Vietnamese directional verbs (L\u00ean, Xu\u1ed1ng, Ra, V\u00e0o, L\u1ea1i) are frequently used not only for physical movement like “going up” or “going down,” but also in an abstract sense to express changes in state or increases\/decreases in degree. Mastering the nuances of these words will greatly expand your range of expression.<\/p>\n
[Explanation] Derived from “to go up,” it expresses positive changes such as “getting better,” “brightening up,” or “becoming active,” as well as the “appearance” of something. It is also used in imperative sentences to encourage someone to “do something.”<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 Ti\u1ebfng Vi\u1ec7t c\u1ee7a b\u1ea1n gi\u1ecfi l\u00ean<\/span> r\u1ed3i \u0111\u1ea5y. \u2461 H\u00e3y c\u1ed1 g\u1eafng l\u00ean<\/span>! \u2462 Ch\u1ec9 sau m\u1ed9t kh\u00f3a h\u1ecdc trang \u0111i\u1ec3m, c\u00f4 \u1ea5y tr\u00f4ng \u0111\u1eb9p l\u00ean<\/span>. [Explanation] Derived from “to go down,” it expresses negative changes or a decrease in intensity, such as “getting worse,” “losing weight,” or “calming down.”<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 D\u1ea1o n\u00e0y ch\u1ecb \u1ea5y g\u1ea7y xu\u1ed1ng<\/span> nhi\u1ec1u. \u2461 H\u00e3y b\u00ecnh t\u0129nh xu\u1ed1ng<\/span>. \u2462 Gi\u00e1 c\u1ea3 \u0111ang gi\u1ea3m xu\u1ed1ng<\/span>. [Explanation] Derived from “to go out,” it expresses that something unknown is “discovered\/figured out,” a scope is “expanded,” or tension is “released.”<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 hi\u1ec3u ra<\/span> v\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 r\u1ed3i. \u2461 \u0110\u01b0\u1eddng n\u00e0y m\u1edbi \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1edf r\u1ed9ng ra<\/span>. \u2462 Anh \u1ea5y v\u1eeba n\u1ea3y ra<\/span> m\u1ed9t \u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng m\u1edbi. [Explanation] Derived from “to go in,” it expresses “concentrating” one’s attention, something “attaching” to another, or something “having substance\/content.”<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 H\u00e3y t\u1eadp trung v\u00e0o<\/span> c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c. \u2461 B\u1ea1n n\u00ean ghi v\u00e0o<\/span> s\u1ed5 tay. [Explanation] Aside from meaning “to return,” it is used to mean “stopping” an action, “securing” a memory, or “doing something again.”<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 Xin h\u00e3y d\u1eebng l\u1ea1i<\/span>! \u2461 T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng nh\u1edb l\u1ea1i<\/span> \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c t\u00ean anh \u1ea5y. \u2462 \u0110\u00f3ng c\u1eeda l\u1ea1i<\/span> gi\u00fap t\u00f4i nh\u00e9. *By placing these words directly after a verb, they serve to supplement the action by indicating “what kind of result or state it brought about.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n
\n\u2192 Your Vietnamese has gotten better (improved).<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Keep it up! \/ Do your best! (lift your spirits)<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 After just one makeup course, she looks remarkably more beautiful.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage 2: “Xu\u1ed1ng” \u2013 Decline, Deterioration, Calming Down<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 She has lost a lot of weight recently.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Please calm down (lower your heightened emotions).<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Prices are going down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage 3: “Ra” \u2013 Discovery, Expansion, Release<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 I (finally) understand the problem (figured it out).<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 This road has been newly widened (expanded).<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 He just came up with a new idea (it appeared to him).<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage 4: “V\u00e0o” \u2013 Concentration, Convergence, Attachment<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 Focus on your work.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 You should write it down in your notebook (record it).<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage 5: “L\u1ea1i” \u2013 Stopping, Securing, Repetition<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 Please stop!<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 I cannot recall his name (bring back the memory).<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Please close the door (secure it shut) for me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nSummary: Concepts of Directional Verbs<\/h3>\n
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\n \nWord<\/th>\n Abstract Concept<\/th>\n Common Combinations<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n L\u00ean<\/strong><\/td>\n Positive change, activation<\/td>\n Gi\u1ecfi l\u00ean, \u0111\u1eb9p l\u00ean, t\u0103ng l\u00ean<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Xu\u1ed1ng<\/strong><\/td>\n Negative change, calming down<\/td>\n G\u1ea7y xu\u1ed1ng, gi\u1ea3m xu\u1ed1ng, nh\u1ecf xu\u1ed1ng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ra<\/strong><\/td>\n From unknown to known, expansion<\/td>\n Hi\u1ec3u ra, nh\u1eadn ra, to ra<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n V\u00e0o<\/strong><\/td>\n Concentration on one point, fixation<\/td>\n T\u1eadp trung v\u00e0o, nh\u00ecn v\u00e0o, \u0103n v\u00e0o<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n L\u1ea1i<\/strong><\/td>\n Stopping, maintaining the status quo, repetition<\/td>\n D\u1eebng l\u1ea1i, \u0111\u00f3ng l\u1ea1i, nh\u1eafc l\u1ea1i<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n