Vietnamese 'rồi' Usage (Already / Completed Action)
'rồi' is usually placed at the end of a sentence to indicate that an action has already happened or a state has changed.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'rồi' is usually placed at the end of a sentence to indicate that an action has already happened or a state has changed.
English meanings
- already
- (completed action marker)
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
I have eaten already.
2
Cô ấy về nhà rồi.
She has already gone home.
How to use it
'rồi' does not simply mark past time; it emphasizes that something 'has already happened' or that a state is complete. It often pairs with 'đã', where 'đã' marks that something occurred, and 'rồi' highlights the completion or change of state.
- Usually placed at the end of a sentence to show completion or change of state.
- Can combine with 'đã' as 'đã ... rồi' to emphasize 'already completed'.
- Commonly used in responses to questions like 'Have you done it?'
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'already' or the past tense often indicates completed actions. Vietnamese separates the notion of occurrence ('đã') and completion or change ('rồi'), unlike English where past tense covers both.
Common mistakes
Tôi rồi ăn cơm.
Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
'rồi' typically comes after the verb phrase or sentence, not immediately after the subject.
Ngày mai tôi đi rồi.
Ngày mai tôi sẽ đi.
'rồi' cannot be used to indicate future plans; use future tense instead.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'rồi'?
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Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'rồi'?
- Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
- Tôi rồi ăn cơm.
- Ngày mai tôi đi rồi.
Answer: Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
Explanation: 'rồi' is usually placed at the end to indicate completion or change of state.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ăn cơm ____.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ăn cơm ____.
Answer: Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
Explanation: 'rồi' is placed at the end to show the action is completed.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I have eaten already." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I have eaten already." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
Explanation: Use rồi in the same structure as the example.
True or false
'rồi' can replace all English time words without considering whether the action is completed or ongoing.
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True or false
'rồi' can replace all English time words without considering whether the action is completed or ongoing.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vietnamese aspect markers depend on action state, speech time, and context; they cannot be replaced mechanically by similar English words.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi rồi ăn cơm.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi rồi ăn cơm.
Answer: Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
Explanation: 'rồi' usually comes after the verb phrase or sentence, not after the subject.