Vietnamese Noun + Adjective Word Order (Adjectives After Nouns)
In Vietnamese, adjectives usually come after the noun they modify, for example áo đỏ ('red shirt').
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
In Vietnamese, adjectives usually come after the noun they modify, for example áo đỏ ('red shirt').
English meanings
- adjectives follow nouns
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi mua một cái áo đỏ.
I bought a red shirt.
2
Cô ấy là một giáo viên giỏi.
She is a good teacher.
How to use it
In English, adjectives usually come before the noun, like 'red shirt' or 'good teacher.' In Vietnamese, the main noun comes first, then the adjective: áo đỏ, giáo viên giỏi. This is one of the most common word order mistakes for English speakers.
- General descriptive adjectives usually follow the noun.
- If there is a classifier, the order is: number + classifier + noun + adjective.
- Some set phrases or proper names may be exceptions, but beginners should focus on the general rule of adjective-after-noun.
Compared with English
Compared with English
English says 'red + shirt,' but Vietnamese says 'shirt + red.' Do not say hay tiếng Việt for 'good Vietnamese,' but tiếng Việt hay.
Common mistakes
Tôi mua một đỏ áo.
Tôi mua một cái áo đỏ.
The adjective đỏ should come after the noun áo.
Cô ấy là một giỏi giáo viên.
Cô ấy là một giáo viên giỏi.
giỏi modifies giáo viên and should follow the noun.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which phrase means 'red shirt'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which phrase means 'red shirt'?
- áo đỏ
- đỏ áo
- áo cái đỏ
Answer: áo đỏ
Explanation: In Vietnamese, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi mua một ____ áo đỏ.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi mua một ____ áo đỏ.
Answer: Tôi mua một cái áo đỏ.
Explanation: General descriptive adjectives usually follow the noun.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I bought a red shirt." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I bought a red shirt." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi mua một cái áo đỏ.
Explanation: Use N + tính từ in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Noun + adjective word order can always follow English word order.
Show answer
True or false
Noun + adjective word order can always follow English word order.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vietnamese has its own rules for the position of the main word and modifiers, which often differ from English.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi mua một đỏ áo.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi mua một đỏ áo.
Answer: Tôi mua một cái áo đỏ.
Explanation: The adjective đỏ should follow the noun áo, and the classifier cái is appropriate for objects.