Vietnamese particle 'chứ' usage (Of course / Right? / Isn't it?)
'chứ' often expresses something obvious, a rhetorical question, confirmation, or urging agreement.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'chứ' often expresses something obvious, a rhetorical question, confirmation, or urging agreement.
English meanings
- Of course
- (used for emphasis or confirmation)
- Isn't it? (rhetorical question)
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Bạn phải đi chứ.
You obviously have to go.
2
Đẹp chứ?
It's beautiful, right?
How to use it
'chứ' carries a stronger tone than 'nhé' or 'nhỉ', conveying a sense of 'of course' or 'what else could it be?'. It can emphasize that something is naturally expected or prompt the listener to agree.
- Used for rhetorical questions or to emphasize something obvious.
- The tone is quite strong; be cautious using it with unfamiliar people.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, expressions like 'of course', 'right?', or rhetorical questions like 'isn't it?' convey similar meanings. Vietnamese 'chứ' explicitly marks this tone at the end of a clause.
Common mistakes
Bạn đi nhé chứ.
Bạn đi chứ.
'chứ' and 'nhé' have different tones and should not be combined mechanically.
Thầy giúp em chứ?
Thầy có thể giúp em được không ạ?
'chứ' can sound too forceful when politely asking a teacher for help.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'chứ'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'chứ'?
- Bạn phải đi chứ.
- Bạn đi nhé chứ.
- Thầy giúp em chứ?
Answer: Bạn phải đi chứ.
Explanation: Used for rhetorical questions or to emphasize something obvious.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Bạn phải đi ____.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Bạn phải đi ____.
Answer: Bạn phải đi chứ.
Explanation: Used for rhetorical questions or to emphasize something obvious.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "You obviously have to go." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "You obviously have to go." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Bạn phải đi chứ.
Explanation: Use chứ in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Bạn đi nhé chứ.'
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True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Bạn đi nhé chứ.'
Answer: False
Explanation: 'chứ' and 'nhé' have different tones and should not be combined mechanically.
Correction
Correct the unnatural placement of 'chứ' in this sentence.
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Correction
Correct the unnatural placement of 'chứ' in this sentence.
Answer: Bạn phải đi chứ.
Explanation: 'chứ' as a sentence-final particle usually goes at the end of the whole sentence or intonation unit.