những₁ is used when speakers want to show that a noun refers to more than one specific thing or person. Speakers use những₁ to make it clear that they are talking about a known or identifiable group, not just things in general.
It highlights plurality with focus.
Speakers use những₁ when the listener can recognize which ones are meant.
[1] – Những học sinh này rất chăm. These students are very hardworking.
[2] – Tôi thích những bức ảnh hôm qua. I like the photos from yesterday.
Speakers use những₁ to point out some members, not all.
[3] – Những người đến sớm được vào trước. The people who arrived early go in first.
những₁ is common when the noun is followed by extra information (an adjective or clause).
[4] – Những quán ăn rẻ ở đây rất đông. The cheap food places here are very crowded.
những₁ vs các
– những₁: specific, highlighted group – các: neutral plural, often more general
[5a] – Những cuốn sách này rất hay. These books are very good.
[5b] – Các cuốn sách trên bàn là của tôi. The books on the table are mine.
những₁ vs no plural marker
Vietnamese can omit plural markers when context is clear.
[6a] – Tôi mua sách. I bought books. (general, neutral)
[6b] – Tôi mua những cuốn sách anh giới thiệu. I bought the books you recommended. (specific)
• những₁ comes before the noun.
• It is not required for plural meaning; it is used for clarity or emphasis.
• Often used with demonstratives (này, đó, kia) or descriptive phrases.
• Rare with uncountable nouns.
• những + noun + này / đó / kia
– Những người này rất thân thiện. These people are very friendly.
• những + noun + adjective / clause
– Những việc cần làm hôm nay khá nhiều. The things that need to be done today are quite many.
những₁ helps speakers point clearly to a specific group and signal “these ones, not just any.”