Vietnamese particle 'cứ' usage (just / keep on / go ahead)
'cứ' expresses continuing an action, following through, or a tone of 'just go ahead.'
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'cứ' expresses continuing an action, following through, or a tone of 'just go ahead.'
English meanings
- just
- keep on
- go ahead
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Bạn cứ xem ví dụ trước.
You just look at the example first.
2
Tôi cứ nhầm hai cấu trúc này.
I keep confusing these two structures.
How to use it
'cứ' conveys 'just do it,' permission, or ongoing state. It can also mean 'simply' or 'regardless' in conditional sentences.
- Indicates following through or continuation.
- Makes suggestions sound more natural.
- Tone varies with context.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Similar to English 'just go ahead' or 'keep on doing,' but not always translated as 'keep on.'
Common mistakes
Bạn xem cứ ví dụ trước.
Bạn cứ xem ví dụ trước.
'cứ' should be placed before the verb.
Tôi cứ đã nhầm.
Tôi cứ nhầm.
Continuous confusion does not need 'đã.'
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'cứ'?
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Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'cứ'?
- Bạn cứ xem ví dụ trước.
- Bạn xem cứ ví dụ trước.
- Tôi cứ đã nhầm.
Answer: Bạn cứ xem ví dụ trước.
Explanation: Indicates following through or continuation.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Bạn ____ xem ví dụ trước.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Bạn ____ xem ví dụ trước.
Answer: Bạn cứ xem ví dụ trước.
Explanation: Indicates following through or continuation.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "You just look at the example first." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "You just look at the example first." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Bạn cứ xem ví dụ trước.
Explanation: Use cứ in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or False: 'Bạn xem cứ ví dụ trước.' is correct.
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True or false
True or False: 'Bạn xem cứ ví dụ trước.' is correct.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'cứ' should be placed before the verb.
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Bạn xem cứ ví dụ trước.'
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Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Bạn xem cứ ví dụ trước.'
Answer: Bạn cứ xem ví dụ trước.
Explanation: 'cứ' should be placed before the verb.