Vietnamese 'hơn' Usage (More than...)
'hơn' is commonly used to express 'more than...', an essential structure for learners.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'hơn' is commonly used to express 'more than...', an essential structure for learners.
English meanings
- More than...
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi cao hơn em trai.
I am taller than my younger brother.
2
Món này rẻ hơn món kia.
This dish is cheaper than that dish.
How to use it
'hơn' indicates comparison meaning 'more/better than...', usually placed after an adjective or adverb, followed by the object of comparison.
- Basic pattern: A + adjective + hơn + B.
- If no comparison object is mentioned, just say 'rẻ hơn', 'tốt hơn'.
- Do not put 'hơn' after the subject as in English 'than'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'more' or 'than' is placed before the adjective or after it; in Vietnamese, 'hơn' always follows the adjective, e.g. 'Tôi cao hơn anh ấy' means 'I am taller than him.'
Common mistakes
Tôi hơn cao anh ấy.
Tôi cao hơn anh ấy.
'hơn' follows the adjective 'cao', not before it.
Món này hơn rẻ món kia.
Món này rẻ hơn món kia.
The order is adjective + hơn + object.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which is the natural Vietnamese for 'I am taller than my younger brother'?
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Multiple choice
Which is the natural Vietnamese for 'I am taller than my younger brother'?
- Tôi cao hơn em trai.
- Tôi hơn cao em trai.
- Tôi cao em trai hơn.
Answer: Tôi cao hơn em trai.
Explanation: 'hơn' follows the adjective 'cao'.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi cao ____ em trai.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi cao ____ em trai.
Answer: Tôi cao hơn em trai.
Explanation: Basic pattern: A + adjective + hơn + B.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I am taller than my younger brother." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I am taller than my younger brother." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi cao hơn em trai.
Explanation: Use hơn in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? Tôi hơn cao anh ấy.
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True or false
Is this sentence correct? Tôi hơn cao anh ấy.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'hơn' follows the adjective 'cao', not before it.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Anh ấy hơn trẻ tôi.
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Correction
Correct this sentence: Anh ấy hơn trẻ tôi.
Answer: Anh ấy trẻ hơn tôi.
Explanation: 'hơn' follows the adjective 'trẻ'.