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Grammar point
A2Very commonComparisonNeutralElementary

Vietnamese kh么ng b岷眓g Usage (Not as... as)

'kh么ng b岷眓g' expresses that A is not as [adjective] as B, similar to 'not as... as' in English.

Quick explanation

Quick explanation

'kh么ng b岷眓g' expresses that A is not as [adjective] as B, similar to 'not as... as' in English.

English meanings

  • Not as... as
  • Less than

Grammar pattern

A + kh么ng + Adj + b岷眓g + B

Examples

1

T么i kh么ng cao b岷眓g anh 岷.

I am not as tall as him.

2

M贸n n脿y kh么ng ngon b岷眓g m贸n kia.

This dish is not as delicious as that one.

How to use it

'kh么ng b岷眓g' is the negative form of the comparative 'b岷眓g' and is used to indicate that A is inferior to B in some quality. The adjective is placed between 'kh么ng' and 'b岷眓g,' for example, 'kh么ng cao b岷眓g' means 'not as tall as.' Learners often mistakenly translate 'not as...' as 'kh么ng nh瓢,' but 'kh么ng b岷眓g' is more natural for expressing degree comparisons.

  • Use 'kh么ng b岷眓g' for negative equality comparisons.
  • The adjective goes between 'kh么ng' and 'b岷眓g.'
  • For simply saying 'not like,' use 'kh么ng gi峄憂g' or 'kh么ng nh瓢.'

Compared with English

Compared with English

The English sentence 'I am not as tall as him' corresponds to 'T么i kh么ng cao b岷眓g anh 岷,' where the adjective 'cao' is placed between 'kh么ng' and 'b岷眓g.'

Common mistakes

T么i kh么ng b岷眓g cao anh 岷.

T么i kh么ng cao b岷眓g anh 岷.

The adjective 'cao' must be placed between 'kh么ng' and 'b岷眓g.'

M贸n n脿y kh么ng nh瓢 ngon m贸n kia.

M贸n n脿y kh么ng ngon b岷眓g m贸n kia.

Use 'kh么ng + adjective + b岷眓g' to express 'not as... as'.

Commonly confused grammar

Practice

Multiple choice

Which sentence means 'I am not as tall as him'?

Show answer
  • T么i kh么ng cao b岷眓g anh 岷.
  • T么i kh么ng b岷眓g cao anh 岷.
  • T么i cao kh么ng b岷眓g anh 岷.

Answer: T么i kh么ng cao b岷眓g anh 岷.

Explanation: 'kh么ng + adjective + b岷眓g + comparison object' is the correct structure.

Fill in the blank

Fill in the blank: T么i ____ cao b岷眓g anh 岷.

Show answer

Answer: T么i kh么ng cao b岷眓g anh 岷.

Explanation: 'kh么ng b岷眓g' is used for negative equality comparisons.

English to Vietnamese

Translate "I am not as tall as him." into Vietnamese.

Show answer

Answer: T么i kh么ng cao b岷眓g anh 岷.

Explanation: Use kh么ng b岷眓g in the same structure as the example.

True or false

Is 'T么i kh么ng b岷眓g cao anh 岷' correct?

Show answer

Answer: False

Explanation: The adjective 'cao' must be between 'kh么ng' and 'b岷眓g.'

Correction

Correct this sentence: T么i kh么ng b岷眓g cao anh 岷.

Show answer

Answer: T么i kh么ng cao b岷眓g anh 岷.

Explanation: 'cao' must be placed between 'kh么ng' and 'b岷眓g.'

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