Vietnamese 'vả lại' Usage (Moreover / Besides)
'vả lại' means 'moreover' or 'besides'. Its function and style depend on the lesson's structure and examples.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'vả lại' means 'moreover' or 'besides'. Its function and style depend on the lesson's structure and examples.
English meanings
- moreover; besides
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi không muốn đi. Vả lại, hôm nay trời mưa.
I don't want to go. Moreover, it's raining today.
2
Cách này đơn giản hơn. Vả lại, chi phí cũng thấp.
This method is simpler. Besides, the cost is also low.
How to use it
'vả lại' adds a supporting reason to the previous statement, often with a slightly colloquial tone of explanation or supplement.
- 'vả lại' is often placed at the beginning of the second sentence, followed by a comma.
- The added reason usually supports the previous statement.
- Compared to 'hơn nữa', it carries a tone like 'besides' or 'you know'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'I don't want to go. Besides, it's raining today.' adds a reason supporting the first sentence; similarly, 'vả lại' is often placed at the start of the second sentence to add a supporting reason.
Common mistakes
Vả lại hôm nay trời mưa vì tôi không muốn đi.
Tôi không muốn đi. Vả lại, hôm nay trời mưa.
'vả lại' is used to add another reason, not to form a cause clause.
Bài này khó. Vả lại, tôi rất thích nó.
Bài này khó. Tuy nhiên, tôi rất thích nó.
If the second sentence contrasts the first, use 'tuy nhiên' instead of 'vả lại'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
What does the content after 'vả lại' usually do?
Show answer
Multiple choice
What does the content after 'vả lại' usually do?
- Add a reason supporting the previous sentence
- Give a completely opposite conclusion
- Identify status
Answer: Add a reason supporting the previous sentence
Explanation: 'vả lại' means 'moreover' or 'besides'.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi không muốn đi. ____, hôm nay trời mưa.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi không muốn đi. ____, hôm nay trời mưa.
Answer: Tôi không muốn đi. Vả lại, hôm nay trời mưa.
Explanation: 'vả lại' is often placed at the start of the second sentence, followed by a comma.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I don't want to go. Moreover, it's raining today." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I don't want to go. Moreover, it's raining today." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi không muốn đi. Vả lại, hôm nay trời mưa.
Explanation: Use vả lại in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or False: Vả lại hôm nay trời mưa vì tôi không muốn đi.
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True or false
True or False: Vả lại hôm nay trời mưa vì tôi không muốn đi.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'vả lại' adds another reason, not a cause clause.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi mệt. Vả lại, tôi vẫn muốn đi.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi mệt. Vả lại, tôi vẫn muốn đi.
Answer: Tôi mệt. Tuy nhiên, tôi vẫn muốn đi.
Explanation: Use 'tuy nhiên' for contrast, not 'vả lại'.