bởi vì
[ʔɓəːj˧˩ vi˨˩]
The English word 'because' can be translated into Vietnamese using several forms, most commonly bởi vì. Wiktionary also lists tại vì and vì.
Meaning: by or for the cause that, on this account that, for the reason that (conj)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| bởi vì | [ʔɓəːj˧˩ vi˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓəːj˧˨ vɪj˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| tại vì | [taːj˧˨ʔ vi˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [taːj˨˩ʔ vɪj˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| vì | [vi˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [vɪj˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
All these forms are used to express a reason or cause. The word vì can function as both a conjunction (because) and a preposition (because of/due to) depending on the following noun phrase.
Which one should you use?
bởi vì is slightly more formal and emphatic than the single word vì. The form tại vì is used in informal contexts.
Did you know?
- While tại vì means 'because', using tại on its own to explain a result often shifts the tone to imply blame or a negative cause. It is frequently used to point a finger at the reason something went wrong.
- The word vì is a linguistic double agent. It is actually a non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of two completely different Chinese characters: one meaning 'because' and another meaning 'position' or 'place'.
- In spoken Vietnamese, vì is often paired with nên to create a 'because… therefore' structure. Even if 'therefore' is omitted in English, the sentence often feels incomplete without this logical pairing.
Examples in context
- Vì tui không muốn.Because I don't want to.This example shows the use of vì to express a personal reason.Tatoeba #11536565 by OneJanuary, translation #11536523 by imperiex
- Tôi ở nhà vì tôi bị ốm.I stayed home because I was sick.This example shows how vì connects a state of being to a result.Tatoeba #13599551 by leucammieuvu, translation #10777864 by hecko
- Bạn ấy nghỉ học vì bị ốm.She was absent from school because of sickness.This example shows how vì can function as a preposition meaning 'because of' when followed by a noun phrase.Tatoeba #5772383 by yippe, translation #316694 by CK
- Tôi không thể làm việc hôm nay bởi vì tôi đang ốmI cannot work today because I am sick
- Tôi muốn học tiếng Việt vì tôi thích ngôn ngữ đóI want to learn Vietnamese because I like that language
- Tôi hơi buồn vì cái đám mây đen kia trông xấu xíI am a bit sad because of those ugly dark clouds
- Tôi nghỉ làm việc vì tôi cần nghỉ ngơiI am taking a day off because I need rest
- Tôi không biết điều này vì tôi mới học tiếng ViệtI do not know this because I am a beginner in Vietnamese
- Tôi sợ hãi vì tôi thấy con rắn độcI am scared because I saw a poisonous snake
- Tôi chưa đến các quốc gia khác vì tôi không có đủ tiềnI have not been to other countries because I do not have enough money
- Tôi không đi được vì có chuyện gia đìnhI cannot go because of a family matter
- 118 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lan and Minh are talking about why Minh is tired.
- LanTại sao anh mệt thế?Why are you so tired?
- MinhBởi vì tối qua anh làm việc muộn.Because I worked late last night.
- LanAnh nên đi ngủ sớm đi.You should go to sleep early.
- MinhAnh biết rồi, cảm ơn em.I know, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “because” translations and entries bởi vì, tại vì, vì, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bởi vì, tại, tại vì, vì, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
