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Grammar point
B1CommonComparisonNeutralIntermediate

Vietnamese 'khác hẳn' Usage (Completely Different)

'khác hẳn' expresses a very obvious or complete difference.

Quick explanation

Quick explanation

'khác hẳn' expresses a very obvious or complete difference.

English meanings

  • Completely different
  • Clearly different

Grammar pattern

A + khác hẳn + B

Examples

1

Từ “thì” khác hẳn từ “là”.

The words “thì” and “là” are completely different.

2

“Mà” trong câu này khác hẳn “nhưng”.

In this sentence, “mà” is clearly different from “nhưng”.

How to use it

The phrase 'khác hẳn' emphasizes a total or clear difference. The word 'hẳn' intensifies 'khác' and is often used to correct misunderstandings about similarities, especially in grammar comparisons.

  • Emphasizes obvious differences.
  • Commonly used in grammar contrasts.
  • Followed by the object of comparison.

Compared with English

Compared with English

The English phrase 'completely different' matches 'khác hẳn' in Vietnamese. It is stronger than just 'different'.

Common mistakes

Từ “thì” khác từ “là” hẳn.

Từ “thì” khác hẳn từ “là”.

'hẳn' should follow immediately after 'khác'.

“Mà” khác hẳn “nhưng” trong mọi câu.

“Mà” trong câu này khác hẳn “nhưng”.

Avoid generalizing differences to all contexts when it applies only in specific sentences.

Commonly confused grammar

Practice

Multiple choice

Which sentence correctly uses 'khác hẳn'?

Show answer
  • Từ “thì” khác hẳn từ “là”.
  • Từ “thì” khác từ “là” hẳn.
  • “Mà” khác hẳn “nhưng” trong mọi câu.

Answer: Từ “thì” khác hẳn từ “là”.

Explanation: Emphasizes obvious difference with correct word order.

Fill in the blank

Fill in the blank: Từ “thì” ____ từ “là”.

Show answer

Answer: Từ “thì” khác hẳn từ “là”.

Explanation: Emphasizes obvious difference with correct word order.

English to Vietnamese

Translate "The words “thì” and “là” are completely different." into Vietnamese.

Show answer

Answer: Từ “thì” khác hẳn từ “là”.

Explanation: Use khác hẳn in the same structure as the example.

True or false

True or False: Từ “thì” khác từ “là” hẳn.

Show answer

Answer: False

Explanation: 'hẳn' should follow immediately after 'khác'.

Correction

Correct the sentence: Từ “thì” khác từ “là” hẳn.

Show answer

Answer: Từ “thì” khác hẳn từ “là”.

Explanation: 'hẳn' should follow immediately after 'khác'.

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