định + Verb

Intend to

Level 3

Place định directly before a verb to express that you intend or plan to do that action.

How It Works

The pattern định + Verb is used to express a settled intention or plan.

Key Rules:

  • Attachment: Place định before the main verb. You can attach it directly, insert sẽ (định sẽ + Verb) for emphasis, or use là (định là + Clause) when introducing a full clause.
  • Subjects: Because it requires an intention, the subject must be a person or entity capable of making a plan. It is generally not used for inanimate objects or weather (e.g., use sắp for 'Trời sắp mưa'). However, as a colloquial exception, native speakers sometimes personify the sky and say 'Trời định mưa' to mean 'It looks like it's going to rain'.
  • Time Word Placement: Time words usually go at the very beginning or the very end of the sentence (e.g., Ngày mai tôi định... or Tôi định... ngày mai).

Common Combinations and Negation:

  • Questions: To ask someone about their plans, use the yes/no question structure có định + Verb + không? (e.g., Bạn có định đi không? - Do you intend to go?).
  • Negation: To say you do not intend to do something, use không định + Verb. If you haven't made a plan yet, use chưa định + Verb.
  • Continuous Form: Adding đang before it creates đang định + Verb, which means you are currently planning to do something or were "just about to" do it.
  • Past Intention: Using đã creates đã định + Verb, which is heavily used to express a past intention that was often unfulfilled (e.g., 'I had planned to...').

Nuance and Variations:
While định is standard, neutral, and universally understood, you will also hear variations depending on the context:

  • Dự định: The formal, Sino-Vietnamese equivalent used in writing, news, or professional settings.
  • Có ý định: A highly common noun phrase equivalent meaning 'to have the intention' (e.g., Tôi có ý định...).
  • Tính: In casual Southern Vietnamese speech, native speakers frequently use tính (literally 'to calculate') instead of định to express personal plans.
  • With Nouns: While usually followed by a verb, định can occasionally take a noun when it means 'to set' or 'to decide' (e.g., định ngày - to set a date, định giá - to set a price).

How it differs from other words:
Do not confuse định with muốn (which expresses a desire, not a concrete plan) or sẽ (which is a general future marker or prediction). Định specifically focuses on the human intention behind the future action.

Examples (5)

  1. Cuối tuần này mình định về quê.

    This weekend I plan to go back to my hometown.

    Word by Word: End week this I intend return hometown.

    A standard, everyday sentence expressing a personal plan.

  2. Tụi mình định mở một quán cà phê nhỏ.

    We are planning to open a little coffee shop.

    Word by Word: We intend open one shop coffee small.

    Shows 'định' used for a larger life plan or business intention.

  3. Tôi định nghỉ việc nhưng chưa dám nói với sếp.

    I intend to quit my job but don't dare tell my boss yet.

    Word by Word: I intend quit work but not yet dare speak with boss.

    Demonstrates that the intention is formed in the mind, even if the action hasn't been initiated.

  4. Năm sau anh ấy dự định đi du học.

    Next year he plans to study abroad.

    Word by Word: Year after he plan go study abroad.

    Uses the formal variant 'dự định', which is common in written or professional contexts.

  5. Mai tui tính đi siêu thị mua đồ.

    Tomorrow I plan to go to the supermarket to buy things.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow I calculate go supermarket buy things.

    Uses 'tính', the highly frequent, casual equivalent used in everyday Southern Vietnamese speech.

Common Mistakes

  • Inserting a preposition like 'để' (for/in order to) between the modal and the verb.

    Tôi định để đi du lịch.
    Tôi định đi du lịch.

    Because English speakers say 'plan TO', they often mistakenly insert 'để'. Vietnamese uses direct sequencing for modal verbs. Place 'định' directly before the main verb, or use linking words like 'sẽ' or 'là', but never 'để'.

  • Using 'không định' when you mean 'chưa định' (have not decided yet).

    Different MeaningTôi không định đi đâu vào cuối tuần này.
    Tôi chưa định đi đâu vào cuối tuần này.

    This sentence is natural and often just means 'I'm not planning to go anywhere this weekend'. Strictly, không định says you do not intend to do it, while chưa định says you have not decided yet and may still decide.

How It Connects

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

định + VerbLevel 3Intend to

Learn This First

To understand 'định + Verb', you need to be comfortable with Vietnamese word order, specifically how auxiliary verbs or intention markers are placed directly before the main verb without any conjugation or linking words.

Words in This Pattern