Definition

1. Conjunction:

   • But / Yet / However: Used to connect two clauses that contrast with each other.
   • That / Which / Whom: A relative pronoun used to introduce a relative clause, referring back to a noun mentioned earlier.
   • Then / So that: Used to connect an action and its intended result or consequence.
   • To (in order to): Used to indicate purpose or intention.

2. Particle:

   • Emphatic Particle: Placed at the end of a sentence to add emphasis, reassurance, or to soften a statement.

Usage Examples

• Conjunction (Contrast):
  • Nó thông minh mà lười. (He is smart but lazy.)
• Conjunction (Relative Pronoun):
  • Đây là người mà tôi yêu. (This is the person whom I love.)
  • Cái nhà mà anh ấy mua rất đẹp. (The house that he bought is very beautiful.)
• Conjunction (Result / Purpose):
  • Cố gắng lên mà đạt kết quả tốt. (Try hard so that you get a good result.)
  • Tôi đến đây mà gặp anh. (I came here to meet you.)
• Particle (Emphasis):
  • Tôi đã nói rồi mà! (I already told you!)
  • Anh cứ làm đi mà. (Just go ahead and do it.)

Advanced Usage

• "mà lại": Used to strengthen a contrast, meaning "and yet" or "but on the contrary."
  • Nó nhỏ mà lại khỏe. (He is small and yet strong.)
• "mà thôi": Used at the end of a sentence to mean "only" or "that's all," limiting the scope.
  • Tôi chỉ nói đùa mà thôi. (I was only joking, that's all.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dù mà: Even though, although (a compound conjunction emphasizing concession).
  • Dù mà trời mưa, chúng tôi vẫn đi. (Even though it rains, we will still go.)

Synonyms

• But: however, yet (for contrast).
• That / Which / Whom: who, which (as a relative pronoun).
• So that: in order that, to (for purpose/result).
• Just / Simply (for the emphatic particle).

Related Idioms

• Ăn mà không nói: To take without giving back; to be ungrateful.
  • Hắn là kẻ ăn mà không nói. (He is an ungrateful person.)
• Nghèo mà tự trọng: Poor but self-respecting.
  • Ông ấy là mẫu người nghèo mà tự trọng. (He is the type who is poor but self-respecting.)

trạng ngữ. but

1. Where
   • cô ta đến chỗ mà tôi đã bơi
     She came to where I was swimming. which; whom
   • lựa cái nào mà anh thích nhất
     choose the one which you like best. then
   • chọc vào nó mà nghe chửi
     Tease him then he'll call you names