Vietnamese Grammar Bank
PURPOSE OF ACTION IN VIETNAMESE
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to express the purpose of an action in Vietnamese using common structures like để, nhằm, and vì.
These words help explain why someone does something and are essential for forming clear, goal-oriented sentences.
ĐỂ = IN ORDER TO
“Để” translates to “in order to” or “so that” and is the most common way to express purpose in Vietnamese.
PATTERN
Subject + Verb + để + Purpose Clause
For example:
| Tôi học tiếng Anh để đi du học. | I study English to study abroad |
| Cô ấy làm việc chăm chỉ để kiếm tiền. | She works hard to earn money |
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| Anh ấy tập thể dục để giữ sức khỏe. | He exercises to stay healthy |
| Chúng tôi đến đây để gặp bạn. | We came here to meet you |
| Họ mua nhà để ở gần trường học. | They bought a house to live near the school |
| Tôi tiết kiệm tiền để mua xe. | I save money to buy a car |
VÌ = BECAUSE OF
“Vì” is used to indicate a reason or motivation for an action.
PATTERN
Subject + Verb + vì + Noun/ Purpose Clause
For example:
| Anh ấy làm việc vì gia đình | He works for his family |
| Tôi cố gắng vì tương lai của mình. | I strive for my future |
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| Cô ấy học vì muốn có một công việc tốt. | She studies because she wants a good job |
| Họ giúp đỡ người khác vì lòng nhân ái. | They help others out of kindness |
| Anh ấy hy sinh vì bạn bè. | He sacrifices for his friends |
| Tôi rèn luyện vì sức khỏe của mình. | I train for my health |
NHẰM = WITH THE AIM OF…
“Nhằm” is used in formal or professional contexts to express intent.
PATTERN
Subject + Verb + nhằm + Noun phrase/ Purpose Clause
For example:
| Công ty tổ chức hội thảo nhằm nâng cao chất lượng dịch vụ | The company organizes seminars to improve service quality |
| Chính phủ đưa ra chính sách nhằm hỗ trợ nông dân | The government implements policies to support farmers |
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| Chúng tôi làm việc này nhằm đạt mục tiêu chung. | We do this to achieve a common goal |
| Họ triển khai dự án nhằm phát triển cộng đồng | They implement the project to develop the community |
| Cô ấy học thêm ngoại ngữ nhằm mở rộng cơ hội nghề nghiệp | She learns a new language to expand career opportunities |
| Tôi tham gia khóa học nhằm cải thiện kỹ năng của mình | I join the course to improve my skills |
CHO = FOR…
“Cho” is used to express actions done for the benefit or purpose of someone or something.
PATTERN
Subject + Verb + cho + Someone
For example:
| Tôi mua quà cho bạn. | I buy a gift for you |
| Cô ấy làm việc này cho gia đình | She does this for her family |
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| Chúng tôi tổ chức buổi tiệc cho trẻ em | We organize a party for the children |
| Anh ấy nấu ăn cho cả nhà | He cooks for the whole family |
| Họ xây nhà cho người nghèo | They build houses for the poor |
| Tôi viết thư này cho bạn bè. | I write this letter for my friends |
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FAQs
What’s the difference between “để” and “nhằm” when expressing purpose?
“Để” is commonly used in both spoken and written language to express purpose.
“Nhằm” is more formal and often appears in written or official contexts.
Can I use “vì” and “để” interchangeably?
No.
“Vì” introduces the reason or cause of an action, while “để” shows the purpose or intended result. They are not interchangeable.
Where in the sentence should “để” or “nhằm” be placed?
They are typically placed before a verb or verb phrase to introduce the purpose, e.g., Tôi học tiếng Việt để giao tiếp tốt hơn (I study Vietnamese to communicate better).
Is it okay to omit “để” in casual speech?
While native speakers might occasionally drop “để” in very casual or rushed speech, it’s generally better for learners to use it clearly to avoid confusion.
What’s the difference between “vì muốn” and “để”?
“Vì muốn” introduces a personal motivation (because [I] want to…), while “để” focuses on the intended goal of the action.
Can I learn in Vietnam with LTL?
Yes, you can!
You can study with us in Saigon or Hanoi, in both group or individual classes.
You’ll even have the opportunity to live with a Vietnamese family, thanks to our homestays.