Today, let’s learn how to use two very common Vietnamese words: bị (to suffer from / a passive marker for negative situations) and được (to receive / a passive marker for positive situations). When first learning Vietnamese, foreigners often feel confused because these words work differently from their English equivalents. Don’t worry! I’ll explain them in a very simple way.
When Do We Use ‘Bị’?
We use bị when talking about something bad or unfortunate that happens to the subject. For example: ‘Tôi bị mất ví tiền’ (I lost my wallet / My wallet was lost) or ‘Cậu ấy bị phạt vì đi muộn’ (He was punished for being late). This word carries a negative meaning and often makes the listener feel sympathy or a sense of regret.
When Do We Use ‘Được’?
In contrast, we use được for something good, fortunate, or with a positive outcome. For example: ‘Tôi được tặng một món quà lớn’ (I was given a wonderful gift) or ‘Cô ấy được khen trong lớp’ (She was praised in class). This word generally conveys a positive feeling and a sense of happiness.
