Là (Conj)

Situations

S1: Nam talks to Mai about Bình:

Anh ấy rất tốt bụng. Nếu có ai nhờ là anh ấy giúp ngay.
(He is very nice. If someone asks him to help, he will do it right away.)

Definition

Là, as a conjunction, is used to express a necessary relationship between the condition / supposition and result.

Related Expressions

• là and thì: In conditional / supposition-result sentences, là can be replaced by thì. For example:

Hễ tôi hỏi vay tiền là / thì anh ấy cho mượn ngay.
(Whenever I ask him to borrow money, he gives it to me right away.)

Combinations

• nếu... là..., hễ... là..., mỗi khi... là..., cứ... là..., đã... là...: These combinations are generally used to express a necessary relationship between condition / supposition and result. For example:

Nếu / hễ / mỗi khi anh gọi là chúng tôi đến ngay.
(Whenever you call, we will come right away.)