Mà (Conj 4)

Situations

S1: Bình is good at computers and often helps the secretary.

Nhờ Bình giúp đỡ mà công việc của cô thư ký dễ dàng hơn.
(Thanks to Bình's help, the secretary's work became easier.)

Mà introduces a result (công việc... dễ dàng hơn) that comes from an action (Nhờ Bình giúp đỡ).

S2: Hà felt pity for Sơn after hearing about his poor family.

Nghe nói mà tội nghiệp cho nó!
(It is heart-rending to hear his story!)

Mà introduces the impact of hearing about Sơn's family situation.

Definition

Mà, as a conjunction, introduces the effect, consequence, or result of an action or event which has just been mentioned.

Related Expressions

• mà and nên: Mà in S1 can be replaced with nên. However, nên generally expresses a typical result, whereas mà implies an explanation or justification. Mà rarely appears in scientific or administrative texts. In S2, mà cannot be replaced with nên because the effect is not a direct result but implies an effect on the speaker's feelings. Cf:

[1a] Vì trời mưa mà anh ấy không đi học.
     (It rained; that's why he didn't go to school.) (Explanation/Justification)
[1b] Vì trời mưa nên anh ấy không đi học.
     (Because of the rain, he didn't go to school.) (Typical/Expected result)

Combinations

• vì... mà..., do... mà..., tại... mà..., nhờ... mà....
• Common expressions in spoken Vietnamese: thấy mà thương, nghe mà tội nghiệp, thấy mà ghét, etc.