cho nên

So / Therefore

Level 1

[Cause] + cho nên + [Result]

How It Works

Cho nên is a highly frequent conjunction that means so or therefore. It is used to introduce the result of a situation.

1. Basic Structure
Just like in English, you place it right before the result clause:

  • [Cause], cho nên [Result]

It can also be capitalized to start a brand-new sentence, just like 'Therefore' in English.

2. The 'Vì... cho nên...' Pair
In English grammar, you cannot say 'Because it rained, so I stayed home.' However, in Vietnamese, pairing vì (because) with cho nên (so) is completely natural, grammatically perfect, and highly encouraged! Note that using both words is optional: you can use just vì, just cho nên, or both together.

  • Vì trời mưa, cho nên tôi ở nhà. (Because it rained, so I stayed home.)

You can also pair cho nên with other words for 'because', such as bởi vì, tại vì, or do.

3. Important Distinction: Result vs. Purpose
English uses 'so' for both results ('It rained, so I stayed home') and purposes ('I study so I can speak'). In Vietnamese, these are different:

  • Use cho nên for results (therefore).
  • Use để for purposes (so that / in order to).

4. Synonyms
There are several common synonyms for cho nên. Words like vì vậy and do đó are slightly more formal and often used in writing, while cho nên, thế nên, and vậy nên (especially common in conversational Southern Vietnamese) are standard for both speaking and writing.

Note: In everyday speech, people often shorten cho nên to just nên. However, be careful not to confuse this with the modal verb nên, which means 'should' (e.g., Bạn nên đi = You should go).

Examples (4)

  1. Trời mưa to, cho nên chúng tôi ở nhà.

    It rained heavily, so we stayed home.

    Word by Word: Sky rain big, therefore we stay home.

    A standard sentence where 'cho nên' links the cause (heavy rain) to the result (staying home).

  2. Vì đường kẹt xe cho nên tôi đến muộn.

    Because the traffic was jammed, therefore I was late.

    Word by Word: Because street jam vehicle therefore I arrive late.

    Demonstrates the highly natural 'Vì... cho nên...' (Because... therefore...) correlative pair.

  3. Dự án này rất phức tạp. Cho nên, chúng ta cần cẩn thận.

    This project is very complex. Therefore, we need to be careful.

    Word by Word: Project this very complex. Therefore, we need careful.

    'Cho nên' can also be used at the beginning of a new sentence to refer back to the context of the previous one.

  4. Tiếng Việt rất thú vị, cho nên tôi thích học.

    Vietnamese is very interesting, so I like studying it.

    Word by Word: Language Vietnamese very interesting, therefore I like study.

    A simple, everyday example of expressing a logical conclusion.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'cho nên' to mean 'so that' (purpose).

    Tôi học tiếng Việt cho nên tôi có thể nói chuyện với bạn.
    Tôi học tiếng Việt để tôi có thể nói chuyện với bạn.

    Because English uses 'so' to mean both 'therefore' and 'in order to', learners often incorrectly use 'cho nên' for purposes. 'Cho nên' only indicates a logical result (therefore). When you want to express a purpose or goal (so that), you must use 'để'.

How It Connects

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

cho nênLevel 1So / Therefore

Learn This First

To understand 'cho nên' (so/therefore), you need to be familiar with basic Vietnamese word order to connect two complete thoughts. It also helps to recognize 'cho' as a common functional component in Vietnamese grammar.

Words in This Pattern

cho nên