Learn Vietnamese Grammar – Lesson 3

LEARN VIETNAMESE GRAMMAR

The Vietnamese grammar follows a subject + verb + object sentence structure.

E.g: Đây là cái đồng hồ = this is a watch

The article “the” does not exits in Vietnamese, however the word “một” (one) is often used like “a/an”. However, it is not necessary, is most often used in formal situations.

• Không

The word “không” has a few uses. Aside from being the word for “no” and “ zero”, it is also used as a question particle in yes/no questions, and to make negative phrases.

When used as a question particle, “không” is placed at the end of the sentence to make yes/no questions. It is used with nouns using the following strutures:

Subject + có phải là + object + Không?

E.g: Đây có phải là cái đồng hồ không? = Is this a watch?

And also at the end of tag questions?

…., phải không?

E.g: Đây là cái đồng hồ, phải không? = This is  a watch, isn’t it?

When is used  with verbs and adjectives it follows the form:

Subject + (có) + verb/adjective + Không?

E.g: Bạn (có) khỏe không? = Are you well? (literal)

Bạn (có) hiểu không? = Do you understand?

However, with boths verbs and adjectives, the word “có”  is often omitted.

E.g: Bạn khỏe không? = Are you well? (literal)

Bạn hiểu không? = Do you understand?

“Không” is also used it front of adjectives and verbs to create negative sentences.

• “Đây” and “cái này”

The words “đây” and “cái này” both mean “this”, however “cái này” is only used with objects.

E.g: Cái này là cái gì? = What is this?

Cái này là cuốn sách = This is a book

However, “đây” can be used for objects, as well as for people and places.

Đây là cái gì? = What is this?

Đây là cuốn sách = This is a book.

Đây là (một) trường học = This is a school

Đây là cô Hương = This is Ms. Hương

• “Gì” and “cái gì”

The word “gì” and “cái gì” both mean “what”, however “cái gì” is only used with objects.

E.g: Cái này là cái gì? = What is this?

Cái đó là cái gì? = What is that?

“Gì” is used for all other situations

E.g: Bạn tên gì? = What is your name?

Bạn muốn gì? = What do you want?

EXERCISES

Write some sentences as below with the vocabulary in this lesson:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Practice saying the following numbers in Vietnamese

Write out the following numbers using the Vietnamese script

Example: 150: Một trăm năm mươi

This is the end of Lesson 3 about Vietnamese Grammar. Let’s practice by yourself. For more lessons, please follow this link 🙂