Vietnamese 'hễ ... là' Usage (whenever... then)
'hễ ... là' is commonly used to express 'whenever... then', an important structure for English speakers learning Vietnamese.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'hễ ... là' is commonly used to express 'whenever... then', an important structure for English speakers learning Vietnamese.
English meanings
- whenever... then
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Hễ trời mưa là đường kẹt xe.
Whenever it rains, the roads get congested.
2
Hễ rảnh là tôi đọc sách.
Whenever I have free time, I read books.
How to use it
'hễ ... là' means 'whenever... then...', emphasizing that whenever a certain condition occurs, the result naturally or habitually follows.
- 'hễ' introduces the condition, 'là' introduces the inevitable or usual result.
- Commonly used to describe habits, regular occurrences, or natural reactions.
- For a neutral 'if', use 'nếu ... thì' instead.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'whenever I have free time, I read books' expresses a repeated habit; similarly, Vietnamese 'hễ ... là' emphasizes regular or habitual conditions, not a single hypothetical event.
Common mistakes
Hễ trời mưa thì đường kẹt xe.
Hễ trời mưa là đường kẹt xe.
'hễ' is usually paired with 'là' to indicate that the condition always leads to the result.
Hễ ngày mai mưa là tôi ở nhà.
Nếu ngày mai mưa thì tôi ở nhà.
For a one-time future condition, 'nếu ... thì' is more natural; 'hễ' implies repeated or habitual conditions.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
What kind of condition does 'hễ ... là' usually express?
Show answer
Multiple choice
What kind of condition does 'hễ ... là' usually express?
- repeated conditions and results
- simple purpose
- past perfect
Answer: repeated conditions and results
Explanation: 'hễ' conveys a habitual or regular 'whenever... then...' meaning.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ đường kẹt xe.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ đường kẹt xe.
Answer: Hễ trời mưa là đường kẹt xe.
Explanation: 'hễ' introduces the condition, 'là' introduces the inevitable or usual result.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Whenever it rains, the roads get congested." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "Whenever it rains, the roads get congested." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Hễ trời mưa là đường kẹt xe.
Explanation: Use hễ ... là in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or False: Hễ trời mưa thì đường kẹt xe.
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True or false
True or False: Hễ trời mưa thì đường kẹt xe.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'hễ' is usually paired with 'là' to indicate that the condition always leads to the result.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Hễ tôi đói thì tôi ăn phở.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Hễ tôi đói thì tôi ăn phở.
Answer: Hễ tôi đói là tôi ăn phở.
Explanation: 'hễ' is commonly followed by 'là' to introduce the result.