vi
Definition
Conjunction:
- Because / Since / As: Used to introduce a reason or cause for something stated in the main clause. It is a literary or formal equivalent of "bởi vì."
- For the purpose of / In order to: Used to indicate an intended goal or objective, often found in formal or historical contexts.
Particle (Archaic):
- Final particle: An obsolete sentence-ending particle used in classical poetry and texts, often to complete a metric line or for stylistic effect, with no direct modern English translation.
Usage Examples
Conjunction (Reason):
- Vi công việc nên tôi phải đi sớm. (Because of the work, I have to leave early.)
- Vi anh ấy chăm chỉ nên đạt kết quả tốt. (Since he is diligent, he achieved good results.)
Conjunction (Purpose):
- Họ họp lại vi mục đích chung. (They gathered for a common purpose.)
Particle (Archaic):
- Thiên nhiên tươi đẹp vi! (Nature is beautiful! - poetic/archaic usage)
Advanced Usage
- "vi" as a component in classical compounds: In old Sino-Vietnamese literary contexts, "vi" can be part of fixed phrases indicating cause or purpose.
- Vi quốc, vi dân: For the nation, for the people.
Variants and Related Words
Bởi vì (conj): The standard, more common modern conjunction for "because."
- Tôi muộn bởi vì kẹt xe. (I am late because of traffic.)
Vì sao (phrase): Why; for what reason.
- Vì sao bạn buồn? (Why are you sad?)
Vì vậy (conj): Therefore; because of that.
- Trời mưa to, vì vậy chuyến đi bị hoãn. (It rained heavily, therefore the trip was postponed.)
Synonyms
- Because / Since / As: For the reason that.
- For / For the sake of: With the purpose of.
Related Idioms
Vì đâu: Why; for what cause (literary).
- Vì đâu nên nỗi? (How did this come to pass? / What caused this situation?)
Vì thế: Because of that; hence.
- Anh không học bài, vì thế anh thi trượt. (He didn't study, hence he failed the exam.)