Vietnamese 'đã' Usage (Expressing 'Already' or 'Even')
'đã' not only indicates completion but also emphasizes that something happened earlier than expected, with less quantity or under insufficient conditions.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'đã' not only indicates completion but also emphasizes that something happened earlier than expected, with less quantity or under insufficient conditions.
English meanings
- Already
- To the extent of
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Mới sáu giờ mà trời đã tối.
It's only six o'clock but it's already dark.
2
Chưa học lâu mà bạn đã nói khá tốt.
You haven't studied long but you already speak quite well.
How to use it
The focus use of 'đã' is similar to the English idea of 'already' or 'even'. For example, "Mới sáu giờ mà trời đã tối" means "It's only six o'clock but it's already dark." This differs from the basic past or perfect marker 'đã' by emphasizing that the event occurred earlier than anticipated.
- Often paired with 'mới', 'chưa', and 'mà' to create contrast.
- Emphasizes earlier-than-expected or beyond-expected occurrence.
- Distinguish this focus use from the basic perfective 'đã'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'already' can emphasize that something happened sooner than expected, similar to 'đã' in this focus use. However, not all uses of English 'already' correspond to 'đã'.
Common mistakes
Mới sáu giờ mà trời tối đã.
Mới sáu giờ mà trời đã tối.
'đã' should be placed before the adjective or verb it emphasizes.
Tôi đã đi nếu trời mưa.
Nếu trời mưa thì tôi đi.
For conditional 'if... then...' sentences, use 'thì' for 'then', not 'đã'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence means "It's only six o'clock but it's already dark."?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence means "It's only six o'clock but it's already dark."?
- Mới sáu giờ mà trời đã tối.
- Mới sáu giờ mà trời tối đã.
- Nếu sáu giờ thì trời đã.
Answer: Mới sáu giờ mà trời đã tối.
Explanation: 'đã' is placed before 'tối' to emphasize earlier-than-expected darkness.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Mới sáu giờ mà trời ____ tối.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Mới sáu giờ mà trời ____ tối.
Answer: Mới sáu giờ mà trời đã tối.
Explanation: 'đã' often appears with 'mới', 'chưa', and 'mà' to create contrast.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "It's only six o'clock but it's already dark." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "It's only six o'clock but it's already dark." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Mới sáu giờ mà trời đã tối.
Explanation: Use đã in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? Mới sáu giờ mà trời tối đã.
Show answer
True or false
Is this sentence correct? Mới sáu giờ mà trời tối đã.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'đã' should precede the adjective or verb it emphasizes.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi đã đi nếu trời mưa. (Meaning: If it rains, I will go)
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi đã đi nếu trời mưa. (Meaning: If it rains, I will go)
Answer: Nếu trời mưa thì tôi đi.
Explanation: Use 'thì' for the conditional 'then', not 'đã'.