rồi (nối tiếp)

And Then

Level 2

Action 1 + rồi + Action 2

How It Works

As a sequence conjunction, rồi means 'and then' or 'then'. It attaches directly between two verbs or clauses to show a direct, chronological progression.

Key Characteristics:

  • Tense-Neutral: Because learners often first meet rồi as a sentence-final word meaning 'already', they mistakenly think it only marks the past tense. As a sequence connector, it is completely tense-neutral! You can use it for past narratives, future plans, and commands.
  • Compared to 'và' (and): và is primarily used to list nouns, adjectives, or simultaneous actions. While it can grammatically connect sequential verbs in formal writing, English speakers tend to overuse it. To sound natural in everyday Vietnamese, you are highly encouraged to use rồi for chronological sequences.
  • Compared to 'sau đó' (after that): sau đó is slightly more formal and heavier. It is often used at the beginning of a new sentence to transition ideas, whereas rồi acts as a lighter, tighter internal link between verbs.
  • Subject Dropping: When rồi connects two actions performed by the same person, native speakers almost always drop the pronoun before the second verb (e.g., Tôi ăn cơm rồi đi ngủ. - "I eat and then go to sleep" instead of Tôi ăn cơm rồi tôi đi ngủ.). This makes the sentence flow much more naturally.

Core Extensions & Pro Tips:

  • Standalone 'xong rồi': In casual spoken Vietnamese, 'xong rồi' (or just 'xong') frequently detaches from the first verb and acts as an independent conjunction meaning 'and then' to start a new clause (e.g., Tôi đi chợ. Xong rồi tôi nấu ăn. - "I went to the market. And then I cooked.").
  • 'rồi mới' (then and only then): Adding mới emphasizes a strict condition that the second action will not happen until the first is completed (e.g., Làm bài tập xong rồi mới đi chơi. - "Finish your homework, then and only then can you go out to play.").
  • Avoiding the 'rồi rồi' trap: Native speakers frequently pair the first verb with Verb + xong (to finish) to emphasize completion (e.g., ăn xong rồi đi ngủ - "finish eating and then go to sleep"). This is the standard way to avoid the clunky repetition of trying to combine the sentence-final 'rồi' (already) with the sequence 'rồi' (then).

Examples (4)

  1. Tôi ăn cơm rồi đi ngủ.

    I eat and then go to bed.

    Word by Word: I eat rice then go sleep.

    A classic, everyday sequence. The actions happen chronologically.

  2. Tắm xong rồi đi chơi.

    Finish showering, and then go out to play.

    Word by Word: Bathe finish then go play.

    Adding 'xong' emphasizes that the showering must be completed before going out.

  3. Ngày mai tôi đi chợ rồi nấu ăn.

    Tomorrow I will go to the market and then cook.

    Word by Word: Day tomorrow I go market then cook eat.

    This shows that 'rồi' is tense-neutral and works perfectly for future plans.

  4. Làm bài tập rồi đi chơi.

    Do your homework, then go play.

    Word by Word: Do exercise then go play.

    Using 'rồi' in an imperative (command) sentence to establish a condition and sequence.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'và' (and) to connect sequential actions in everyday speech.

    Tôi thức dậy và đánh răng.
    Tôi thức dậy rồi đánh răng.

    English speakers frequently translate 'and' directly to 'và'. While not strictly ungrammatical in formal writing, using 'và' for sequential events in everyday speech sounds like a robotic list. You are highly encouraged to use 'rồi' to show the chronological narrative naturally.

  • Stacking 'rồi' (already) and 'rồi' (then) together.

    Tôi ăn cơm rồi rồi đi ngủ.
    Tôi ăn cơm xong rồi đi ngủ.

    Learners often try to combine the sentence-final 'rồi' (already) with the sequence 'rồi' (then), creating an awkward double 'rồi'. Native speakers use 'xong rồi' to avoid this clunky repetition.

  • Starting a sentence with 'Và' to mean 'And then' in a story.

    Tôi ăn sáng. Và tôi đi làm.
    Tôi ăn sáng. Xong rồi, tôi đi làm.

    Learners often start a new sentence with 'Và...' to move to the next event. Native speakers use 'Sau đó...' (After that) or the casual standalone 'Xong rồi...' to open the next step of the story.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

rồi (nối tiếp)Level 2And Then

Learn This First

To use 'rồi' as a sequential linker, learners need a solid grasp of basic Vietnamese word order and how to construct simple sentences. It is also helpful to be familiar with the aspect marker 'rồi' (already) and the basic conjunction 'và' (and) to distinguish how 'rồi' specifically functions to order events in time.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern