{"id":5126,"date":"2026-07-16T19:14:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T10:14:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.vietcafe-learning.com\/material\/?p=5126"},"modified":"2026-07-16T19:14:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T10:14:59","slug":"grammar65","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.vietcafe-learning.com\/material\/grammar65\/","title":{"rendered":"Grammar 65: Usage distinctions of classifiers"},"content":{"rendered":"

When learning Vietnamese, you might be surprised by the sheer number of words that come before nouns (classifiers), such as “con” or “c\u00e1i.” Just like how English uses specific measure words (e.g., “a sheet<\/em> of paper,” “a pair<\/em> of shoes”), Vietnamese uses specific classifiers depending on the shape and nature of the object. In this lesson, let’s master the usage of the most commonly used classifiers in daily conversation.<\/p>\n

\u2460 The Two Basic Classifiers: con and c\u00e1i<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

First, let’s learn the distinction between the most frequently used categories: “animate” and “inanimate” objects.<\/p>\n

\u2460 con: Animate beings, animals, and moving things<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

It is mainly used for animals, but it can also be used for things associated with “movement,” such as certain tools and roads.<\/p>\n

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\u2460 Con ch\u00f3<\/b><\/span> nh\u00e0 t\u00f4i r\u1ea5t hi\u1ec1n.
\n\u2192 My dog is very gentle.<\/p>\n

\u2461 T\u00f4i nh\u00ecn th\u1ea5y con m\u00e8o<\/b><\/span> \u0111en tr\u00ean m\u00e1i nh\u00e0.
\n\u2192 I can see a black cat on the roof.<\/p>\n

\u2462 H\u00e3y c\u1ea9n th\u1eadn v\u00ec con dao<\/b><\/span> n\u00e0y r\u1ea5t s\u1eafc.
\n\u2192 Please be careful because this knife is very sharp.<\/p>\n

\u2463 Con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng<\/b><\/span> n\u00e0y d\u1eabn ra bi\u1ec3n.
\n\u2192 This road leads to the sea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u2461 c\u00e1i: Inanimate objects, physical items, and general things<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

This is the most versatile classifier, used for inanimate objects without a will of their own, as well as most furniture and tools.<\/p>\n

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\u2460 \u0110\u1eb7t cu\u1ed1n s\u00e1ch l\u00ean c\u00e1i b\u00e0n<\/b><\/span> kia nh\u00e9.
\n\u2192 Please put the book on that table.<\/p>\n

\u2461 C\u00e1i gh\u1ebf<\/b><\/span> n\u00e0y b\u1ecb g\u00e3y ch\u00e2n r\u1ed3i.
\n\u2192 This chair has a broken leg.<\/p>\n

\u2462 C\u00e1i t\u00fai<\/b><\/span> c\u1ee7a b\u1ea1n mua \u1edf \u0111\u00e2u th\u1ebf?
\n\u2192 Where did you buy your bag?<\/p>\n

\u2463 T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ec3 qu\u00ean c\u00e1i v\u00ed<\/b><\/span> \u1edf nh\u00e0.
\n\u2192 I left my wallet at home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u2461 Choosing by Shape and Characteristics<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Paying attention to the shape of an object (thin, long, flat, etc.) will make your Vietnamese sound much more natural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Classifier<\/th>\nTarget Image<\/th>\nExamples<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
chi\u1ebfc<\/strong><\/td>\nVehicles, clothing, one item of a pair<\/td>\nchi\u1ebfc<\/strong> xe m\u00e1y (motorbike)
\nchi\u1ebfc<\/strong> nh\u1eabn (ring)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
t\u1edd\/t\u1ea5m<\/b><\/td>\nPaper, thin sheet-like objects<\/td>\nt\u1edd<\/strong> gi\u1ea5y (paper)
\nt\u1edd<\/strong> b\u00e1o (newspaper)
\nt\u1edd<\/strong> ti\u1ec1n (banknote\/bill)
\nt\u1ea5m<\/strong> v\u00e9 (ticket)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
b\u1ee9c<\/strong><\/td>\nWalls, paintings, letters, etc. (flat, wide objects)<\/td>\nb\u1ee9c<\/strong> tranh (painting\/picture)
\nb\u1ee9c<\/strong> t\u01b0\u1eddng (wall)
\nb\u1ee9c<\/strong> th\u01b0 (letter)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
cu\u1ed1n \/ quy\u1ec3n<\/strong><\/td>\nBooks, bound volumes<\/td>\nquy\u1ec3n<\/strong> s\u00e1ch (book)
\ncu\u1ed1n<\/strong> t\u1eeb \u0111i\u1ec3n (dictionary)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n

\u2460Chi\u1ebfc nh\u1eabn<\/b><\/span> kim c\u01b0\u01a1ng n\u00e0y th\u1eadt l\u1ed9ng l\u1eaby.
\n\u2192 This diamond ring is very gorgeous.<\/p>\n

\u2461S\u00e1ng n\u00e0o b\u1ed1 t\u00f4i c\u0169ng \u0111\u1ecdc t\u1edd b\u00e1o<\/b><\/span> n\u00e0y.
\n\u2192 My father reads this newspaper every morning.<\/p>\n

\u2462\u0110\u1eebng v\u1ebd b\u1ea9n l\u00ean b\u1ee9c t\u01b0\u1eddng<\/b><\/span> tr\u1eafng.
\n\u2192 Please don’t draw on the white wall<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\u2463T\u00f4i lu\u00f4n mang theo cu\u1ed1n t\u1eeb \u0111i\u1ec3n<\/b> <\/span>n\u00e0y b\u00ean m\u00ecnh.
\n\u2192 I always carry this dictionary with me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u2462 Expressions for Collections and Sets<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

These are used when multiple items are gathered to form a “single unit” or set, rather than referring to a standalone item.<\/p>\n

\u2460 b\u1ed9: Sets, collections, or series<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Used for matching clothing outfits, furniture sets, movie series, and the like.<\/p>\n

\n

\u2460 H\u00f4m nay t\u00f4i s\u1ebd m\u1eb7c b\u1ed9 qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o<\/b><\/span> m\u1edbi n\u00e0y \u0111i d\u1ef1 ti\u1ec7c.
\n\u2192 Today, I will wear this new outfit (suit\/set) to the party.<\/p>\n

\u2461 B\u1ed9 phim<\/b><\/span> h\u00f4m qua ch\u00fang ta xem r\u1ea5t c\u1ea3m \u0111\u1ed9ng.
\n\u2192 The movie we watched yesterday was very touching.<\/p>\n

\u2462 B\u1ed9 b\u00e0n gh\u1ebf<\/b> <\/span>g\u1ed7 n\u00e0y r\u1ea5t \u0111\u1eaft ti\u1ec1n.
\n\u2192 This wooden table and chair set is very expensive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u2461 \u0111\u00f4i: Pairs<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Used for things that come in pairs, such as shoes, chopsticks, or eyes.<\/p>\n

\n

\u2460 \u0110\u00f4i gi\u00e0y<\/b><\/span> m\u1edbi n\u00e0y h\u01a1i ch\u1eadt m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat.
\n\u2192 This new pair of shoes is a little tight.<\/p>\n

\u2461 B\u1ea1n c\u00f3 bi\u1ebft d\u00f9ng \u0111\u00f4i \u0111\u0169a<\/b> <\/span>n\u00e0y kh\u00f4ng?
\n\u2192 Do you know how to use these chopsticks?<\/p>\n

\u2462 C\u00f4 \u1ea5y c\u00f3 \u0111\u00f4i m\u1eaft<\/b><\/span> r\u1ea5t \u0111\u1eb9p.
\n\u2192 She has beautiful eyes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Key Point<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Classifiers are important not just for counting “quantities,” but also for indicating a noun as a “specific item” (functioning much like a definite article, i.e., “the”)<\/strong>.
\nExample:
\n\u2192 “T\u00f4i mua s\u00e1ch.” (I buy books. *General statement)
\n\u2192 “T\u00f4i mua quy\u1ec3n<\/strong> s\u00e1ch n\u00e0y.” (I am buying this<\/strong> book. *Refers to a specific book)<\/p>\n\n\n

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