# mà meaning in Vietnamese: but (A1)

> mà means “but” in Vietnamese. It can also mean that, which, so that, if, insisting. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/ma-but/ · Updated 2026-10-21

**mà**: but · that, which · so that · if · insisting

Level: A1 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: ma

## 1. but (conjunction)

A 'but' with a twist: what follows isn't what you'd expect (*nhỏ mà đông khách*, tiny and yet packed). *Nhưng* just sets two facts side by side.

- Em học nhiều mà vẫn quên. — I study a lot, but I still forget.
- Saigon: Nhà gần mà anh tới trễ. | Hà Nội: Nhà gần mà anh đến muộn. — You live close by, and yet you're late.

Level: A1

Grammar: [But (unexpectedly), and yet: mà](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/ma-but-unexpected/)

## 2. that, which (conjunction)

Links a noun to a description after it; in speech it is often left out.

- Cái áo mà em mua hôm qua đẹp lắm. — The shirt I bought yesterday is really nice.
- Người mà chị gặp là ai? — Who's the person you met?

Level: A2

## 3. so that (conjunction)

to, so as to

Between two verbs in speech, as when you hand someone something and say what it's for; *để* is the everyday word.

- Cầm tiền này mà đi taxi. — Take this money for a taxi.
- Mua thêm bánh mì mà ăn sáng. — Buy some more bread for breakfast.

Level: A2 · to recognize

Grammar: [So as to (spoken): verb + mà + verb](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/ma-purpose/)

## 4. if (conjunction)

After the person or thing, with *thì* before the result: *Anh mà đi thì em buồn lắm.*

- Em mà biết thì em đã nói rồi. — If I'd known, I'd have told you.
- Trời mà mưa thì mình ở nhà. — If it rains, we'll stay home.

Level: A2

Grammar: [If (you) were to: person + mà + verb … thì](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/ma-if-hypothetical/)

## 5. insisting (particle)

At the end of a statement, *mà* insists it is true when someone doubts or has forgotten it, like 'I told you!' or a stressed 'really': *Ngon mà!*, it really is good. Said softly it reassures; said sharply it can sound impatient.

- Tui đóng cửa rồi mà. — I did shut the door!
- Dễ mà, em làm thử đi. — It's easy, really, give it a try.

Level: A2 · to recognize

Grammar: [I told you! … mà at the end](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/ma-final-insist/)

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