Vietnamese 'kh么ng' Usage (not/no)
'kh么ng' is commonly used to express negation such as 'not' or 'no'.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'kh么ng' is commonly used to express negation such as 'not' or 'no'.
English meanings
- not
- no
- do not
- does not
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
T么i kh么ng u峄憂g c脿 ph锚.
I do not drink coffee.
2
H么m nay t么i kh么ng r岷h.
I am not free today.
How to use it
'kh么ng' is placed before verbs or adjectives to negate actions, states, or qualities. It cannot replace more specific negations like 'ch瓢a' (not yet) or 'kh么ng ph岷' (is not).
- The basic structure is subject + kh么ng + verb or adjective.
- For negating identity, 'kh么ng ph岷' is commonly used.
- Yes/no questions often use the pattern 'C贸 ... kh么ng?'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
English distinguishes 'not' and 'no' with complex rules; Vietnamese 'kh么ng' is a general negation. For 'not yet', Vietnamese uses 'ch瓢a', and for 'is not', 'kh么ng ph岷' is often used.
Common mistakes
T么i u峄憂g kh么ng c脿 ph锚.
T么i kh么ng u峄憂g c脿 ph锚.
'kh么ng' must be placed before the verb it negates.
T么i kh么ng sinh vi锚n.
T么i kh么ng ph岷 l脿 sinh vi锚n.
For negating identity, 'kh么ng ph岷' is more natural.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly places 'kh么ng'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly places 'kh么ng'?
- T么i kh么ng u峄憂g c脿 ph锚.
- T么i u峄憂g kh么ng c脿 ph锚.
- Kh么ng t么i u峄憂g c脿 ph锚.
Answer: T么i kh么ng u峄憂g c脿 ph锚.
Explanation: 'kh么ng' should be placed before the verb 'u峄憂g'.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: T么i ____ u峄憂g c脿 ph锚.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: T么i ____ u峄憂g c脿 ph锚.
Answer: T么i kh么ng u峄憂g c脿 ph锚.
Explanation: The basic position is subject + kh么ng + verb or adjective.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I do not drink coffee." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I do not drink coffee." into Vietnamese.
Answer: T么i kh么ng u峄憂g c脿 ph锚.
Explanation: Use kh么ng in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? T么i u峄憂g kh么ng c脿 ph锚.
Show answer
True or false
Is this sentence correct? T么i u峄憂g kh么ng c脿 ph锚.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'kh么ng' must precede the verb it negates.
Correction
Correct this sentence: C么 岷 膽i kh么ng l脿m h么m nay.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: C么 岷 膽i kh么ng l脿m h么m nay.
Answer: C么 岷 kh么ng 膽i l脿m h么m nay.
Explanation: When negating the action '膽i l脿m', 'kh么ng' should be placed before '膽i'.