Quick Answer
Cho, bắt, and nhờ are three common Vietnamese verbs that express varying degrees of control or request in interactions. Cho generally means "to let" or "to allow," indicating permission or a voluntary action. Bắt implies "to force" or "to make," suggesting compulsion or obligation. Meanwhile, nhờ is used for "to ask a favor" or "to request assistance," highlighting a polite appeal for help.
Comparison Table
| Word | Main Meaning | Usage Context | Example (Vietnamese) |
|---|---|---|---|
| cho | To let, to allow, to give permission | Permission, allowance, voluntary action. Also "to give". | Mẹ cho con đi chơi. (Mom lets me go play.) |
| bắt | To force, to make, to compel | Obligation, compulsion, involuntary action, capture. | Sếp bắt tôi làm thêm giờ. (My boss makes me work overtime.) |
| nhờ | To ask a favor, to request assistance | Polite request, asking for help, delegation of a task. | Tôi nhờ anh ấy giúp tôi chuyển đồ. (I asked him to help me move things.) |
Detailed Explanation
Cho — To Let, To Allow, To Give
The verb "cho" primarily conveys the meaning of allowing someone to do something, giving permission, or enabling an action. It implies a voluntary decision on the part of the subject to grant liberty to the object. It can also simply mean "to give" something to someone. When used in a causative sense, it means "to let someone do something."
Hán-Việt connection: While "cho" is a native Vietnamese word, related concepts in Sino-Vietnamese might use characters like hứa (許 - to permit/promise) or phép (法 - law/rule, often seen in "cho phép" - to permit).
Bắt — To Force, To Make, To Compel
"Bắt" signifies forcing, compelling, or making someone perform an action, often against their will or due to circumstances beyond their control. It suggests a lack of choice or a strong obligation. Beyond its causative meaning, "bắt" can also mean "to catch" or "to arrest." When used causatively, it means "to make someone do something."
Hán-Việt connection: "Bắt" is also a native Vietnamese word. The idea of compulsion can sometimes be reflected in terms like cưỡng (強 - strong, forceful) in Sino-Vietnamese compounds like cưỡng bức (compel).
Nhờ — To Ask a Favor, To Request Assistance
"Nhờ" is used when politely asking someone for a favor or requesting their assistance. It implies that the action is done at the request of the speaker, and typically out of goodwill or obligation rather than direct force. It's a way to delegate a task or seek help respectfully.
Hán-Việt connection: "Nhờ" is a native Vietnamese word. The concept of asking or entrusting can relate to Sino-Vietnamese terms like thỉnh (請 - to request) or ủy (委 - to entrust) in more formal contexts.
Example Pairs
Mẹ tôi cho tôi đi chơi với bạn.
My mother let me go out with friends.
Mẹ tôi bắt tôi ở nhà học bài.
My mother made me stay home to study.
Cô ấy cho tôi mượn sách.
She let me borrow the book.
Tôi nhờ cô ấy mua sách giúp tôi.
I asked her to buy the book for me.
Sếp cho tôi một nhiệm vụ mới.
The boss gave me a new task.
Tôi nhờ sếp xem qua báo cáo này.
I asked the boss to look over this report for me.
Cửa hàng cho phép khách hàng đổi trả hàng trong 7 ngày.
The store allows customers to exchange or return items within 7 days.
Luật pháp bắt mọi người đội mũ bảo hiểm khi đi xe máy.
The law makes everyone wear a helmet when riding a motorbike.
Giáo viên cho học sinh nộp bài muộn.
The teacher allowed students to submit homework late.
Tôi nhờ bạn hỏi giáo viên xem có thể nộp bài muộn không.
I asked my friend to ask the teacher if I could submit homework late.
Common Patterns
Cho phép — To permit, to allow
Used in more formal contexts, often for official permission.
Nhà trường cho phép học sinh nghỉ học có lý do.
The school allows students to be absent with a valid reason.
Bắt buộc — To obligate, to force, compulsory
A stronger form of compulsion, implying an obligation or requirement.
Tất cả học sinh đều bắt buộc phải mặc đồng phục.
All students are obligated to wear uniforms.
Nhờ vả — To ask for a favor, to seek help
Implies a greater degree of dependence or a more significant favor being asked.
Tôi phải nhờ vả hàng xóm chăm sóc con khi tôi đi vắng.
I had to ask my neighbor to take care of my child when I was away.
Để cho — To let, to allow
Often emphasizes the intent to let something happen or to let someone be.
Để cho anh ấy tự làm đi.
Let him do it himself.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Using "bắt" for polite requests
Learners sometimes mistakenly use "bắt" when they intend to make a polite request, assuming it's a general causative verb. This can sound very impolite, as "bắt" implies forcing or commanding.
❌ Tôi bắt bạn giúp tôi một tay.
✅ Tôi nhờ bạn giúp tôi một tay.
Using "bắt" here sounds like you are ordering or forcing your friend to help you. The correct word for asking a favor is "nhờ".
Mistake 2 — Using "nhờ" for giving permission
Another common error is to use "nhờ" when the intention is to give permission or allow someone to do something. "Nhờ" is specifically for asking a favor, not granting one.
❌ Bạn nhờ tôi ngồi đây được.
✅ Bạn cho tôi ngồi đây được.
In this context, "nhờ" implies you are asking for permission yourself. If you are granting permission, "cho" is the appropriate verb.
Mistake 3 — Confusing "cho" (allow) with "bắt" (force) in causative sentences
The nuance between allowing and forcing can be tricky. Using "cho" when "bắt" is meant (or vice versa) can completely change the meaning of the sentence from granting freedom to imposing an action, or vice-versa.
❌ Anh ấy cho tôi ăn hết cơm.
✅ Anh ấy bắt tôi ăn hết cơm.
The first sentence implies you were permitted to eat all the rice. The second sentence, using "bắt", clearly states that he compelled you to eat it all, possibly against your will or preference.
Related Grammar Points
- mặc dù...nhưng vs tuy...nhưng — Although (Two Forms) (Comparison B1)
- vì...nên vs do...nên — Because (Informal vs Formal) (Comparison B1)
- hãy vs đừng vs chớ — Do vs Don't vs Must Not (Comparison B1)
- chắc vs có lẽ vs hình như — Probably vs Perhaps vs Seems (Comparison B1)
- mà vs để — Relative Clause vs Purpose (Comparison B1)
- nhé vs nhỉ — Confirmation vs Seeking Agreement (Comparison B1)
Quick Quiz
Fill in the blank with [cho or [bắt:
Bố mẹ không _____ tôi đi chơi khuya.
Hint: The sentence implies a restriction or a lack of permission from parents.
Answer
Correct answer: Bố mẹ không cho tôi đi chơi khuya. (Parents don't allow me to go out late.) Explanation: "Cho" is used here to express permission or lack thereof. "Bắt" would imply parents are forcing you not to go out late, which is grammatically less natural here than simply not allowing.
Fill in the blank with bắt or [nhờ:
Tôi _____ anh ấy sửa cái quạt bị hỏng.
Hint: You are asking someone for help to fix something, not forcing them.
Answer
Correct answer: Tôi nhờ anh ấy sửa cái quạt bị hỏng. (I asked him to fix the broken fan.) Explanation: "Nhờ" is appropriate when you are politely requesting someone to do a favor or provide assistance. "Bắt" would imply forcing him to do it, which is impolite and unlikely in this context.
Fill in the blank with cho or nhờ:
Tôi _____ bạn gửi hộ lá thư này.
Hint: You are asking a friend to perform a service for you.
Answer
Correct answer: Tôi nhờ bạn gửi hộ lá thư này. (I asked my friend to help send this letter.) Explanation: "Nhờ" is used when politely requesting someone to do a favor or provide assistance. "Cho" would imply you are giving the letter to your friend, but the verb "gửi hộ" (to help send) clearly indicates a request for assistance.