In Vietnamese, “l\u00e0” is not just used as the copula “to be” (meaning “is\/am\/are”). It is also used in various situations to emphasize emotions, explain reasons, and convey thoughts or feelings. In this lesson, we will introduce three common usages of “l\u00e0” in daily conversation.<\/p>\n
* Often used after adverbs of degree such as “r\u1ea5t” (very), “th\u1eadt” (really), “qu\u00e1” (so\/too).<\/em><\/span> \u2460 Tr\u1eddi r\u1ea5t l\u00e0<\/span><\/strong> \u0111\u1eb9p h\u00f4m nay. \u2461 C\u00e1i v\u00e1y n\u00e0y \u0111\u00fang l\u00e0<\/strong> <\/span>h\u1ee3p v\u1edbi b\u1ea1n lu\u00f4n \u0111\u00f3. \u2462 C\u00f4 \u1ea5y th\u1eadt l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> d\u1ec5 th\u01b0\u01a1ng. \u2463 Anh \u1ea5y qu\u00e1 l\u00e0<\/span><\/strong> t\u1ed1t v\u1edbi t\u00f4i. Using “l\u00e0” allows the emotion to come across more strongly. The sentence is grammatically correct without “l\u00e0”, but it sounds more descriptive or factual. * Often used in the forms “l\u00e0 v\u00ec”, “l\u00e0 do”, “l\u00e0 b\u1edfi v\u00ec” when the speaker wants to politely explain “why something happened” (Equivalent to “It is because…”).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u2460 T\u00f4i \u0111i mu\u1ed9n l\u00e0 v\u00ec<\/strong><\/span> k\u1eb9t xe. \u2461 C\u00f4 \u1ea5y kh\u00f3c l\u00e0 do<\/strong><\/span> qu\u00e1 th\u1ea5t v\u1ecdng. \u2462 C\u00e2y ch\u1ebft l\u00e0 b\u1edfi v\u00ec<\/strong> <\/span>thi\u1ebfu n\u01b0\u1edbc l\u00e2u ng\u00e0y. \u2463 C\u00f4 \u1ea5y bu\u1ed3n l\u00e0 v\u00ec<\/span><\/strong> b\u1ecb hi\u1ec3u l\u1ea7m. * Used after verbs expressing feelings, thoughts, or evaluations, functioning to introduce the content of the following clause.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u2460 M\u00ecnh ngh\u0129 l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> c\u00f4 \u1ea5y \u0111\u00e3 hi\u1ec3u l\u1ea7m r\u1ed3i. \u2461 Ch\u1ec9 lo l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> tr\u1eddi s\u1ebd m\u01b0a. \u2462 Th\u1eadt ng\u1ea1c nhi\u00ean l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> anh ta n\u00f3i ti\u1ebfng Vi\u1ec7t r\u1ea5t t\u1ed1t! Using “l\u00e0” makes the spoken language sound more natural and softer. This “l\u00e0” functions similarly to the conjunction “that” in English (e.g., “I think *that*…”).<\/p>\n g\u1ea7n nh\u01b0 l\u00e0 \/ h\u1ea7u nh\u01b0 l\u00e0
\nUsed in spoken language when you want to put more feeling into your statement.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u2192 The weather is really beautiful today.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 This dress truly suits you.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 She is so cute.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 He is so kind to me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nPoint<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n\u2192 \u201cTr\u1eddi r\u1ea5t \u0111\u1eb9p h\u00f4m nay.\u201d (Normal description)
\n\u2192 \u201cTr\u1eddi r\u1ea5t l\u00e0<\/span><\/strong> \u0111\u1eb9p h\u00f4m nay.\u201d (Natural spoken form with emotion)<\/p>\n\u2461 “l\u00e0” for Emphasizing Reasons and Causes<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 I was late because of a traffic jam. (The reason I was late is because…)<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 She cried because she was so disappointed.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 The tree died because it lacked water for a long time.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 She is sad because she was misunderstood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u2462 “l\u00e0” for Introducing Feelings, Thoughts, and Evaluations<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 I think that she has misunderstood.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 I’m just worried that it will rain.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 It is really surprising that he speaks Vietnamese so well!<\/p>\n<\/div>\nPoint<\/h3>\n
Commonly Used Expressions in Conversation<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n r\u1ea5t ti\u1ebfc l\u00e0 (Unfortunately, \/ It’s a pity that…)<\/td>\n R\u1ea5t ti\u1ebfc l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111i c\u00f9ng b\u1ea1n.
\nUnfortunately, I cannot go with you.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n may l\u00e0 (Fortunately, \/ Luckily,)<\/td>\n May l\u00e0<\/span><\/strong> t\u00f4i \u0111\u1ebfn k\u1ecbp.
\nLuckily, I arrived in time.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n ch\u1eb3ng \/ kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0
\n(Isn’t it that…? \/ It’s not that…)<\/td>\nCh\u1eb3ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> anh \u1ea5y \u0111\u00e3 h\u1ee9a r\u1ed3i sao?
\nDidn’t he already promise? (Isn’t it that he promised?)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n (Th\u1eadt) kh\u00f4ng ng\u1edd l\u00e0
\n(Unexpectedly, \/ To one’s surprise,)<\/td>\nTh\u1eadt kh\u00f4ng ng\u1edd l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> c\u00f4 \u1ea5y l\u1ea1i n\u00f3i v\u1eady.
\nI didn’t expect that she would say such a thing.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n th\u1eadt ra l\u00e0 (Actually, \/ The truth is…)<\/td>\n Th\u1eadt ra l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> t\u00f4i ch\u01b0a quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh.
\nActually, I haven’t decided yet.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n \n
\n(Almost \/ Practically)<\/p>\n<\/td>\nH\u00f4m nay g\u1ea7n nh\u01b0 l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ai \u1edf v\u0103n ph\u00f2ng.
\nToday, there is practically no one in the office.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n