Vietnamese không bằng Usage (Not as... as)
'không bằng' expresses that A is not as [adjective] as B, similar to 'not as... as' in English.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'không bằng' 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
Examples
1
Tôi không cao bằng anh ấy.
I am not as tall as him.
2
Món này không ngon bằng món kia.
This dish is not as delicious as that one.
How to use it
'không bằng' is the negative form of the comparative 'bằng' and is used to indicate that A is inferior to B in some quality. The adjective is placed between 'không' and 'bằng,' for example, 'không cao bằng' means 'not as tall as.' Learners often mistakenly translate 'not as...' as 'không như,' but 'không bằng' is more natural for expressing degree comparisons.
- Use 'không bằng' for negative equality comparisons.
- The adjective goes between 'không' and 'bằng.'
- For simply saying 'not like,' use 'không giống' or 'không như.'
Compared with English
Compared with English
The English sentence 'I am not as tall as him' corresponds to 'Tôi không cao bằng anh ấy,' where the adjective 'cao' is placed between 'không' and 'bằng.'
Common mistakes
Tôi không bằng cao anh ấy.
Tôi không cao bằng anh ấy.
The adjective 'cao' must be placed between 'không' and 'bằng.'
Món này không như ngon món kia.
Món này không ngon bằng món kia.
Use 'không + adjective + bằng' to express 'not as... as'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'I am not as tall as him'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'I am not as tall as him'?
- Tôi không cao bằng anh ấy.
- Tôi không bằng cao anh ấy.
- Tôi cao không bằng anh ấy.
Answer: Tôi không cao bằng anh ấy.
Explanation: 'không + adjective + bằng + comparison object' is the correct structure.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ cao bằng anh ấy.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ cao bằng anh ấy.
Answer: Tôi không cao bằng anh ấy.
Explanation: 'không bằng' is used for negative equality comparisons.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I am not as tall as him." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I am not as tall as him." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi không cao bằng anh ấy.
Explanation: Use không bằng in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is 'Tôi không bằng cao anh ấy' correct?
Show answer
True or false
Is 'Tôi không bằng cao anh ấy' correct?
Answer: False
Explanation: The adjective 'cao' must be between 'không' and 'bằng.'
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi không bằng cao anh ấy.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi không bằng cao anh ấy.
Answer: Tôi không cao bằng anh ấy.
Explanation: 'cao' must be placed between 'không' and 'bằng.'
Related grammar
Want to use the “Not as... as” structure naturally?
If you’re studying không bằng, a teacher can help you choose the right word order, tone, and register in conversation. Work with Trang (Central/Southern accents). Ask the teacher about a trial lesson.
Focus:không bằng — “Not as... as”