theo đó

Under Which

Level 6

Theo đó is an advanced, formal sentence connector meaning "under which," "whereby," "accordingly," "pursuant to that," or "based on that." It is used primarily in journalistic, legal, and administrative contexts to introduce the specific details of a previously mentioned document, decision, plan, or a formal response to a situation.

How It Works

Because theo đó frequently functions as a sentence connector (where đó replaces the previously mentioned noun or situation), it often stands alone as an introductory phrase. Because đó already acts as the pronoun object of theo, the phrase is 'closed' and cannot take another object. Instead, it acts as an independent adverbial phrase modifying the entire subsequent clause. It is frequently followed by the subject of the new clause (e.g., Theo đó, chính phủ...), but it can also be followed by other adverbials like time or place before the subject appears (e.g., Theo đó, từ ngày 1/7, chính phủ sẽ...). However, it can also function as a literal prepositional phrase mid-sentence or at the end of a clause (e.g., Cứ theo đó mà làm - Just do it according to that / Act accordingly). In news reporting, it is highly frequent to introduce a new policy or event in the first sentence, then start the next sentence with Theo đó,... to elaborate on the specific details.

Key Distinctions:

  • Closed phrase: Unlike theo (according to) or theo như, which require an object to follow them, theo đó already contains its object (đó). It modifies the entire clause that follows it.
  • Logical consequence vs. pure causality: While do đó (therefore) expresses direct causality (A happened, therefore B happened), theo đó expresses stipulation or an action taken accordingly based on a rule, announcement, or official decision (e.g., the weather bureau announced a severe storm protocol; accordingly, the airline canceled all flights).
  • Not chronological: On its own, it does not mean sau đó (after that), as it focuses on logical or legal accordance rather than time. However, you will frequently encounter it in compound sequential phrases like tiếp theo đó (following that) or kéo theo đó (entailing that).
  • Relative clause usage: In formal and legal contexts, it is very common to see the structure mà theo đó (whereby / by which). For example: Họ đưa ra một kế hoạch mà theo đó chi phí sẽ được chia đều. (They introduced a plan whereby the costs will be split equally).
  • Physical navigation: It is also used literally in physical contexts to mean "following that path/direction" (e.g., Cứ đi theo đó -> Just go along that way / follow that path).

In casual, everyday speech, native speakers rarely use theo đó as a sentence connector. Instead, they might say Theo [danh từ] đó thì... (According to that [noun]...) or Trong đó nói là... (In there it says...).

Examples (4)

  1. Chính phủ vừa ban hành nghị định mới. Theo đó, mức phí sẽ tăng từ tháng sau.

    The government just issued a new decree. Under it, fees will rise from next month.

    Word by Word: Government just issue decree new. According to that, level fee will increase from month next.

    Notice how "theo đó" links back to the "nghị định" (decree) to unpack its specific provision.

  2. Họ đã thiết lập một kế hoạch, theo đó bạn có thể dàn trải chi phí trong một khoảng thời gian.

    They have set up a plan whereby you can spread the cost over a period.

    Word by Word: They already set up one plan, according to that you can spread cost in one period time.

    Here, it translates well to "whereby," explaining the mechanics of the "kế hoạch" (plan).

  3. Hai bên đã ký kết hợp đồng. Theo đó, công ty A sẽ cung cấp vật liệu cho công ty B.

    The two parties have signed a contract. Accordingly, company A will supply materials to company B.

    Word by Word: Two side already sign contract. According to that, company A will supply material for company B.

    "Accordingly" here means "pursuant to the contract," not "therefore."

  4. Báo cáo tài chính vừa được công bố. Theo đó, lợi nhuận của công ty đã giảm đáng kể.

    The financial report was just published. According to it, the company's profits have decreased significantly.

    Word by Word: Report financial just passive publish. According to that, profit of company already decrease significantly.

    It refers back to the "báo cáo" (report) to state its findings.

Common Mistakes

  • Treating "theo đó" as a preposition and placing a noun directly after it.

    Theo đó báo cáo, lợi nhuận đã giảm.
    Theo báo cáo đó, lợi nhuận đã giảm.

    The word "đó" already replaces the noun. If you want to state the noun explicitly, use "Theo [noun] đó" (According to that [noun]) or "Theo như [noun]". Alternatively, split it into two sentences: "Báo cáo vừa được công bố. Theo đó, lợi nhuận đã giảm."

  • Using the highly formal "theo đó" for everyday, casual situations.

    Trời mưa rất to. Theo đó, chúng tôi ở nhà.
    Trời mưa rất to. Do đó, chúng tôi ở nhà.

    While "theo đó" can mean "accordingly" or "based on that" in response to a situation, it belongs to formal, administrative, or journalistic registers. Using it for a mundane, everyday event like staying home because of rain sounds unnatural. For casual cause and effect, use "do đó" or "vì vậy".

How It Connects

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

theo đóLevel 6Under Which

Learn This First

To understand 'theo đó', a learner needs to know the preposition 'theo' (according to) and the demonstrative 'đó' (that/the aforementioned). Together, they function as a formal cohesive device meaning 'according to that' or 'under which', typically used in news or legal contexts to link a specific detail back to a cited source.

Words in This Pattern