Vietnamese particle qua usage (pass by/through/too)
The particle qua can mean 'to pass by' or 'to go through'; note it is different from quá with a tone mark, which means 'too' or 'very'.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
The particle qua can mean 'to pass by' or 'to go through'; note it is different from quá with a tone mark, which means 'too' or 'very'.
English meanings
- pass by
- through
- too (as in 'too much')
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi đi qua công viên mỗi sáng.
I pass by the park every morning.
2
Bạn gửi tài liệu qua email nhé.
Please send the documents via email.
How to use it
The unaccented particle qua indicates passing by, going through, or crossing over. Learners often confuse it with quá, which means 'too' or 'very'.
- Indicates passing by a place or through a medium.
- Different from quá, which means 'too' or 'very'.
- Does not express past experience or 'have done'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'pass' or 'go through' corresponds to qua; it is not the same as 'too' or 'very'.
Common mistakes
Tôi qua đến Việt Nam.
Tôi từng đến Việt Nam.
To say 'I have been to Vietnam' (past experience), use từng, not qua.
Món này qua ngon.
Món này quá ngon.
To say 'This dish is too delicious', use quá with the tone mark, not qua.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses qua?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses qua?
- Tôi đi qua công viên mỗi sáng.
- Tôi qua đến Việt Nam.
- Món này qua ngon.
Answer: Tôi đi qua công viên mỗi sáng.
Explanation: Qua indicates passing by or through a medium.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi đi ____ công viên mỗi sáng.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi đi ____ công viên mỗi sáng.
Answer: Tôi đi qua công viên mỗi sáng.
Explanation: Qua indicates passing by or through a medium.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I pass by the park every morning." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I pass by the park every morning." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi đi qua công viên mỗi sáng.
Explanation: Use qua in the same structure as the example.
True or false
If there is no obvious corresponding word in English, qua can be omitted.
Show answer
True or false
If there is no obvious corresponding word in English, qua can be omitted.
Answer: False
Explanation: Many Vietnamese particles and complements change the result or tone of an action; omitting them can make the meaning incomplete.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi qua đến Việt Nam.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi qua đến Việt Nam.
Answer: Tôi từng đến Việt Nam.
Explanation: To say 'I have been to Vietnam' (past experience), use từng, not qua.
Related grammar
Want to use the “pass by” structure naturally?
If you’re studying qua, 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:qua — “pass by”