Signification
Apologizing before asking for something
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'nể' (respect/restraint) means Vietnamese people often hesitate to ask for help directly. Using 'Làm phiền' shows you are aware of this cultural boundary. Hanoians tend to use more formal and elaborate 'softeners'. You might hear 'Mạn phép' (taking the liberty) combined with 'làm phiền' in older generations. Saigonese are often more direct. They might just say 'Phiền chút nghen!' (Bother you a bit, okay?) with a friendly 'nghen' particle at the end. Hierarchy is key. Even if you are the boss, saying 'Làm phiền em một chút' to a subordinate makes you look like a 'hiền' (kind/gentle) leader, which is highly valued.
The 'Smile' Rule
Always pair this phrase with a slight nod or a smile. In Vietnamese culture, non-verbal cues are just as important as the words for showing politeness.
Pronoun Power
If you aren't sure of the pronoun, use 'anh' (for men) or 'chị' (for women) if they look older than you. It's safer to be too respectful than not respectful enough.
Signification
Apologizing before asking for something
The 'Smile' Rule
Always pair this phrase with a slight nod or a smile. In Vietnamese culture, non-verbal cues are just as important as the words for showing politeness.
Pronoun Power
If you aren't sure of the pronoun, use 'anh' (for men) or 'chị' (for women) if they look older than you. It's safer to be too respectful than not respectful enough.
The 'Tí' Shortcut
Use 'một tí' instead of 'một chút' when talking to friends. It sounds more natural and 'local'.
Teste-toi
Choose the most appropriate pronoun to replace 'bạn' when talking to a male doctor who is older than you.
Làm phiền ___ một chút, bác sĩ cho hỏi phòng khám ở đâu?
In a professional setting with an older male, 'anh' is the most respectful and common choice. 'Bác sĩ' is the title, but 'anh' is the pronoun used in the phrase.
Complete the phrase to make it a polite question.
Làm phiền bạn một chút có ____ không?
'Được không' is the standard way to turn a statement into a 'Can I/May I' question in Vietnamese.
Match the phrase variation to the correct situation.
1. Ngắt lời bạn một chút... 2. Làm phiền em một chút... 3. Xin lỗi vì đã làm phiền...
'Ngắt lời' is for interrupting speech, 'em' is for younger people, and 'Xin lỗi vì đã...' is past tense/apologetic.
Fill in the missing polite opener.
A: ___________. Bạn có biết mấy giờ xe buýt đến không? B: Khoảng 10 phút nữa bạn ạ.
While 'Làm phiền bạn một chút' is the most polite, 'Chào bạn' and 'Bạn ơi' are also common. However, in the context of this lesson, 'Làm phiền bạn một chút' is the best 'softener'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Pronoun Swapping
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesLàm phiền ___ một chút, bác sĩ cho hỏi phòng khám ở đâu?
In a professional setting with an older male, 'anh' is the most respectful and common choice. 'Bác sĩ' is the title, but 'anh' is the pronoun used in the phrase.
Làm phiền bạn một chút có ____ không?
'Được không' is the standard way to turn a statement into a 'Can I/May I' question in Vietnamese.
1. Ngắt lời bạn một chút... 2. Làm phiền em một chút... 3. Xin lỗi vì đã làm phiền...
'Ngắt lời' is for interrupting speech, 'em' is for younger people, and 'Xin lỗi vì đã...' is past tense/apologetic.
A: ___________. Bạn có biết mấy giờ xe buýt đến không? B: Khoảng 10 phút nữa bạn ạ.
While 'Làm phiền bạn một chút' is the most polite, 'Chào bạn' and 'Bạn ơi' are also common. However, in the context of this lesson, 'Làm phiền bạn một chút' is the best 'softener'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt can be. With close friends, you might just say 'Hỏi tí' (Ask a bit) or 'Nhờ tí' (Need a favor). Use 'Làm phiền' when you are actually interrupting them while they are doing something important.
Yes, but you change the tone. 'Đừng làm phiền tôi!' (Don't bother me!) is a sharp command. The 'một chút' is what makes the original phrase polite.
They are 99% the same. 'Một chút' is slightly more formal/standard, while 'một tí' is more common in Northern speech and casual settings.
You don't *have* to, but 'Xin lỗi, làm phiền bạn một chút' is the 'gold standard' for politeness with strangers.
Change 'bạn' to 'mọi người'. 'Làm phiền mọi người một chút...'
Yes, it's a very common way to start an email when you are asking for a favor or information from someone you don't know well.
You can say 'Không sao đâu' (No problem) or 'Bạn cứ nói đi' (Go ahead and speak).
It's better to use 'Làm phiền' for the *interruption* and then 'Làm ơn' or 'Nhờ' for the actual big favor.
It's just a common spoken shortcut. 'Phiền bạn quá' means 'You are so helpful (and I'm bothering you too much)'.
A slight bow of the head (especially to elders) is very common while saying this.
Expressions liées
Xin lỗi
similarSorry / Excuse me
Cho mình hỏi
builds onLet me ask
Đừng bận tâm
contrastDon't worry / Don't bother
Làm ơn
similarPlease (literally: do a favor)
