Passive Voice Marker 'được'

01

Passive Voice: Positive Outcomes

In Vietnamese, passive sentences (where an action happens to the subject) are categorized by whether the result is positive or negative. Use được when the action affecting the subject is beneficial, desirable, or happy.

The structure is: Receiver + được + (Doer) + Verb

If the person doing the action is unknown or unimportant, you can omit them.

• Tui được đi du lịch.

  I got to go traveling.

• Cổ được thầy giáo khen.

  She was praised by the teacher.

• Ảnh được mời đi ăn tối.

  He was invited to go to dinner.

02

Contrast with 'Bị'

It is crucial to distinguish được from bị. While both create passive sentences, bị is used for negative, unfortunate, or unpleasant events.

• Positive: được (to gain, to benefit from)
• Negative: bị (to suffer from, to be subjected to)

• Con chó được tắm.

  The dog was bathed. (The dog enjoys it or it is good for the dog)

• Con chó bị đánh.

  The dog was hit. (Negative experience)

03

Expressing Ability ("Can")

When placed after the main verb, được indicates the ability to do something, similar to the English "can". It implies that the action is physically possible or that the speaker has permission to do it.

The structure is: Subject + Verb + được

• Bạn ăn cay được không?

  Can you eat spicy food?

• Tui nói tiếng Việt được.

  I can speak Vietnamese.

• Xin lỗi, tui đi hổng được.

  Sorry, I cannot go.

Note: In the Southern dialect, hổng is frequently used instead of không for negation.

04

Meaning "To Get" or "To Receive"

được can also function as a main verb meaning to get, to receive, or to obtain. This is used when you acquire something positive, like a gift, a prize, or a good grade.

• Năm nay tui được lì xì nhiều.

  This year I received a lot of lucky money.

• Em được điểm mười.

  I (younger) got a grade 10.

05

Asking for Permission

You can use được at the end of a sentence to ask if an action is okay or permissible.

• Tui ngồi đây được không?

  Can I sit here? (Is it okay if I sit here?)

• Dạ được.

  Yes, you can. (Polite response)