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Grammar point
A2CommonEmphasisNeutralElementary

Vietnamese 'đúng là' Usage (Really Is / Indeed Is)

'đúng là' is used to confirm or emphasize a judgment, similar to 'really is' or 'indeed is' in English.

Quick explanation

Quick explanation

'đúng là' is used to confirm or emphasize a judgment, similar to 'really is' or 'indeed is' in English.

English meanings

  • Really is
  • Indeed is

Grammar pattern

đúng là + clause/N

Examples

1

Đúng là tiếng Việt không dễ.

Vietnamese really is not easy.

2

Đúng là bạn nói rất đúng.

You really are right.

How to use it

'đúng là' is commonly used before exclamations, confirmations, or evaluations to indicate the speaker's firm belief that something is indeed true. Compared to just 'là', it adds a clear affirmative and exclamatory tone.

  • Can be followed by a full clause.
  • Often used to confirm a judgment.
  • Do not use 'đúng là' as a simple copula 'is'.

Compared with English

Compared with English

Like the English phrase 'really is' or 'indeed is', 'đúng là' can express admiration, complaint, or confirmation depending on context.

Common mistakes

Tôi đúng là sinh viên.

Tôi là sinh viên.

Use the simple copula 'là' for stating identity, not 'đúng là'.

Đúng tiếng Việt là không dễ.

Đúng là tiếng Việt không dễ.

'đúng là' is a fixed phrase that should be followed by a clause.

Commonly confused grammar

Practice

Multiple choice

Which sentence means 'Vietnamese really is not easy'?

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  • Đúng là tiếng Việt không dễ.
  • Tôi đúng là tiếng Việt.
  • Đúng tiếng Việt là không dễ.

Answer: Đúng là tiếng Việt không dễ.

Explanation: 'đúng là' is placed before the whole judgment to confirm or exclaim.

Fill in the blank

Fill in the blank: ____ tiếng Việt không dễ.

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Answer: Đúng là tiếng Việt không dễ.

Explanation: Can be followed by a full clause.

English to Vietnamese

Translate "Vietnamese really is not easy." into Vietnamese.

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Answer: Đúng là tiếng Việt không dễ.

Explanation: Use đúng là in the same structure as the example.

True or false

Is this sentence correct? 'Tôi đúng là sinh viên.'

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Answer: False

Explanation: Use 'là' for simple identity statements, not 'đúng là'.

Correction

Correct this sentence: 'Tôi đúng là sinh viên.'

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Answer: Tôi là sinh viên.

Explanation: Simple identity statements do not require 'đúng là'.

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