xin phép + Verb

May I Be Allowed to

Level 5

Xin phép is made up of xin (to ask/beg) and phép (permission/rule). While it literally translates to "to ask for permission," in practice, it often functions as a polite announcement before you do something, like excusing yourself to leave or take a phone call.

How It Works

The phrase xin phép translates to "may I be allowed to" or "excuse me." Its function depends heavily on the relationship between the speakers.

  • Genuine Permission: In hierarchical situations (like a student to a teacher, or an employee to a boss), it is a genuine request for authorization. You can make this even more explicit by adding được không? at the end.
  • Polite Announcement: In everyday contexts among peers or acquaintances, it functions as a polite excusal. You are showing deference but not necessarily waiting for a "yes" or "no" before proceeding (e.g., before stepping away to answer a text).
  • Register: It is a formal and respectful phrase. Using it with close friends can sound stiff unless you are being playful or soften it with a particle like nhé.
  • Standalone Usage: If the action is obvious—like gesturing to a ringing phone or standing up to leave—you can simply say "Dạ, xin phép" without adding a verb.

Examples (6)

  1. Dạ, em xin phép về trước ạ.

    May I be excused to leave first. / I'd like to leave now.

    Word by Word: Polite_yes, I(junior) ask_permission return before polite_particle.

    Notice the use of "Dạ" and "ạ" to frame the sentence politely. In many everyday contexts, the speaker will simply stand up and leave after saying this as a polite announcement.

  2. Sếp ơi, chiều nay em xin phép về sớm được không ạ?

    Boss, may I have permission to leave early this afternoon?

    Word by Word: Boss vocative, afternoon this I(junior) ask_permission return early achieve not polite_particle.

    In a hierarchical setting like a workplace, this is a genuine request. Adding "được không" makes it an explicit question requiring authorization.

  3. Mình xin phép nghe điện thoại một lát nhé.

    Excuse me, I need to take this phone call for a moment.

    Word by Word: I(peer) ask_permission listen telephone one moment soft_particle.

    While "xin phép" is generally too formal for close friends, it can be used with peers if softened by the particle "nhé" as a basic courtesy before stepping away.

  4. Dạ, xin phép ạ.

    Excuse me.

    Word by Word: Polite_yes, ask_permission polite_particle.

    If the intended action is obvious from your body language—such as gesturing to a ringing phone or standing up from a table—you can drop the verb entirely.

  5. Tôi xin phép được giới thiệu cô dâu và chú rể.

    Allow me to introduce the bride and groom.

    Word by Word: I ask_permission achieve introduce bride and groom.

    Adding "được" makes the announcement more formal and humble, which is perfect for a wedding MC or public speaker.

  6. Con xin phép mẹ đi chơi ạ.

    Mom, may I have permission to go out?

    Word by Word: I(child) ask_permission mother go play polite_particle.

    Here, the listener's pronoun (mẹ) is inserted directly after xin phép, following the [Subject] + xin phép + [Listener] + [Verb] structure.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a literal "Can I...?" question to excuse yourself instead of making a polite announcement.

    Different MeaningEm có thể về trước được không?
    Dạ, em xin phép về trước ạ.

    English speakers often default to "Có thể + V + được không?" to excuse themselves. In Vietnamese, this sounds like you are genuinely asking if it is physically or strictly permissible, rather than politely announcing your departure.

  • Using "xin phép" for second or third-person subjects as a performative action.

    Giám đốc xin phép phát biểu.
    Xin mời giám đốc phát biểu.

    As a polite performative phrase, "xin phép" is strictly used for first-person actions (I/we). You cannot use it to announce what someone else is about to do. (Note: It can be used for 3rd person only in past-tense narrative descriptions, e.g., "He asked for permission").

How It Connects

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

xin phép + VerbLevel 5May I Be Allowed to

Learn This First

To use 'xin phép + Verb' correctly, learners need to understand the formal verb 'xin' (to request) and the concept of 'phép' (permission). Because this pattern is used to show respect when asking to perform an action, familiarity with the respect particle 'ạ' is also essential for natural usage.

Words in This Pattern