{"id":4334,"date":"2026-04-20T19:48:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T10:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.vietcafe-learning.com\/material\/?p=4334"},"modified":"2026-04-20T19:48:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T10:48:15","slug":"grammar42","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.vietcafe-learning.com\/material\/grammar42\/","title":{"rendered":"Grammar 42: Expressions of Obligation"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Vietnamese word “ph\u1ea3i” has various roles and meanings depending on the context of the conversation and its position in the sentence. In this lesson, we will introduce the most common usages of “ph\u1ea3i”.<\/p>\n

Usage \u2460 The Noun “ph\u1ea3i” = Right<\/span><\/h2>\n

As introduced in Lesson 31<\/a> [Expressing Location], “ph\u1ea3i” functions as a noun meaning “right”.
\nWhen expressing location, it is used as “b\u00ean ph\u1ea3i” (meaning: right side) together with the verb “\u1edf” (meaning: to be located at).<\/p>\n

Example Sentence<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\u2460 B\u00e3i \u0111\u1eadu xe \u1edf b\u00ean ph\u1ea3i<\/span> si\u00eau th\u1ecb.
\n\u3000The parking lot is on the right side of the supermarket.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Usage \u2461 The Adjective “ph\u1ea3i” = Correct \/ Right<\/span><\/h2>\n

As learned in Lesson 11<\/a>, “ph\u1ea3i” is used as an adjective in tag questions such as “c\u00f3 ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 ~ kh\u00f4ng?” (Is it true that…?) and “~, ph\u1ea3i kh\u00f4ng?” (…, right?).<\/p>\n

Example Sentence<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\u2461 John: Anh c\u00f3 ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0<\/span> anh trai c\u1ee7a em Lan kh\u00f4ng?
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000Are you Lan’s older brother?
\n\u3000 Nam: Ph\u1ea3i. T\u00f4i l\u00e0 anh trai c\u1ee7a Lan.
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000That’s right (Yes). I am Lan’s older brother.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Usage \u2462 The Auxiliary Verb “ph\u1ea3i” + Verb = Must \/ Have to<\/span><\/h2>\n

Structure<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Subject\u3000<\/strong>+\u3000ph\u1ea3i\u3000<\/strong><\/span>+\u3000 Verb Phrase<\/strong> (Verb + Complement, etc.)<\/span><\/div>\n

This is used to express the obligation or necessity that the action following “ph\u1ea3i” “must be done” or “has to be done”.<\/p>\n

Example Sentences<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

\u2462 T\u00f4i ph\u1ea3i<\/strong> <\/span>ho\u00e0n th\u00e0nh b\u00e1o c\u00e1o trong h\u00f4m nay.
\n\u3000I must complete the report today.<\/p>\n

\u2463 Suzuki: N\u1ebfu cu\u1ed1i tu\u1ea7n n\u00e0y em c\u00f3 th\u1eddi gian th\u00ec ch\u00fang ta g\u1eb7p nhau nh\u00e9!
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000If you have time this weekend, let’s meet up!
\n\u00a0\u3000Lan: Cu\u1ed1i tu\u1ea7n n\u00e0y em ph\u1ea3i<\/strong><\/span> v\u1ec1 qu\u00ea n\u00ean h\u1eb9n anh cu\u1ed1i tu\u1ea7n sau nh\u00e9!
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I have to go back to my hometown this weekend, so let’s meet next weekend!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Usage \u2463 Verb + “ph\u1ea3i” = Accidentally \/ Unfortunately did something<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

Structure<\/h3>\n
Subject\u3000<\/strong>+\u3000Verb\u3000<\/strong>+\u3000ph\u1ea3i\u3000<\/span><\/strong>+\u3000Complement \/ Object<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n

In contrast to the structure in Usage \u2462, when “ph\u1ea3i” comes after a verb, it expresses a feeling of regret about an action, meaning you did something accidentally or unknowingly (often resulting in an undesirable outcome).<\/p>\n

Example Sentences<\/h3>\n
\n
\n

\u2464 V\u00ec kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft ph\u00e2n bi\u1ec7t n\u00ean t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 mua ph\u1ea3i<\/span> <\/strong>h\u00e0ng gi\u1ea3.
\n\u3000Because I couldn’t tell the difference, I accidentally bought a fake item.<\/p>\n

\u2465 V\u00ec kh\u00f4ng ch\u00fa \u00fd n\u00ean t\u00f4i mua ph\u1ea3i<\/strong> <\/span>chai s\u1eefa \u0111\u00e3 h\u1ebft h\u1ea1n s\u1eed d\u1ee5ng.
\n\u3000Because I wasn’t paying attention, I ended up buying a bottle of milk that had expired.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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