Vietnamese 'đến nỗi' Usage (to the extent that)
'đến nỗi' is commonly used to express 'to the extent that', an important structure for English speakers learning Vietnamese.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'đến nỗi' is commonly used to express 'to the extent that', an important structure for English speakers learning Vietnamese.
English meanings
- to the extent that
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi mệt đến nỗi không nói được.
I am so tired that I can't speak.
2
Món này cay đến nỗi tôi phải uống nước.
This dish is so spicy that I have to drink water.
How to use it
'đến nỗi' means 'to such an extent that...', describing a very high degree of a state or action followed by the resulting consequence.
- Usually preceded by an adjective or a high-degree action.
- 'đến nỗi' is followed by a specific result.
- Do not use it for ordinary cause and effect; use 'vì ... nên' instead.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'so tired that I can't speak' connects degree and result directly; Vietnamese uses 'đến nỗi' to mark the degree explicitly.
Common mistakes
Tôi đến nỗi mệt không nói được.
Tôi mệt đến nỗi không nói được.
The degree word (mệt) should come before 'đến nỗi'.
Vì tôi mệt đến nỗi.
Tôi mệt đến nỗi không nói được.
'đến nỗi' must be followed by a result, not left incomplete.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
What usually follows 'đến nỗi'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
What usually follows 'đến nỗi'?
- a result caused by the degree
- a recipient
- an equal comparison
Answer: a result caused by the degree
Explanation: It expresses 'to such an extent that...'.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi mệt ____ không nói được.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi mệt ____ không nói được.
Answer: Tôi mệt đến nỗi không nói được.
Explanation: Usually preceded by an adjective or a high-degree action.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I am so tired that I can't speak." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I am so tired that I can't speak." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi mệt đến nỗi không nói được.
Explanation: Use đến nỗi in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or False: Tôi đến nỗi mệt không nói được.
Show answer
True or false
True or False: Tôi đến nỗi mệt không nói được.
Answer: False
Explanation: The degree word (mệt) should come before 'đến nỗi'.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Món này đến nỗi cay tôi phải uống nước.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Món này đến nỗi cay tôi phải uống nước.
Answer: Món này cay đến nỗi tôi phải uống nước.
Explanation: The adjective 'cay' should come before 'đến nỗi'.