Result Complement 'thấy' — Vietnamese Grammar

functions as a result complement. It is placed immediately after verbs of perception or seeking to indicate that the action has been completed successfully.

In English, distinct verbs are often used to distinguish between an action and its result (e.g., to look vs. to see, or to listen vs. to hear). In Vietnamese, this distinction is made by adding to the action verb. Without , the verb only implies the attempt, not the result.

Sensory Perception

The most common use of is with sensory verbs. It confirms that the sensory input was actually received.

(to look) + = (to see)
(to listen) + = (to hear)
(to sniff/smell) + = (to smell something)

Tôi nhìn thấy một con chim.
I see a bird.
Bạn có nghe thấy tiếng nhạc không?
Do you hear the music?
Tôi ngửi thấy mùi cà phê.
I smell coffee.

Searching vs. Finding

This logic applies specifically to the verb (to search/look for). On its own, describes the process of looking. To express the concept of finding, you must combine it with .

Tôi đang tìm ví của tôi.
I am looking for my wallet.
Tôi đã tìm thấy ví của tôi.
I found my wallet.

Expressing Feelings and Opinions

can function as a main verb meaning to feel or to perceive. This is used to describe physical sensations or to give an opinion on something (similar to "I find this..." in English).

Hôm nay tôi thấy mệt.
I feel tired today.
Tôi thấy lạnh.
I feel cold.
Tôi thấy bài học này khó.
I find this lesson difficult.

Shortening to 'Thấy'

In casual conversation, the action verb is sometimes dropped if the context is clear, leaving to stand alone as to see.

Bạn có thấy nó không?
Do you see it? (Short for nhìn thấy)
Tôi không thấy gì cả.
I don't see anything at all.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Vietnamese course

19 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 18. A few of them, with the words “Result Complement 'thấy'” is about in bold:

Bạn cảm thấy thế nào? Tốt chứ?
How are you feeling? Good or bad?
Lesson 61
Tôi cảm thấy tuyệt vời! Tôi không bị ốm. Tôi khoẻ mạnh.
I feel great! I am not sick. I am healthy.
Lesson 64

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