Mà (Conj 3)

Situations

S1: Lan wanted to leave but forgot her raincoat. Her friend said:

Lan lấy áo mưa của mình mà mặc.
(Here, Lan, you can use my raincoat.)

Mà is used to give a friendly suggestion.

S2: Sơn's mother is blind, so he sells newspapers to make a living.

Em Sơn phải bán báo mà nuôi mẹ.
(Sơn has to sell newspapers to feed his mother.)

Mà indicates the purpose of selling newspapers (nuôi mẹ).

Definition

Mà, as a conjunction, is used to give a suggestion, a request, or a command in a friendly way (S1) or to show the purpose of an action (S2).

NOTES: Do not use mà to give a request or make a suggestion to a person of higher position.

  • mà and để / để mà: Mà used in S2 can be replaced with để / để mà to indicate purpose. Mà is used in S1 to make a suggestion or give a command (usually in short sentences). It can be combined with command words like hãy, đi.
Xe đạp của tôi kìa! Hãy lấy xe tôi mà đi!
(My bicycle is over there. Take it and ride it!)