Vietnamese 'là' Usage (to be)
'là' is commonly used to mean 'to be' and is a fundamental structure for learners.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'là' is commonly used to mean 'to be' and is a fundamental structure for learners.
English meanings
- to be (is/are/am)
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi là sinh viên.
I am a student.
2
Đây là bạn tôi.
This is my friend.
How to use it
'là' connects the subject to a noun or noun phrase, often indicating identity, profession, definition, or judgment. Unlike English 'to be', it is not used with adjectival predicates; adjectives usually stand alone as predicates in Vietnamese.
- 'là' is followed by a noun, noun phrase, or identity description.
- Adjectives used as predicates do not require 'là'.
- Beginner-friendly sentence patterns include demonstratives like 'Đây là...' or 'Đó là...'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, both 'He is tall' and 'He is a teacher' use 'is'. In Vietnamese, only noun predicates use 'là'; adjectival predicates do not. For example, 'Anh ấy cao' means 'He is tall' without 'là'.
Common mistakes
Anh ấy là cao.
Anh ấy cao.
'cao' is an adjective; adjectives serve as predicates directly without 'là'.
Tôi sinh viên.
Tôi là sinh viên.
When stating identity or profession, 'là' is usually needed between subject and noun.
Commonly confused grammar
No closely confused forms are listed for this point.
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'là'?
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Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'là'?
- I am a student.
- He is busy.
- This dish is delicious.
Answer: I am a student.
Explanation: 'là' connects the subject with noun predicates like identity or profession.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ sinh viên.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ sinh viên.
Answer: Tôi là sinh viên.
Explanation: 'là' is followed by a noun or noun phrase indicating identity.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I am a student." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I am a student." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi là sinh viên.
Explanation: Use là in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? Anh ấy là cao.
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True or false
Is this sentence correct? Anh ấy là cao.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'cao' is an adjective and does not require 'là' as a predicate.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Cô ấy là đẹp.
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Correction
Correct this sentence: Cô ấy là đẹp.
Answer: Cô ấy đẹp.
Explanation: 'đẹp' is an adjective and should be used directly as the predicate without 'là'.