Vietnamese clause + rồi Usage ('rồi' Usually at Sentence End to Indicate Completion)
'clause + rồi' means 'rồi' is usually placed at the end of a sentence to indicate that something has already happened or a state has changed.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'clause + rồi' means 'rồi' is usually placed at the end of a sentence to indicate that something has already happened or a state has changed.
English meanings
- 'rồi' often placed at sentence end to indicate completion or change
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
I have eaten.
2
Cô ấy về nhà rồi.
She has already gone home.
How to use it
In Vietnamese, 'rồi' is commonly placed at the end of a clause or sentence to express that an action has been completed or a situation has changed. It is similar to the English past tense or the particle 'already.' While 'đã' also indicates completion, it is usually placed before the verb, whereas 'rồi' is placed after the verb phrase or at the sentence end. Not all uses of the English past tense particle 'already' correspond directly to 'rồi.'
- 'rồi' is usually placed at the end of the sentence.
- 'rồi' can be used together with 'đã' but not always necessary.
- In questions, '... chưa?' is used and the answer can be 'Rồi.'
Compared with English
Compared with English
The English sentence 'I ate already' corresponds to 'Tôi ăn cơm rồi' or 'Tôi đã ăn cơm.' The first emphasizes the current completed state with 'rồi' at the end; the second uses 'đã' before the verb. 'Rồi' is more about the present state resulting from a past action.
Common mistakes
Tôi rồi ăn cơm.
Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
'rồi' indicating completion is placed at the sentence end.
Cô ấy rồi về nhà.
Cô ấy về nhà rồi.
'rồi' should not be placed before the verb like 'đã.'
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence most naturally means 'I have eaten'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence most naturally means 'I have eaten'?
- Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
- Tôi rồi ăn cơm.
- Rồi tôi ăn cơm.
Answer: Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
Explanation: 'rồi' indicating completion is usually placed at the sentence end.
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 usually placed at the end of the sentence.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I have eaten." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I have eaten." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi ăn cơm rồi.
Explanation: Use clause + rồi in the same structure as the example.
True or false
clause + rồi can follow English word order exactly.
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True or false
clause + rồi can follow English word order exactly.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vietnamese has its own word order rules that often differ from English.
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' is not placed before the verb like 'đã.'