In this lesson, we will learn how to express requests, demands, and appointments in Vietnamese.
In Lesson 19, we learned sentence patterns used to report what someone has heard from another person. By simply replacing the verbs in that structure, we can also express requests, demands, and appointments.
Basic Sentence Structure
Expressing Requests and Demands
| # | Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | sai | to order, to command |
| 2 | dặn | to advise, to instruct |
| 3 | khuyên | to give advice |
| 4 | nhắc | to remind |
| 5 | yêu cầu | to request, to demand |
Example Sentences
① Mẹ tôi sai tôi đi mua rau.
My mother ordered me to buy vegetables.
② Bố tôi dặn tôi không thức khuya.
My father advised me not to stay up late.
③ Bác sĩ dặn tôi uống thuốc theo đơn thuốc.
The doctor instructed me to take medicine according to the prescription.
④ Vì có dịch bệnh, tôi khuyên anh ấy không nên đi ra ngoài.
Because of the epidemic, I advised him not to go outside.
⑤ Mẹ nhắc tôi làm bài tập.
My mother reminded me to do my homework.
⑥ Trời có vẻ sắp mưa, chị tôi nhắc tôi mang dù.
Since it looks like it’s going to rain, my sister reminded me to bring an umbrella.
⑦ Sếp yêu cầu tôi nộp báo cáo trong ngày mai.
My boss requested me to submit the report by tomorrow.
Expressing Appointments
Here are some common verbs used when appointing:
| # | Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | bầu | to elect, to vote for |
| 2 | chọn | to choose, to select |
| 3 | bổ nhiệm | to appoint |
| 4 | tiến cử, đề xuất | to recommend |
Example Sentences
① Mọi người bầu chị Hoa làm chủ tịch.
Everyone elected Ms. Hoa as the president.
② Chủ quán bổ nhiệm cô ấy làm kế toán.
The shop owner appointed her as the accountant.
③ Chúng tôi chọn anh Nam làm nhóm trưởng.
We chose Mr. Nam as the team leader.
④ Sếp đã tiến cử tôi vào phòng nhân sự.
My boss recommended me for the HR department.