Vietnamese 'chính' Usage (Exactly / Precisely)
'chính' is used to emphasize the focus element, meaning 'exactly' or 'precisely'.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'chính' is used to emphasize the focus element, meaning 'exactly' or 'precisely'.
English meanings
- Exactly
- Precisely
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Chính anh ấy đã giúp tôi.
It was exactly him who helped me.
2
Chính lỗi này làm câu không tự nhiên.
It is precisely this mistake that makes the sentence unnatural.
How to use it
'chính' is placed before the noun, pronoun, or element being emphasized to indicate the true focus. It is not a general intensifier but a focus marker.
- Placed before the element being emphasized.
- Often combined with 'đã', 'là' to form focus sentences.
- 'chính' can also mean 'main' depending on position, so context matters.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Like the English 'exactly' or 'precisely' used to highlight the key subject, e.g., 'It was exactly him.' Do not confuse 'chính' with the meaning 'main' or 'primary'.
Common mistakes
Anh ấy chính đã giúp tôi.
Chính anh ấy đã giúp tôi.
'chính' should be placed before the emphasized person 'anh ấy'.
Lỗi này làm chính câu không tự nhiên.
Chính lỗi này làm câu không tự nhiên.
To emphasize the cause, 'chính' goes before 'lỗi này'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'It was exactly him who helped me'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'It was exactly him who helped me'?
- Chính anh ấy đã giúp tôi.
- Anh ấy chính đã giúp tôi.
- Anh ấy đã chính giúp tôi.
Answer: Chính anh ấy đã giúp tôi.
Explanation: 'chính' is placed before the emphasized element.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ anh ấy đã giúp tôi.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ anh ấy đã giúp tôi.
Answer: Chính anh ấy đã giúp tôi.
Explanation: Placed before the emphasized element.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "It was exactly him who helped me." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "It was exactly him who helped me." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Chính anh ấy đã giúp tôi.
Explanation: Use chính in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Anh ấy chính đã giúp tôi.'
Show answer
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Anh ấy chính đã giúp tôi.'
Answer: False
Explanation: 'chính' should be placed before the emphasized person 'anh ấy'.
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Anh ấy chính đã giúp tôi.'
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Anh ấy chính đã giúp tôi.'
Answer: Chính anh ấy đã giúp tôi.
Explanation: 'chính' goes before the emphasized element 'anh ấy'.