Vietnamese 'phải' Usage (must / have to)
'phải' is commonly used to express obligation or necessity, meaning "must" or "have to". It is essential for learners to master.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'phải' is commonly used to express obligation or necessity, meaning "must" or "have to". It is essential for learners to master.
English meanings
- must
- have to
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi phải đi làm.
I must go to work.
2
Bạn phải học chăm chỉ.
You have to study hard.
How to use it
'phải' indicates a strong obligation or necessity, stronger than 'nên'. It usually refers to duties, rules, or unavoidable actions.
- S + phải + V expresses necessity to do something.
- For suggestions, use 'nên'.
- For needing something, use 'cần'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, "must" or "have to" express obligation. Vietnamese 'phải' corresponds closely to these, unlike 'nên' which is more like "should".
Common mistakes
Tôi phải cà phê.
Tôi cần cà phê.
To express needing something, use 'cần' + noun, not 'phải' + noun.
Bạn phải nghỉ ngơi một chút.
Bạn nên nghỉ ngơi một chút.
For a suggestion to rest, 'nên' is more natural than 'phải'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which meaning best matches 'phải'?
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Multiple choice
Which meaning best matches 'phải'?
- must
- can
- like
Answer: must
Explanation: 'phải' expresses obligation or necessity.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ đi làm.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ đi làm.
Answer: Tôi phải đi làm.
Explanation: S + phải + V expresses necessity to do something.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I must go to work." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I must go to work." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi phải đi làm.
Explanation: Use phải in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or False: Tôi phải cà phê.
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True or false
True or False: Tôi phải cà phê.
Answer: False
Explanation: To express needing something, use 'cần' + noun, not 'phải' + noun.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi phải một quyển sách.
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Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi phải một quyển sách.
Answer: Tôi cần một quyển sách.
Explanation: Use 'cần' to express needing an object.