Definition

1. Noun:
   • Preposition: A part of speech (a type of word) that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another word in the sentence. It typically indicates location, direction, time, manner, or possession.

Usage

• Function: A preposition is a connecting word. It links a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase (its object) to another part of the sentence to express a specific relationship.
• Position: In Vietnamese, a preposition usually comes before its object (the noun or pronoun it relates to).
• Common Relationships Expressed:
  • Location/Place: ở (at, in, on), tại (at), trong (in, inside), trên (on, above), dưới (under, below).
  • Time: vào (at, on, in), trước (before), sau (after), trong (within, during).
  • Direction: đến (to), về (toward, about), từ (from).
  • Manner/Means: bằng (by, with), với (with).
  • Possession/Association: của (of, belonging to).

Examples

• Location: (I live in Hanoi.)
• Time: (We meet in the morning.)
• Direction: (She goes to school.)
• Manner: (I write with a pencil.)
• Possession: (This is my book / the book of me.)

Advanced Usage

• Prepositional Phrases: A preposition combined with its object and any modifiers forms a prepositional phrase (cụm giới từ). This entire phrase acts as a single unit (e.g., as an adverb or adjective).
  • Cô ấy ngồi trên chiếc ghế đỏ. (She sits on the red chair.) [The phrase "trên chiếc ghế đỏ" acts as an adverb of place.]
• Verbs Requiring Specific Prepositions: Some verbs are commonly followed by specific prepositions to complete their meaning.
  • nói về (to talk about), nghĩ đến (to think of/about), chờ đợi (to wait for).

Variants and Related Words

• Giới từ chỉ nơi chốn: Preposition of place.
• Giới từ chỉ thời gian: Preposition of time.
• Giới từ chỉ mục đích: Preposition of purpose.
• Cụm giới từ: Prepositional phrase.

Synonyms

• Từ nối (Connecting word): A broader term that can include conjunctions. "Giới từ" is a specific type of "từ nối".

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Đứng trước danh từ: (To) come before a noun. (This describes the typical position of a preposition).
• Thành phần phụ trong câu: A subordinate element in a sentence. (This describes the grammatical role of a prepositional phrase).

noun

1. preposition