Using Modal verbs "can, nen, phai, co the ?

[birgit]

Hello,

Would it be possible to give me some direction in how to use the vietnamese modal verbs: "can", "nen", "phai", "co the"? for need to, have to, should, must, will? Like ex. I shall/ must ( ex.my mother is ill) make breakfast, so I might have to make Chau.What do I need to buy, and where should I go.
Is it right, that giving somebody an advice, you use "nen"? Can you also use nen, when you explain to other, what you intend to do?
I know, this is not very clearly asked of me, but you might understand.
Cam on rat nhieu!

[Paddy]

Hello,

Would it be possible to give me some direction in how to use the vietnamese modal verbs: "can", "nen", "phai", "co the"? for need to, have to, should, must, will? Like ex. I shall/ must ( ex.my mother is ill) make breakfast, so I might have to make Chau.What do I need to buy, and where should I go.
Is it right, that giving somebody an advice, you use "nen"? Can you also use nen, when you explain to other, what you intend to do?
I know, this is not very clearly asked of me, but you might understand.
Cam on rat nhieu!

Nên depends on the context it is used in. Yes, nên is usually used when an advice is given.

For instance, anh nên gặp bác sĩ đi. You must go see a doctor. In this case "strong" nên was used, so to translate it properly I would use must.

As for anh nên đi đi. You'd better go. Again depending on the context, if you want that person to get lost (in a polite way), nên = must. If you want that person not to miss the train then nên = should, ought to, would better, etc.

For the case of anh nên đọc cuốn sách này. You ought to/should read this book. Here nên is used in as a weaker recommendation.

BTY, if you meant congee then it is cháo and not chau

[birgit]

Thank you very much! IAnd I did need cháo.
Thanks

[vietnamese4u]

in my opinion, about the strength of words: cần < nên < phải and I simply always think that cần = need, nên = should, phải = have to/must
and the other ones: có lẽ = may/might, có thể = can/could

Use your example:
I shall/ must make breakfast, so I might have to make Cháo.What do I need to buy, and where should I go.
-> Tôi phải làm bữa sáng, vì vậy tôi có lẽ phải nấu cháo. Tôi cần mua những gì, và tôi nên đi đâu

[fija]

Agreed with all of you