The Many Meanings of 'cho' — Vietnamese Grammar

The word is a versatile component of Vietnamese grammar. While its root meaning is the verb to give, it frequently functions as a preposition, a causative marker, or a particle indicating purpose. The meaning changes entirely based on its position in the sentence and the words surrounding it.

As a Main Verb: To Give

In its most direct usage, functions as a transitive verb meaning to give. It indicates the transfer of an object from a subject to a recipient.

Anh ấy cho tôi một quyển sách.
He gave me a book.
Mẹ cho em tiền.
Mom gave the younger sibling money.

As a Preposition: For or To

When follows another verb, it acts as a preposition indicating the beneficiary of an action. In this context, it translates to for or to. It links the action to the person receiving the benefit or the result.

Tôi mua cái này cho bạn.
I bought this for you.
Làm ơn gửi thư này cho cô ấy.
Please send this letter to her.
Bố nấu ăn cho cả nhà.
Dad cooks for the whole family.

Expressing Permission: To Let or Allow

is used to express permission. When placed before a person followed by a verb, it means to let or to allow that person to perform the action.

Bố mẹ không cho tôi đi.
Parents do not let me go.
Cho tôi hỏi một câu.
Let me ask a question.
Làm ơn cho tôi qua.
Please let me pass.

Expressing Causation: To Make

When combined with the verb (to do/make), the phrase means to cause or to make someone or something enter a specific state.

Tin đó làm cho tôi buồn.
That news made me sad.
Bạn làm cho tôi cười.
You make me laugh.

Indicating Purpose or Result

is frequently placed before an adjective or an adverb to indicate a goal, purpose, or intended result. In English, this often translates to so that it is... or simply to make it.... This structure emphasizes doing an action to achieve a specific quality.

Nói to lên cho rõ.
Speak up so it is clear.
Viết ngắn lại cho dễ hiểu.
Write shorter so it is easy to understand.
Ăn đi cho khỏe.
Eat to be healthy.

Indicating Time: Until

In contexts involving waiting or delaying, functions similarly to the preposition until. It connects a verb like (wait) or (wait) to the event that ends the waiting period.

Đợi cho mưa tạnh.
Wait until the rain stops.
Chờ cho đến khi anh ấy về.
Wait until he comes back.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Vietnamese course

37 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 47. A few of them, with the words “The Many Meanings of 'cho'” is about in bold:

Tôi cũng mua cho bạn một tá trứng và một thanh kẹo đấy.
I bought a dozen eggs and a candy bar for you too.
Lesson 47
Bố tôi đã mua một món quà cho mẹ tôi.
My father bought a present for my mother.
Lesson 225
Tôi phải đi xe đạp cho đến khi có một chiếc ô tô mới.
I have to ride my bike until I get a new car.
Lesson 301

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