Vietnamese particle 'mà' usage (explanatory / softening / but)
'mà' at the end of a sentence often explains, reminds, or expresses a tone like 'I told you so' or a gentle complaint.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'mà' at the end of a sentence often explains, reminds, or expresses a tone like 'I told you so' or a gentle complaint.
English meanings
- (particle expressing explanation or emphasis)
- (softening particle)
- But
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi đã nói rồi mà.
I already told you.
2
Em không biết mà.
I really don't know.
How to use it
'mà' is not only a conjunction meaning 'but'. Sentence-final 'mà' carries emotional or explanatory tone, signaling the listener should understand or recall something.
- Commonly used for explanation, reminders, or mild complaints.
- Different from the conjunction 'mà' which connects clauses directly.
Compared with English
Compared with English
English uses expressions like 'you know', 'after all', or 'but' in similar ways. Vietnamese sentence-final 'mà' often reminds or explains.
Common mistakes
Tôi mà đã nói rồi.
Tôi đã nói rồi mà.
'mà' as a reminder or explanation goes at the end of the sentence.
Anh ấy thông minh mà.
Anh ấy thông minh mà lười.
If meaning 'but', 'mà' usually connects to another clause.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'mà'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'mà'?
- Tôi đã nói rồi mà.
- Tôi mà đã nói rồi.
- Anh ấy thông minh mà.
Answer: Tôi đã nói rồi mà.
Explanation: Commonly used for explanation, reminders, or mild complaints.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi đã nói rồi ____.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi đã nói rồi ____.
Answer: Tôi đã nói rồi mà.
Explanation: Commonly used for explanation, reminders, or mild complaints.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I already told you." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I already told you." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi đã nói rồi mà.
Explanation: Use mà in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Tôi mà đã nói rồi.'
Show answer
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Tôi mà đã nói rồi.'
Answer: False
Explanation: 'mà' as a reminder or explanation goes at the end of the sentence.
Correction
Correct the unnatural placement of 'mà' in this sentence.
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Correction
Correct the unnatural placement of 'mà' in this sentence.
Answer: Tôi đã nói rồi mà.
Explanation: 'mà' as a sentence-final particle usually goes at the end of the whole sentence or intonation unit.
Related grammar
Want to use the “(particle expressing explanation or emphasis)” structure naturally?
If you’re studying mà, a teacher can help you choose the right word order, tone, and register in conversation. Work with Trang (Central/Southern accents). Ask the teacher about a trial lesson.
Focus:mà — “(particle expressing explanation or emphasis)”