Vietnamese 'đâu' Usage (Not at All / No Way)
'đâu' at the end of a sentence is used to negate or correct someone's assumption, similar to 'not at all' or 'no way'.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'đâu' at the end of a sentence is used to negate or correct someone's assumption, similar to 'not at all' or 'no way'.
English meanings
- Not at all
- No way
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi không biết đâu.
I don't know at all / I really don't know.
2
Câu này không khó đâu.
This sentence is not difficult at all.
How to use it
'đâu' does not only mean 'where'. When placed at the end of a sentence, it strengthens negation, indicating the other person's guess is incorrect.
- Placed at sentence end to strengthen negation.
- Often used with 'không'.
- Tone can be soft or used to rebut.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Similar to English expressions like 'not at all' or 'no way' used to deny or correct, often relying on tone; 'đâu' adds this nuance at sentence end.
Common mistakes
Tôi đâu không biết.
Tôi không biết đâu.
'đâu' used to strengthen negation is usually placed at the end.
Bạn đi đâu.
Bạn không đi đâu.
Distinguish between question 'Where are you going?' and negation with sentence-final 'đâu'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'đâu'?
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Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'đâu'?
- Tôi không biết đâu.
- Tôi đâu không biết.
- Bạn đi đâu.
Answer: Tôi không biết đâu.
Explanation: Placed at sentence end to strengthen negation.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi không biết ____.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi không biết ____.
Answer: Tôi không biết đâu.
Explanation: Placed at sentence end to strengthen negation.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I don't know at all / I really don't know." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I don't know at all / I really don't know." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi không biết đâu.
Explanation: Use đâu in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Tôi đâu không biết.'
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True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Tôi đâu không biết.'
Answer: False
Explanation: 'đâu' used to strengthen negation is usually placed at the end.
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Tôi đâu không biết.'
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Tôi đâu không biết.'
Answer: Tôi không biết đâu.
Explanation: 'đâu' used to strengthen negation is usually placed at the end.