Vietnamese 'ai bảo là' Usage (Who says that / Who told you)
'ai bảo là' is commonly used in spoken language to challenge or refute a statement, similar to 'Who says...' in English.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'ai bảo là' is commonly used in spoken language to challenge or refute a statement, similar to 'Who says...' in English.
English meanings
- Who says that
- Who told you
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Ai bảo là câu này sai?
Who says this sentence is wrong?
2
Ai bảo là người mới học không dùng được cấu trúc này?
Who says beginners can't use this structure?
How to use it
The phrase 'ai bảo là' is used to express challenge, refutation, or blame towards a previously stated assumption or claim. It is not simply asking who said something but often carries a tone of contradiction or challenge. It is common in informal speech and can sound direct or confrontational.
- Used in spoken language to refute or challenge.
- Tone can be direct or confrontational.
- Often challenges the other person's statement.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Comparable to English rhetorical questions like 'Who says I don't understand?' It is best avoided in formal contexts due to its direct tone.
Common mistakes
Ai bảo là vì câu này sai?
Ai bảo là câu này sai?
The refutation phrase should be followed by the content being challenged, not by a cause introduced with 'vì'.
Trong văn bản chính thức, ai bảo là...
Trong văn bản chính thức, không nên cho rằng...
Avoid using this colloquial rhetorical question in formal writing.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'ai bảo là'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'ai bảo là'?
- Ai bảo là câu này sai?
- Ai bảo là vì câu này sai?
- Trong văn bản chính thức, ai bảo là...
Answer: Ai bảo là câu này sai?
Explanation: Used in spoken language to refute or challenge.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ câu này sai?
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ câu này sai?
Answer: Ai bảo là câu này sai?
Explanation: Used in spoken language to refute or challenge.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Who says this sentence is wrong?" into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Who says this sentence is wrong?" into Vietnamese.
Answer: Ai bảo là câu này sai?
Explanation: Use ai bảo là in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or False: 'Ai bảo là vì câu này sai?'
Show answer
True or false
True or False: 'Ai bảo là vì câu này sai?'
Answer: False
Explanation: The refutation phrase should be followed by the content being challenged, not by a cause introduced with 'vì'.
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Ai bảo là vì câu này sai?'
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Ai bảo là vì câu này sai?'
Answer: Ai bảo là câu này sai?
Explanation: The refutation phrase should be followed by the content being challenged, not by a cause introduced with 'vì'.