Vietnamese 'đó' Usage (That)
'đó' is commonly used to indicate 'that' and is placed after the noun it modifies, essential for learners to understand.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'đó' is commonly used to indicate 'that' and is placed after the noun it modifies, essential for learners to understand.
English meanings
- that
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Cái áo đó đẹp.
That shirt is beautiful.
2
Người đó là bạn tôi.
That person is my friend.
How to use it
'đó' follows the noun to indicate 'that one', usually referring to something farther from the speaker or previously mentioned.
- Basic structure: noun + đó.
- Can indicate physical distance or previously mentioned items.
- Sentence-final 'đó' as a particle is different from the demonstrative 'đó'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'that' precedes the noun, e.g., 'that shirt'. In Vietnamese, the order is noun + đó.
Common mistakes
Đó cái áo đẹp.
Cái áo đó đẹp.
'đó' as a demonstrative follows the noun phrase.
Tôi biết đó người.
Tôi biết người đó.
'That person' is 'người đó', not 'đó người'.
Commonly confused grammar
No closely confused forms are listed for this point.
Practice
Multiple choice
What is the natural Vietnamese order for 'that shirt'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
What is the natural Vietnamese order for 'that shirt'?
- cái áo đó
- đó cái áo
- áo đó cái
Answer: cái áo đó
Explanation: 'đó' follows the noun phrase.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Cái áo ____ đẹp.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Cái áo ____ đẹp.
Answer: Cái áo đó đẹp.
Explanation: Basic structure is noun + đó.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "That shirt is beautiful." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "That shirt is beautiful." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Cái áo đó đẹp.
Explanation: Use đó in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Đó cái áo đẹp.'
Show answer
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Đó cái áo đẹp.'
Answer: False
Explanation: 'đó' as a demonstrative follows the noun phrase.
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Đó người là bạn tôi.'
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Đó người là bạn tôi.'
Answer: Người đó là bạn tôi.
Explanation: 'đó' must follow the noun 'người'.
Related grammar
Want to use the “that” structure naturally?
If you’re studying đó, a teacher can help you choose the right word order, tone, and register in conversation. Work with Lam Bui (Northern accent). Ask the teacher about a trial lesson.
Focus:đó — “that”