# là meaning in Vietnamese: to be (A1)

> là means “to be” in Vietnamese. It can also mean that, and then. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/la-be/ · Updated 2026-10-18

**là**: to be · that · and then

Level: A1 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: la

## 1. to be (verb)

Links two nouns: *em là sinh viên*. Never before an adjective: *em vui*, not *em là vui*.

- Tôi là người Úc. — I'm Australian.
- Hôm nay là thứ hai. — Today is Monday.

Level: A1

Grammar: [Jobs: là / làm + job, làm gì?](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/la-lam-job/) · [Is (a noun): là links two nouns](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/la-noun/)

## 2. that (conjunction)

After *nói*, *nghĩ* or *biết*: the spoken word, where writing uses *rằng*. It can be left out.

- Saigon: Ảnh nói là mai ảnh bận. | Hà Nội: Anh ấy nói là mai anh ấy bận. — He said he's busy tomorrow.
- Em biết là anh mệt. — I know you're tired.

Level: A2

Grammar: [That (after say, think): rằng / là](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/rang-la-that/)

## 3. and then (conjunction)

and (then), then

Links an action to what follows straight from it: *Đi thẳng là tới.* Go straight on and you're there.

- Đi thẳng là tới. — Go straight on and you're there.
- Saigon: Cứ mưa là kẹt xe. | Hà Nội: Cứ mưa là tắc đường. — Whenever it rains, the traffic jams up.

Level: A2

Previous: [kỹ sư](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/ky-su/)
Next: [lại](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/lai-again/)

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