Made or written by: do + doer + verb

by (the doer)

Pattern: [thing] + (là) + do + [doer] + [verb]

A2 · estimateformal

To say who made, wrote or organised something, put do before the doer, then the verb: Bài hát này do Trịnh Công Sơn viết. This song was written by Trịnh Công Sơn. The thing comes first, and there's no được or bị.

You'll see it most in writing: on programmes, signs and labels, and in the news: Chuyến đi này do công ty tổ chức. This trip is organised by the company. In speech, là do is common when you say who made something or who's responsible: Món này là do má em nấu. My mum made this dish.

Được + doer + verb also says who did something, but it's about a person who was glad of it: Em được cô khen. I was praised by the teacher. Do is neutral, and it points at who made something or is in charge of it. Formal writing sometimes puts bởi and the doer after the verb instead: được thực hiện bởi. That's a later, written pattern.

Don't mix this up with do meaning "because of", also formal: Do mưa lớn, đường bị ngập. There do is followed by a cause, not by a doer and a verb.

Examples

Highlighted words are what Saigon and Hà Nội say differently.

  • Bài hát này do Trịnh Công Sơn viết.

    This song was written by Trịnh Công Sơn.

  • Chuyến đi này do công ty tổ chức.

    This trip is organised by the company.

  • Saigon

    Món này là do má em nấu.

    Hà Nội

    Món này là do mẹ em nấu.

    My mum made this dish.

  • Bức tranh này do một họa sĩ Huế vẽ.

    This painting is by an artist from Huế.

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