Definition

1. Conjunction / Prepositional Phrase:
   • In order that, so that: Used to introduce a clause expressing the purpose or intended result of the action in the main clause. It indicates that something is done with a specific goal in mind.
   • To allow, to let, to permit: Used to express permission or the act of allowing someone to do something or something to happen.

Usage Examples

• Expressing Purpose:
  • Tôi tiết kiệm tiền để cho con tôi có thể đi học đại học. (I save money so that my child can go to university.)
  • Hãy nói to lên để cho mọi người đều nghe thấy. (Speak loudly so that everyone can hear.)
• Expressing Permission or Allowance:
  • Mẹ tôi để cho tôi tự chọn quần áo. (My mother lets me choose my own clothes.)
  • Đừng để cho sự tức giận kiểm soát bạn. (Don't let anger control you.)

Advanced Usage

• "để cho" vs. "để": While often interchangeable, "để cho" can place slightly more emphasis on the beneficiary or the agent being allowed to act. "Để" alone is more common for simple purpose clauses.
  • Tôi mua sách để đọc. (I buy books to read.) [Simple purpose]
  • Tôi mua sách để cho em tôi đọc. (I buy books so that my younger sibling can read.) [Purpose with a specified beneficiary]

Variants and Related Words

• Để (conjunction/preposition): to, in order to. A more concise form.
  • Anh ấy làm việc chăm chỉ để thành công. (He works hard to succeed.)
• Để được (phrase): in order to be able to. Emphasizes the ability to achieve the purpose.
  • Cô ấy học rất chăm để được điểm cao. (She studies very hard in order to get high marks.)

Synonyms

• So that, in order that: Indicates purpose.
• Let, allow, permit: Indicates granting permission or not preventing an action.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Để cho yên chuyện: to let the matter rest, to drop it for the sake of peace.
  • Cuối cùng, anh ấy cũng đồng ý để cho yên chuyện. (Finally, he agreed to let the matter rest.)
• Để cho đời nó trôi: to let life take its course, to go with the flow.
  • Đôi khi bạn chỉ cần thư giãn và để cho đời nó trôi. (Sometimes you just need to relax and let life take its course.)

1. In order that, in order to, so that, so as to
   • Bón phân nhiều để cho lúa tốt
     To manure abundantly so that the rice plants grow well