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Grammar point
B1CommonEmphasisNeutralIntermediate

Vietnamese 'cả ... cũng' Usage (Even / Also)

'cả ... cũng' expresses 'even' or 'also', emphasizing inclusion of a particular person or thing.

Quick explanation

Quick explanation

'cả ... cũng' expresses 'even' or 'also', emphasizing inclusion of a particular person or thing.

English meanings

  • Even
  • Also

Grammar pattern

cả + focused element + cũng + clause

Examples

1

Cả anh ấy cũng đồng ý.

Even he agrees.

2

Cả câu này tôi cũng không hiểu.

Even this sentence I don't understand.

How to use it

'cả ... cũng' brings a person, object, or sentence element into focus, meaning 'this one is also included'. It is similar to 'ngay cả' and 'đến cả' but with a less exaggerated tone, often used to add an unexpected or noteworthy inclusion.

  • 'cả' is placed before the emphasized element.
  • 'cũng' usually appears before the predicate.
  • 'ngay cả' can be used to strengthen the tone.

Compared with English

Compared with English

Like English 'Even he agrees'. Saying just 'Cả anh ấy đồng ý' lacks the full emphasis of inclusion; 'cũng' is needed.

Common mistakes

Cả anh ấy đồng ý.

Cả anh ấy cũng đồng ý.

To emphasize 'even he', 'cũng' is required.

Anh ấy cả cũng đồng ý.

Cả anh ấy cũng đồng ý.

'cả' must precede the emphasized object.

Commonly confused grammar

Practice

Multiple choice

Which sentence means 'Even he agrees'?

Show answer
  • Cả anh ấy cũng đồng ý.
  • Cả anh ấy đồng ý.
  • Anh ấy cả cũng đồng ý.

Answer: Cả anh ấy cũng đồng ý.

Explanation: 'cả ... cũng' expresses inclusion of someone or something.

Fill in the blank

Fill in the blank: ____ đồng ý.

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Answer: Cả anh ấy cũng đồng ý.

Explanation: 'cả' is placed before the emphasized element.

English to Vietnamese

Translate "Even he agrees." into Vietnamese.

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Answer: Cả anh ấy cũng đồng ý.

Explanation: Use cả ... cũng in the same structure as the example.

True or false

Is this sentence correct? 'Cả anh ấy đồng ý.'

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Answer: False

Explanation: 'cũng' is required to emphasize inclusion.

Correction

Correct this sentence: 'Cả anh ấy đồng ý.'

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Answer: Cả anh ấy cũng đồng ý.

Explanation: 'cũng' usually accompanies the sentence after 'cả'.

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