Grammar point

B1CommonNegationSpokenIntermediate

How to use chả in Vietnamese (not / not at all)

chả is a casual way to say 'not' or 'not at all,' often with a tone of indifference or emphasis.

Quick explanation

chả is a casual way to say 'not' or 'not at all,' often with a tone of indifference or emphasis.

English meanings

not
not at all

Grammar pattern

S + chả + V/Adj

Examples

Tôi chả hiểu câu này.

I don't understand this sentence at all.

Anh ấy chả nói gì.

He didn't say anything at all.

How to use it

chả is more informal than không and often conveys a sense of emphasis or not caring. It's similar to chẳng, but chả is even more colloquial. Use không for formal or neutral negation.

Colloquial.
Can express strong negation or indifference.
Use không in formal writing.

Compared with English

In English, chả is like saying 'not at all' or 'I totally don't.' It's more casual than simply saying 'not.'

Common mistakes

Báo cáo này chả đúng.

Báo cáo này không đúng.

Don't use chả in formal contexts.

Tôi chả là sinh viên.

Tôi không phải là sinh viên.

Use không phải to negate identity.

Commonly confused grammar

không chẳng

Practice

Multiple choice

Which sentence uses chả correctly?

Show answer

Tôi chả hiểu câu này.
Báo cáo này chả đúng.
Tôi chả là sinh viên.

Answer: Tôi chả hiểu câu này.

Explanation: Colloquial usage.

Fill in the blank

Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ hiểu câu này.

Show answer

Answer: Tôi chả hiểu câu này.

Explanation: Colloquial usage.

English to Vietnamese

Translate "I don't understand this sentence at all." into Vietnamese.

Show answer

Answer: Tôi chả hiểu câu này.

Explanation: Use chả in the same structure as the example.

True or false

True or false: Báo cáo này chả đúng.

Show answer

Answer: False

Explanation: Don't use chả in formal contexts.

Correction

Correct this sentence: Báo cáo này chả đúng.

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Answer: Báo cáo này không đúng.

Explanation: Don't use chả in formal contexts.

Related grammar

chưa không phải