Vietnamese particle cho usage (for/to/on behalf of)
Cho indicates the beneficiary of an action, similar to 'for', 'to', or 'on behalf of'.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
Cho indicates the beneficiary of an action, similar to 'for', 'to', or 'on behalf of'.
English meanings
- for
- to
- on behalf of
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi mua sách cho em trai.
I buy books for my younger brother.
2
Bạn viết ví dụ cho tôi nhé.
Please write examples for me.
How to use it
Cho not only means 'to give' but also marks who benefits from the action. Common phrases include mua cho (buy for), làm cho (do for), viết cho (write for).
- Marks the beneficiary of an action.
- Commonly used with verbs like mua, làm, viết, gửi.
- Different from giúp, which implies helping rather than benefiting.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, expressions like 'buy for me' or 'write for me' correspond to using cho after the verb to mark the beneficiary.
Common mistakes
Tôi mua cho sách em trai.
Tôi mua sách cho em trai.
The beneficiary comes after cho, not before.
Bạn cho viết ví dụ tôi.
Bạn viết ví dụ cho tôi.
Cho does not come before the main verb.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses cho?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses cho?
- Tôi mua sách cho em trai.
- Tôi mua cho sách em trai.
- Bạn cho viết ví dụ tôi.
Answer: Tôi mua sách cho em trai.
Explanation: Cho marks the beneficiary of an action.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi mua sách ____ em trai.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi mua sách ____ em trai.
Answer: Tôi mua sách cho em trai.
Explanation: Cho marks the beneficiary of an action.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I buy books for my younger brother." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I buy books for my younger brother." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi mua sách cho em trai.
Explanation: Use cho in the same structure as the example.
True or false
If there is no obvious corresponding word in English, cho can be omitted.
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True or false
If there is no obvious corresponding word in English, cho can be omitted.
Answer: False
Explanation: Many Vietnamese particles and complements change the result or tone of an action; omitting them can make the meaning incomplete.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi mua cho sách em trai.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi mua cho sách em trai.
Answer: Tôi mua sách cho em trai.
Explanation: The beneficiary comes after cho, not before.