Language/Vietnamese/Grammar/Present-Tense-Verbs

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Vietnamese → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Verbs and Verb Tenses → Present Tense Verbs

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on Vietnamese present tense verbs! In this lesson, we will dive into the world of Vietnamese grammar and explore how to use present tense verbs in various contexts. Whether you are a complete beginner or have some prior knowledge of Vietnamese, this lesson will provide you with a solid foundation in using present tense verbs correctly.

Before we begin, let's take a moment to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the Vietnamese language. Vietnamese is a fascinating language with a rich cultural heritage. It is the national and official language of Vietnam, spoken by millions of people both within the country and in Vietnamese diaspora communities around the world. As a tonal language, Vietnamese uses pitch variations to convey different meanings, adding a musical quality to its spoken form.

Understanding how to use verbs in the present tense is essential for effective communication in Vietnamese. Verbs are an integral part of any language, and they allow us to express actions, states of being, and other important concepts. In this lesson, we will explore the structure of present tense verbs in Vietnamese, including their conjugation, usage, and common verb forms.

So, let's dive in and explore the world of Vietnamese present tense verbs!

Conjugation of Present Tense Verbs

In Vietnamese, verbs are conjugated to indicate tense, mood, and aspect. The present tense is used to describe actions or states of being that are happening at the current moment or are generally true. To conjugate a verb in the present tense, we typically remove the final consonant of the verb stem and add the appropriate ending based on the verb type.

The conjugation rules for present tense verbs in Vietnamese vary depending on the verb type. There are three main verb types: verbs ending in -i/-y, verbs ending in -a/-o/-u/-ă, and verbs ending in -ê/-ơ/-â. Let's take a closer look at each verb type and its conjugation rules.

Verbs Ending in -i/-y

Verbs that end in -i/-y are typically verbs borrowed from other languages, such as English or French. These verbs follow a specific conjugation pattern in the present tense. To conjugate a verb ending in -i/-y in the present tense, we remove the final -i/-y and add the appropriate ending based on the subject pronoun. Here is the conjugation pattern for verbs ending in -i/-y:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
đi (to go)	/ɗi˧˩/	go
nói (to speak)	/noj˧˩/	speak
chơi (to play)	/cəːj˧˩/	play
xem (to watch)	/sem˧˩/	watch

Verbs Ending in -a/-o/-u/-ă

Verbs that end in -a/-o/-u/-ă are the most common and regular verbs in Vietnamese. These verbs follow a standard conjugation pattern in the present tense. To conjugate a verb ending in -a/-o/-u/-ă in the present tense, we remove the final -a/-o/-u/-ă and add the appropriate ending based on the subject pronoun. Here is the conjugation pattern for verbs ending in -a/-o/-u/-ă:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
đọc (to read)	/ɗɔːk˧˩/	read
nói (to say)	/noj˧˩/	say
ăn (to eat)	/ʔăn˧˩/	eat
chơi (to play)	/cəːj˧˩/	play

Verbs Ending in -ê/-ơ/-â

Verbs that end in -ê/-ơ/-â are less common in Vietnamese, but they still follow a regular conjugation pattern in the present tense. To conjugate a verb ending in -ê/-ơ/-â in the present tense, we remove the final -ê/-ơ/-â and add the appropriate ending based on the subject pronoun. Here is the conjugation pattern for verbs ending in -ê/-ơ/-â:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
học (to study)	/həwk˧˩/	study
nói (to speak)	/noj˧˩/	speak
ăn (to eat)	/ʔăn˧˩/	eat
chơi (to play)	/cəːj˧˩/	play

Usage of Present Tense Verbs

Now that we have learned how to conjugate present tense verbs in Vietnamese, let's explore some common ways to use them in everyday conversations. The present tense is used to describe actions or states of being that are happening at the current moment or are generally true. Here are a few examples of how present tense verbs are used in Vietnamese:

• To talk about daily routines: "Tôi đọc sách hàng ngày" (I read books every day).
• To express habits: "Anh ấy thường chơi bóng đá" (He usually plays soccer).
• To state general truths: "Vịnh Hạ Long là một di sản thế giới" (Hạ Long Bay is a world heritage site).
• To describe ongoing actions: "Tôi đang học tiếng Việt" (I am currently learning Vietnamese).

In addition to these common uses, present tense verbs can also be used to express future actions when combined with certain time expressions or context. For example, "Ngày mai tôi đi công tác" (Tomorrow I will go on a business trip).

It's important to note that Vietnamese does not have a distinct progressive aspect like English (e.g., "I am running"). Instead, the present tense is used to convey ongoing actions or states of being.

Common Verb Forms in the Present Tense

In Vietnamese, there are several verb forms that are commonly used in the present tense to convey different meanings. Let's explore some of these verb forms and their usage:

The Simple Present

The simple present is the most basic form of the present tense in Vietnamese. It is used to describe actions or states of being that are happening at the current moment or are generally true. The simple present form of a verb is the same as its base form without any additional conjugation. Here are a few examples:

• "Tôi ăn cơm" (I eat rice).
• "Anh ấy học tiếng Anh" (He studies English).

The Present Continuous

The present continuous form is used to describe ongoing actions that are happening at the current moment. In Vietnamese, the present continuous is formed by combining the verb "đang" (to be) with the base form of the main verb. Here are a few examples:

• "Tôi đang làm việc" (I am working).
• "Chị ấy đang nấu ăn" (She is cooking).

The Present Habitual

The present habitual form is used to express habits or repeated actions. In Vietnamese, the present habitual is formed by combining the verb "thường" (usually) with the base form of the main verb. Here are a few examples:

• "Tôi thường đi bộ vào buổi sáng" (I usually walk in the morning).
• "Anh ấy thường uống cà phê" (He usually drinks coffee).

The Present Intention

The present intention form is used to express future actions or plans. In Vietnamese, the present intention is formed by combining the verb "sẽ" (will) with the base form of the main verb. Here are a few examples:

• "Tôi sẽ gọi điện cho bạn" (I will call you).
• "Chị ấy sẽ đến vào ngày mai" (She will come tomorrow).

These are just a few of the common verb forms used in the present tense in Vietnamese. By mastering these verb forms, you will be able to express a wide range of meanings and communicate effectively in everyday situations.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on Vietnamese present tense verbs. In this lesson, we explored the conjugation of present tense verbs in Vietnamese, including verbs ending in -i/-y, -a/-o/-u/-ă, and -ê/-ơ/-â. We also learned about the usage of present tense verbs in various contexts and explored common verb forms in the present tense.

As you continue your journey to mastering the Vietnamese language, remember to practice using present tense verbs in different situations. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with using verbs in the present tense.

Vietnamese is a beautiful language with a rich cultural heritage, and by learning its grammar and vocabulary, you are opening yourself up to a whole new world of communication and understanding. So keep practicing, keep exploring, and enjoy your journey to becoming fluent in Vietnamese!

Table of Contents - Vietnamese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Vietnamese Culture Basics

• Vietnamese Values
• Social Etiquette
• Cuisine and Dining

  ---

Numbers and Counting

• Counting 1-10
• Counting 11-20
• Counting 21 and Beyond

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns and Gender
• Pronouns and Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

  ---

Holidays and Celebrations

• Tet
• Mid-Autumn Festival

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Verbs and Verb Tenses

• Present Tense Verbs
• Past Tense Verbs
• Future Tense Verbs
• Modal Verbs

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Food and Drink

• Vietnamese Food
• Drinks and Beverages
• Food Ordering

  ---

Arts and Entertainment

• Traditional Music
• Movie and Television

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

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Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Giving Directions

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Traditional Clothing

• Ao Dai
• Other Traditional Clothing

Sources

• Vietnamese verbs – YourVietnamese
• Vietnamese Grammar: Past, Present and Future Tenses (with Audio ...
• Tenses & Verb Conjugations in Vietnamese Language - Vietnamese ...

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• Future Tense
• Adjectives
• Nouns and Gender
• Articles
• Tenses
• Ask Questions
• Plurals
• Possessive Pronouns
• Personal pronouns

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