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When expressing commands or suggestions in Vietnamese, the strength and nuance vary depending on the words used. Similar to personal pronouns, you need to use them while being mindful of your relationship with the listener and the situation.
In this lesson, we will introduce imperative sentences in Vietnamese.
Sentence Structures for Imperatives
| Structure | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| Verb + đi | = Do ~ ! (Command) |
Strong
Strength of Command
▼
Weak
|
| Subject + Verb + đi | = [Name/Pronoun], do ~ ! | |
| Subject + hãy + Verb + đi | = Come on, let’s do ~ / Please do ~ | |
| Vui lòng + Verb + Complement / Object | = Please do ~ |
Example Sentences
Run!
② Ăn đi！
Eat!
* Even with the [Verb + đi] structure, if you have a close relationship with the listener (such as parent-child or close friends), the expression softens to something like “Go ahead and eat,” rather than a harsh command.
③ Em ngồi đi.
Sit down. / Have a seat.
④ Đi nhanh đi.
Go quickly. / Hurry up and go.
⑤ Chúng ta hãy đi đi.
Come on, let’s go.
⑥ Chị hãy uống thuốc đi nhé.
Please take your medicine.
⑦ Xin vui lòng thắt dây an toàn.
Please fasten your seatbelt.
* Adding the polite word “Xin” at the beginning of the sentence, as in “Xin cảm ơn” (Thank you), makes any expression polite. This is a common phrase used with customers in service situations.
Polite Expressions
When politely inviting or making a request to someone, add “Xin” or “Mời” at the beginning of the sentence.
“Xin” means “to request / to apply,” and “Mời” means “to invite.” “Xin” has a stronger nuance of “asking a favor” and is a formal, general expression. In contrast, “Mời” has the nuance of “inviting” or “offering” rather than asking, making it a friendlier and more welcoming expression.
There is also the expression [ Xin mời + Sentence ], which combines both words and is equally polite.
Please come in.
⑨ Xin mời mọi người đi theo tôi.
Everyone, please follow me.
⑩ Mời chị dùng tự nhiên.
Please help yourself. (Literally: Please use/eat naturally without hesitation)
⑪ Xin chị chỉ đường cho tôi.
Please show me the way.