{"id":4318,"date":"2026-04-20T19:33:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T10:33:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.vietcafe-learning.com\/material\/?p=4318"},"modified":"2026-04-20T19:33:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T10:33:27","slug":"grammar34","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.vietcafe-learning.com\/material\/grammar34\/","title":{"rendered":"Grammar 34: Imperative Sentences"},"content":{"rendered":"

When expressing commands or suggestions in Vietnamese, the strength and nuance vary depending on the words used. Similar to personal pronouns<\/a>, you need to use them while being mindful of your relationship with the listener and the situation.
\nIn this lesson, we will introduce imperative sentences in Vietnamese.<\/p>\n

Sentence Structures for Imperatives<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Structure<\/th>\nMeaning<\/th>\n\u00a0<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Verb + \u0111i<\/span><\/td>\n= Do ~ ! (Command)<\/td>\n\n
\n
Strong<\/div>\n
Strength of Command<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\u25bc<\/span><\/div>\n
Weak<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Subject + Verb + \u0111i<\/span><\/td>\n= [Name\/Pronoun], do ~ !<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Subject + h\u00e3y<\/span> + Verb + \u0111i<\/span><\/td>\n= Come on, let’s do ~ \/ Please do ~<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vui l\u00f2ng<\/span> + Verb + Complement \/ Object<\/td>\n= Please do ~<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Example Sentences<\/h3>\n
\u2460 Ch\u1ea1y \u0111i<\/span>\uff01<\/span>
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Run!<\/p>\n

\u2461 \u0102n \u0111i<\/span>\uff01<\/span>
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Eat!
\n\u3000* Even with the [Verb + \u0111i] 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.<\/p>\n

\u2462 Em ng\u1ed3i \u0111i<\/span><\/span>.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Sit down. \/ Have a seat.<\/p>\n

\u2463 \u0110i nhanh \u0111i<\/span><\/span>.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Go quickly. \/ Hurry up and go.<\/p>\n

\u2464 Ch\u00fang ta h\u00e3y<\/span> \u0111i \u0111i<\/span><\/span>.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Come on, let’s go.<\/p>\n

\u2465 Ch\u1ecb h\u00e3y<\/span> u\u1ed1ng thu\u1ed1c \u0111i<\/span> nh\u00e9<\/span>.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Please take your medicine.<\/p>\n

\u2466 Xin vui l\u00f2ng<\/span> th\u1eaft d\u00e2y an to\u00e0n<\/span>.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Please fasten your seatbelt.
\n\u3000* Adding the polite word “Xin<\/span>” at the beginning of the sentence, as in “Xin c\u1ea3m \u01a1n<\/span>” (Thank you), makes any expression polite. This is a common phrase used with customers in service situations.<\/div>\n

Polite Expressions<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

When politely inviting or making a request to someone, add “Xin<\/span>” or “M\u1eddi<\/span>” at the beginning of the sentence.<\/p>\n

Xin \/ M\u1eddi \/ Xin m\u1eddi\u3000<\/strong><\/span>+\u00a0 \u00a0(Subject)\u3000+<\/strong>\u3000Verb<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n

“Xin<\/span>” means “to request \/ to apply,” and “M\u1eddi<\/span>” means “to invite.” “Xin<\/span>” has a stronger nuance of “asking a favor” and is a formal, general expression. In contrast, “M\u1eddi<\/span>” has the nuance of “inviting” or “offering” rather than asking, making it a friendlier and more welcoming expression.<\/p>\n

There is also the expression [ Xin m\u1eddi<\/span> + Sentence ], which combines both words and is equally polite.<\/p>\n

\u2467 M\u1eddi<\/span> anh v\u00e0o<\/span>.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Please come in.<\/p>\n

\u2468 Xin m\u1eddi m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111i theo t\u00f4i<\/span><\/span>.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Everyone, please follow me.<\/p>\n

\u2469 M\u1eddi<\/span> ch\u1ecb d\u00f9ng t\u1ef1 nhi\u00ean<\/span>.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Please help yourself. (Literally: Please use\/eat naturally without hesitation)<\/p>\n

\u246a Xin<\/span> ch\u1ecb ch\u1ec9 \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng cho t\u00f4i.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 Please show me the way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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