here.

2. [ by / with / of + Method / Material / Tool / Means ] = [ bằng + … ]

Bằng is used to indicate the [method, material, tool, or means] by which an action is performed, equivalent to “by”, “with”, or “made of/from” in English. The question word for asking “by what” or “how” is bằng gì.

Question:

Subject + Verb Phrase + bằng gì?

Answer (Affirmative):

Subject +   Verb Phrase   bằng  Method / Material / Tool / Means

Example Sentences

a) Method

– Chị Lan học tiếng Anh giao tiếp bằng phương pháp shadowing.
Ms. Lan studies English conversation by the shadowing method.

– Chị Yuki liên lạc với gia đình ở Nhật bằng điện thoại.
Ms. Yuki contacts her family in Japan by phone.

b) Means 

– Anh Minh đi làm bằng ô tô.
Mr. Minh goes to work by car.

– Người Ấn Độ ăn cơm bằng tay.
Indian people eat meals with their hands.

c) Tools 

Anh Tân chiên thịt bằng chảo.
Mr. Tan fries meat with a frying pan.

– Chị Mai viết thư bằng bút chì.
Ms. Mai writes a letter with a pencil.

d) Materials

– Cái túi này được làm bằng da.
This bag is made of leather.

– Rượu này được làm bằng gạo nếp.
This alcohol is made from glutinous rice. 

* Note: In the sentence “This alcohol is made from glutinous rice”, [bằng] means “made of” or “made from”.