Vietnamese particle 'm脿' usage (explanatory / softening / but)
'm脿' 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
'm脿' 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
T么i 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃 m脿.
I already told you.
2
Em kh么ng bi岷縯 m脿.
I really don't know.
How to use it
'm脿' is not only a conjunction meaning 'but'. Sentence-final 'm脿' 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 'm脿' 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 'm脿' often reminds or explains.
Common mistakes
T么i m脿 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃.
T么i 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃 m脿.
'm脿' as a reminder or explanation goes at the end of the sentence.
Anh 岷 th么ng minh m脿.
Anh 岷 th么ng minh m脿 l瓢峄漣.
If meaning 'but', 'm脿' usually connects to another clause.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'm脿'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'm脿'?
- T么i 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃 m脿.
- T么i m脿 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃.
- Anh 岷 th么ng minh m脿.
Answer: T么i 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃 m脿.
Explanation: Commonly used for explanation, reminders, or mild complaints.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: T么i 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃 ____.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: T么i 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃 ____.
Answer: T么i 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃 m脿.
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: T么i 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃 m脿.
Explanation: Use m脿 in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'T么i m脿 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃.'
Show answer
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'T么i m脿 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃.'
Answer: False
Explanation: 'm脿' as a reminder or explanation goes at the end of the sentence.
Correction
Correct the unnatural placement of 'm脿' in this sentence.
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Correction
Correct the unnatural placement of 'm脿' in this sentence.
Answer: T么i 膽茫 n贸i r峄搃 m脿.
Explanation: 'm脿' as a sentence-final particle usually goes at the end of the whole sentence or intonation unit.