Vietnamese Grammar Bank
VIETNAMESE QUOTES
In Vietnamese, quoting can be done either directly or indirectly, similar to how it is in English.
This lesson will explain how to form both direct and indirect quotes, highlighting the differences in structure and word choice.
DIRECT QUOTING
Direct quoting is the practice of reproducing someone’s exact words or statements, typically enclosed in quotation marks.
In writing, this allows you to present another person’s speech, writing, or thoughts verbatim, without altering their meaning or form. For example:He said, “I will meet you at 5 PM.”
This preserves the original wording and can be used for accuracy, emphasis, or clarity in communication.
If you want to quote someone directly, just follow this pattern:
PATTERN
Subject + quoting words + rằng (that) + “speech”
There are few common quoting words you can memorize right now in Vietnamese:
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| Nói→ Nói rằng: “…” | Say → Say that : “…” |
| Viết→ Viết rằng: “…” | Write→ Write that: “…” |
| Nghĩ→ Nghĩ rằng: “…” | Think → Think that : “…” |
| La→ La rằng: “…” | Shout → Shout that : “…” |
| Hát→ Hát rằng: “…” | Sing → Sing that : “…” |
For example:
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| “Anh yêu em”→ Anh ấy nói rằng: “Anh yêu em” | “I love you” → He said: “I love you” |
| “Con đói”→ Cô ấy viết rằng: “Con đói” | “I am hungry” → She wrote: “I am hungry” |
| “Buồn quá!”→ Anh ấy nghĩ rằng: “Buồn quá!” | “So sad” → He thought: “So sad” |
| “Yêu đời quá!”→ Cô ấy hát rằng: “Yêu đời quá” | “I love this life” → She sang: “I love this life” |
INDIRECT QUOTING
Indirect quoting, also known as indirect speech or reported speech, is when you paraphrase someone’s words rather than quoting them exactly.
The original statement is rephrased, and quotation marks are not used. Indirect quotes often involve changes in tense or pronouns to fit the context.
For example:
Direct quote: He said, “I will meet you at 5 PM.”
Indirect quote: He said that he would meet me at 5 PM.
In indirect quoting, you’re conveying the same message without using the speaker’s exact words.
If you want to quote someone indirectly, just follow this pattern:
PATTERN
Subject + quoting words + rằng (that) + speech clause
NOTE || When you report speech of someone, you change the personal pronouns from direct speech into indirect speech.
For example:
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| “Anh yêu em”→ Anh ấy nói rằng anh ấy yêu tôi | “I love you” → He said that he loved me |
| “Con đói”→ Con gái viết rằng con đói | “I am hungry” → She wrote that she was hungry |
| “Tôi buồn quá!”→ Anh ấy nghĩ rằng anh ấy buồn quá | “I am sad” → He thought that he was sad |
| “Tôi yêu đời quá!”→ Cô ấy hát rằng cô ấy yêu đời quá | “I love this life” → She sang that she loved this life |
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FAQs
How do you form direct quotes in Vietnamese?
Direct quotes are enclosed in quotation marks, and the speaker’s exact words are used without changes. For example: “Anh ấy nói, ‘Tôi sẽ đi làm sớm.'”
What difference between direct and indirect?
Direct quoting uses the speaker’s exact words, while indirect quoting paraphrases the statement, often involving changes in tense, pronouns, or sentence structure.
For example: “Anh ấy nói rằng anh ấy sẽ đi làm sớm.”
Do quotation marks get used in indirect quotes in Vietnamese?
No, quotation marks are only used in direct quotes. Indirect quotes do not require quotation marks and often start with a reporting verb like “nói rằng” (said that).
Can indirect quotes omit the word “rằng” in Vietnamese?
Yes, in informal speech, “rằng” (that) can sometimes be omitted in indirect quotes.
For example, “Anh ấy nói anh ấy sẽ đến” (He said he would come) can omit “rằng.”
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