đến
[ʔɗen˧˦]
The English phrase 'to' can be translated into Vietnamese as đến when indicating direction or arrival.
đến is used as a preposition to indicate movement toward a destination (to) or as a verb meaning to arrive at a place. It can also be used to express a limit in time or extent, meaning 'until' or 'up to'.
Meaning: in the direction of, and arriving at (prep)
Which one should you use?
While đến expresses movement toward a place or arrival, the related form để is used to express purpose, meaning 'in order to'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When applied to time or an extent, đến functions as 'until' or 'up to'.
Did you know?
- The Vietnamese word đến is a distant relative of the English word 'dating' via the Malay word datang and the Tagalog word dating.
- Vietnamese uses specific verbs like về to indicate a 'to' movement specifically when the destination is home or a place of origin.
- In Vietnamese, movement and arrival are often expressed using words that describe the specific nature of the motion, such as vào for 'into' or lên for 'up onto'.
Examples in context
- Bạn nên đến Úc.You should come to Australia.This sentence shows how to use đến for a destination.Tatoeba #9006276 by dotheduyet1999, translation #3826471 by CK
- Tàu sắp đến đây.The train is about to arrive here.This sentence illustrates using đến to mean 'arrive'.Tatoeba #9011185 by dotheduyet1999, translation #8172266 by abburns
- Đừng để ý đến nó.Don't pay any attention to him.This sentence demonstrates using đến to direct attention toward someone.Tatoeba #2820314 by trieuho, translation #2265863 by _undertoad
- Tôi đi đến công tyI go to the company
- Họ rất lịch sự đối với khách hàngThey are very polite to customers
- Tôi đã nói với giám đốc về vấn đề nàyI talked to the director about this issue
- Cho tôi xem cái bút của bạnShow me your pen
- 419 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Chi are at the bus station planning their trip.
- HùngKhi nào chúng ta đến Đà Lạt?When will we arrive in Da Lat?
- ChiChúng ta sẽ đến đó vào sáng mai.We will arrive there tomorrow morning.
- HùngChi muốn đến đó sớm không?Do you want to arrive there early, Chi?
- ChiCó, mình muốn đến đó thật sớm.Yes, I want to arrive there very early.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “to” translations and entries đến, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries đến, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
