How to Use 'kém' in Vietnamese (worse/inferior/weaker)
'kém' means 'worse', 'inferior', or 'less effective', often used in comparisons of ability, quality, or level.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'kém' means 'worse', 'inferior', or 'less effective', often used in comparisons of ability, quality, or level.
English meanings
- worse
- inferior
- weaker
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Cách này kém hiệu quả hơn.
This method is less effective.
2
Tôi kém tiếng Việt hơn bạn.
My Vietnamese is worse than yours.
How to use it
'kém' can be used as an adjective to mean 'bad' or 'poor', and in comparisons to mean 'not as good as'. It often has a negative tone and is commonly seen in phrases like 'học kém' (poor at studying), 'kém hiệu quả' (less effective), or 'kém hơn' (worse than).
- 'kém' has a negative connotation, so be mindful of tone.
- Common collocations: 'kém hiệu quả', 'học kém'.
- For simply lower degree, 'không bằng' can also be used.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'worse' can directly describe quality. In Vietnamese, 'kém' can be used similarly, but in comparisons, it is often paired with 'hơn' or a comparison target.
Common mistakes
Tôi tiếng Việt kém hơn bạn.
Tôi kém tiếng Việt hơn bạn.
When 'kém' is the predicate, it comes before the ability being described.
Cách này không bằng hiệu quả.
Cách này kém hiệu quả hơn.
To say something is less effective, use 'kém hiệu quả hơn'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'This method is less effective'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'This method is less effective'?
- Cách này kém hiệu quả hơn.
- Cách này hiệu quả kém hơn không.
- Cách này bằng hiệu quả hơn.
Answer: Cách này kém hiệu quả hơn.
Explanation: 'kém hiệu quả hơn' means 'less effective'.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Cách này ____ hiệu quả hơn.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Cách này ____ hiệu quả hơn.
Answer: Cách này kém hiệu quả hơn.
Explanation: 'kém' has a negative connotation, so use it carefully.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "This method is less effective." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "This method is less effective." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Cách này kém hiệu quả hơn.
Explanation: Use kém in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or false: Tôi tiếng Việt kém hơn bạn.
Show answer
True or false
True or false: Tôi tiếng Việt kém hơn bạn.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'kém' should come before the ability being described.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi tiếng Việt kém hơn bạn.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi tiếng Việt kém hơn bạn.
Answer: Tôi kém tiếng Việt hơn bạn.
Explanation: 'kém' should precede the ability being evaluated.