làm
[laːm˨˩]
The English verb "do" is translated into Vietnamese as làm.
The verb làm is used to express performing tasks or actions. It is also used to mean "to make," such as when creating something. This means that in Vietnamese, a single word covers both the English concepts of "to do" and "to make."
Meaning: perform tasks (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
While làm means "to do," if you want to express the general concept of "working" as an activity or a job, you should use the compound làm việc.
Did you know?
- Until 2021, the Unicode standard mistakenly grouped the ancient Nôm character for làm with a symbol representing a 'claw' or 'top form'.
Examples in context
- Để nó làm đi.Let him do it.This sentence shows how to use làm when allowing someone to perform an action.Tatoeba #9037709 by dotheduyet1999, translation #284591 by CK
- Tôi sẽ tự làm.I'll do that by myself.This sentence demonstrates using làm to express doing something independently.Tatoeba #13249789 by leucammieuvu, translation #5916639 by CK
- Bạn làm nghề gì?What do you do?This sentence illustrates how làm is used when asking about someone's occupation.Tatoeba #10670113 by quoctrong018, translation #17125 by CK
- Tìm hiểu cách làm việc.Learn how to do the work.
- Tôi đang làm việc, nhưng có thể đến sau 5 giờ.I am working, but can come after 5 o'clock.
- Đừng làm nữa, thôi.Don't do it anymore, stop.
- Làm xong chưa?Done yet?
- 582 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hương and Minh are discussing their daily chores at home.
- HươngMinh, anh có muốn làm việc nhà không?Minh, do you want to do the housework?
- MinhAnh sẽ làm việc đó ngay bây giờ.I will do that work right now.
- HươngCảm ơn anh, anh làm rất tốt.Thank you, you do it very well.
- MinhKhông có gì, việc này rất dễ.It's nothing, this work is very easy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry làm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries làm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
