Vietnamese giống Usage (Like / Similar)
'giống' means 'like' or 'similar to,' expressing resemblance or sameness.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'giống' means 'like' or 'similar to,' expressing resemblance or sameness.
English meanings
- Like
- Similar to
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Cách nói này giống tiếng Anh.
This way of speaking is like English.
2
Hai câu này không giống nhau.
These two sentences are not the same.
How to use it
'giống' is used to indicate similarity or likeness between people, objects, or situations. It emphasizes resemblance, whereas 'bằng' emphasizes equality in degree, and 'như' is often used for similes or metaphors. The Vietnamese word for 'same' or 'identical' is more specific than the broad English concept of 'the same.' For example, 'Cái này giống cái kia' means 'This one is like that one.' For equal height, 'cao bằng' is used instead of 'giống.'
- 'giống' is followed by the object of comparison.
- 'giống nhau' means mutually similar or the same.
- For degree comparisons like 'as tall as' or 'as expensive as,' use 'bằng.'
Compared with English
Compared with English
The English sentence 'This one is like that one' corresponds to 'Cái này giống cái kia.' For 'the same height,' English and Vietnamese both use a structure equivalent to 'equal height' (cao bằng).
Common mistakes
Tôi cao giống anh ấy.
Tôi cao bằng anh ấy.
For equal height, use 'bằng' instead of 'giống.'
Hai câu này không bằng nhau.
Hai câu này không giống nhau.
To say two sentences are not the same, 'giống nhau' is more natural.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'This way of speaking is like English'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'This way of speaking is like English'?
- Cách nói này giống tiếng Anh.
- Cách nói này bằng tiếng Anh.
- Cách nói này hơn tiếng Anh.
Answer: Cách nói này giống tiếng Anh.
Explanation: 'giống' is used to express similarity.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Cách nói này ____ tiếng Anh.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Cách nói này ____ tiếng Anh.
Answer: Cách nói này giống tiếng Anh.
Explanation: 'giống' is followed by the object of comparison.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "This way of speaking is like English." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "This way of speaking is like English." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Cách nói này giống tiếng Anh.
Explanation: Use giống in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is 'Tôi cao giống anh ấy' correct?
Show answer
True or false
Is 'Tôi cao giống anh ấy' correct?
Answer: False
Explanation: For equal height, use 'bằng' instead of 'giống.'
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi cao giống anh ấy.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi cao giống anh ấy.
Answer: Tôi cao bằng anh ấy.
Explanation: Use 'bằng' for equal degree comparisons like height.