Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| lấy | [ləj˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ləj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| được | [ʔɗɨək̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɗɨək̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
The word 'get' can be translated in several ways depending on whether you are focusing on the act of taking something or the result of receiving it. lấy is used when the emphasis is on the action of reaching out to grab, take or fetch an object. In contrast, được is used when 'getting' something implies receiving it, achieving it or obtaining it as a result. Additionally, được can function as a verb meaning 'to be able to' or 'to be permitted to', similar to how 'get' is used in English to describe gaining an ability or opportunity.
Which one should you use?
Use lấy when you want to focus on the physical act of taking or picking up an object. Use được when 'getting' something implies it was achieved, received or obtained as a result.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese, the concept of 'getting' a spouse is expressed using lấy, making the phrase for 'to marry' literally 'to take'.
- The word được for 'to get' is actually a non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of the Chinese character 得. While many Vietnamese words come from Chinese via the formal 'Sino-Vietnamese' pronunciation, được represents an older, more indigenous phonetic path.
- If you are in Central or Southern Vietnam, you might hear the word đặng instead of được to express 'getting' or 'obtaining' something. Although được is now more common, đặng remains a regional variation for this concept.
Examples in context
- Đến và lấy sách đi.Come and get your books.This sentence is useful for practicing the form lấy in the context of picking up items.Tatoeba #13896377 by leucammieuvu, translation #13892509 by frpzzd
- Bạn lấy cái đó ở đâu?Where did you get that?This sentence shows how to use lấy when asking about the source of an object.Tatoeba #3481644 by tucm, translation #1886629 by CK
- Lấy thêm cái ghế nữa!Get another chair!This sentence demonstrates the use of lấy when requesting that someone fetch an object.Tatoeba #14029107 by leucammieuvu, translation #14029044 by LeviHighway
- Tôi muốn lấy quyển sách của bạn.I want to get your book.
- Tôi muốn nhận giấy xác nhận.I want to get the confirmation letter.
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Example conversation
Chi and Minh are at home preparing for dinner.
- ChiMinh, lấy hộ em chai nước trên bàn.Minh, please get the water bottle on the table for me.
- MinhĐể anh lấy cho em nhé.Let me get it for you.
- ChiCảm ơn anh, lấy luôn cả khăn giấy nữa.Thank you, get the napkins too.
- MinhĐược rồi, anh lấy xong rồi đây.Alright, I've got them now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “get” translations and entries lấy, được, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lấy, được, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
