Vietnamese 'bảo sao' Usage (No Wonder / That's Why)
'bảo sao' is a colloquial expression meaning 'no wonder,' often used as a reaction after revealing a reason.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'bảo sao' is a colloquial expression meaning 'no wonder,' often used as a reaction after revealing a reason.
English meanings
- No wonder
- That's why
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Bảo sao câu này nghe lạ.
No wonder this sentence sounds strange.
2
Bảo sao bạn nhớ nhanh như vậy.
No wonder you remember so quickly.
How to use it
'bảo sao' literally does not mean 'tell why'; it is a fixed colloquial response indicating that the cause has been identified, so the observed phenomenon is no longer surprising.
- Used in spoken language as a reaction.
- Often connected to newly introduced information in the previous sentence.
- Conveys a tone of 'so that's how it is.'
Compared with English
Compared with English
The feeling is similar to the English 'No wonder...' or 'That explains why...'; in formal contexts, use phrases like 'therefore' or 'because of that' instead.
Common mistakes
Bảo sao tôi học để thi.
Tôi học để thi.
'bảo sao' should not be used with purpose clauses.
Bảo sao do câu này sai.
Bảo sao câu này nghe lạ.
'bảo sao' is followed by the phenomenon being explained, without adding 'do' (because).
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'bảo sao'?
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Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'bảo sao'?
- Bảo sao câu này nghe lạ.
- Bảo sao tôi học để thi.
- Bảo sao do câu này sai.
Answer: Bảo sao câu này nghe lạ.
Explanation: It is a colloquial reaction phrase used to comment on a phenomenon.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ câu này nghe lạ.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ câu này nghe lạ.
Answer: Bảo sao câu này nghe lạ.
Explanation: Used as a colloquial reaction.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "No wonder this sentence sounds strange." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "No wonder this sentence sounds strange." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Bảo sao câu này nghe lạ.
Explanation: Use bảo sao in the same structure as the example.
True or false
'bảo sao' can be used freely in both formal writing and everyday speech.
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True or false
'bảo sao' can be used freely in both formal writing and everyday speech.
Answer: False
Explanation: Many Vietnamese grammar points have clear restrictions between spoken, written, or formal registers.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Bảo sao tôi học để thi.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Bảo sao tôi học để thi.
Answer: Tôi học để thi.
Explanation: 'bảo sao' should not be used with purpose clauses.