Definition

1. Conjunction:

   • Because; since; for: A word used to introduce a clause that states the reason or cause for something mentioned in the main clause. It is often paired with "cho nên" (therefore) or "nên" (so) in the result clause.
   • Due to the fact that: Indicates that the following statement is the explanation for a preceding situation.

2. Preposition:

   • By: Used in passive constructions to introduce the agent—the person or thing that performs the action of the verb.
   • Because of; due to; on account of: Used before a noun or noun phrase to indicate the cause or reason for something.

Usage Examples

• Conjunction:

  • Tôi đến muộn bởi tắc đường. (I arrived late because there was a traffic jam.)
  • Bởi trời mưa to, nên chúng tôi ở nhà. (Since it was raining heavily, we stayed home.)

• Preposition:

  • Bài hát này được yêu thích bởi nhiều thế hệ. (This song is loved by many generations.)
  • Cô ấy buồn bởi tin đó. (She was sad because of that news.)

Advanced Usage

• "Bởi vì": This is a more emphatic and formal two-word conjunction meaning "because." It functions identically to "bởi" as a conjunction but is more commonly used at the beginning of a sentence.

  • Bởi vì anh ấy thành thật, mọi người đều tin tưởng. (Because he is honest, everyone trusts him.)

• "Bởi đâu": A literary or poetic phrase meaning "why," "for what reason," or "because of what/whom."

  • Mối duyên này tan vỡ bởi đâu? (Why did this relationship break apart?)

Variants and Related Words

• Bởi thế (conj.): Therefore; for that reason; that is why. Used to introduce a consequence.

  • Anh ấy không học bài. Bởi thế, anh ấy thi trượt. (He didn't study. Therefore, he failed the exam.)

• Bởi vậy (conj.): Synonymous with "bởi thế," meaning "therefore" or "consequently."

  • Trời bão. Bởi vậy, tất cả chuyến bay bị hủy. (There's a storm. Consequently, all flights are canceled.)

Synonyms

• Conjunction: Because, since, as, for.
• Preposition: By (agent), because of, due to, owing to.

Related Idioms

• Bởi ai cho nên nỗi: A classical poetic structure meaning "because of whom did this situation come to be?" It laments a cause of misfortune.

  • Bởi ai cho thiếp xa chàng? (Because of whom am I separated from you?)

• Bởi đâu nên nỗi: Similar to the above, meaning "what is the cause that led to this state?"

  • Gia tán tan tác bởi đâu nên nỗi? (What caused the family to be scattered?)

1. By; because of