Classifiers

01

Basic Structure with Numbers

When counting, the classifier is placed between the number and the noun. The structure is: Number + Classifier + Noun.

• Tôi có hai con mèo.

  I have two cats.

• Anh ấy mua ba cái áo.

  He buys three shirts.

02

Common Classifiers: Cái and Con

While there are many specific classifiers, the two most essential ones are cái and con.

Cái is the generic classifier for inanimate objects. If you are unsure which specific classifier to use for a non-living thing, cái is usually the safest choice.

• Cái bàn này rất đẹp.

  This table is very beautiful.

• Cho tôi một cái ly.

  Give me a glass.

Con is the classifier used for living things, specifically animals.

• Con chó đang ngủ.

  The dog is sleeping.

• Họ nuôi năm con gà.

  They raise five chickens.

Note that con is also used for certain inanimate objects that possess characteristics of movement, instability, or violence, such as rivers, roads, knives, or storms.

• Con dao này rất sắc.

  This knife is very sharp.

• Con đường này dài quá.

  This road is too long.

03

Classifiers for People

When referring to people, người is the standard classifier. Using con for people is generally considered rude or dehumanizing, with the exception of referring to one's own children (con cái).

• Có ba người trong phòng.

  There are three people in the room.

• Cô ấy là một người giáo viên giỏi.

  She is a good teacher.

04

Definiteness and Demonstratives

Classifiers play a major role in indicating "this" or "that". When you use a demonstrative pronoun like này (this) or kia (that), the classifier is mandatory. The structure is: Classifier + Noun + Demonstrative.

• Quyển sách này thú vị.

  This book is interesting.

• Tôi không thích cái ghế kia.

  I do not like that chair.

Additionally, simply adding a classifier before a noun without a number can function similarly to the English definite article "the," indicating a specific object previously mentioned or understood in context.

• Con mèo đâu rồi?

  Where is the cat? (referring to a specific cat)

05

Nominalization

Classifiers can turn verbs or adjectives into nouns. By placing a classifier before an action or description, you create a noun phrase referring to that concept or an entity characterized by that quality.

• Cái đẹp - The beauty (from đẹp - beautiful).
• Niềm vui - The joy (from vui - happy).
• Kẻ trộm - The thief (from trộm - to steal).

06

Omitting the Noun

If the context is clear, you can omit the main noun and use the classifier as a pronoun. This is very common in spoken Vietnamese.

• Bạn muốn cái nào?

  Which one do you want? (literally: You want which [classifier]?)

• Tôi muốn cái này.

  I want this one.

07

Other Common Classifiers

Beyond cái and con, specific objects have their own classifiers based on shape or type:

• Quyển: Used for bound objects like books, notebooks, or magazines (Southern dialect uses cuốn).
• Trái or quả: Used for fruit and round, hand-sized objects (like balls).
• Tờ: Used for thin sheets like paper, newspapers, or money.
• Chiếc: Often interchangeable with cái but sounds more formal; also used for vehicles (cars, boats) and one item of a pair (one shoe).

• Tôi ăn một trái táo.

  I eat an apple.

• Anh ấy viết lên một tờ giấy.

  He writes on a sheet of paper.