Vietnamese 'không đâu' Usage (No, Not At All)
'không đâu' is a colloquial negation used to soften a denial or refusal, similar to 'no, not at all' or 'that's not true'.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'không đâu' is a colloquial negation used to soften a denial or refusal, similar to 'no, not at all' or 'that's not true'.
English meanings
- no, not at all
- that's not true
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Không đâu, tôi không giận bạn.
No, I am not angry with you.
2
Bạn đừng lo, không sao đâu.
Don't worry, it's okay.
How to use it
'không đâu' often appears in responses or reassurances, sounding more natural and gentle than 'không' alone. It is not the location word 'đâu' meaning 'where', but part of a phrase expressing negation.
- Commonly used in answers, reassurances, or denials.
- 'đâu' here is not a question word for location.
- Rarely used in formal writing.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, people say 'no, no way' or 'not at all' to soften negation; Vietnamese uses 'không đâu' similarly, not literally as 'no where'.
Common mistakes
Tôi không đâu uống cà phê.
Tôi không uống cà phê.
'không đâu' is not used to negate actions directly before verbs.
Không ở đâu, tôi không giận bạn.
Không đâu, tôi không giận bạn.
'không đâu' is a colloquial negation phrase, not 'không ở đâu'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence sounds like the colloquial 'No, I am not angry' response?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence sounds like the colloquial 'No, I am not angry' response?
- Không đâu, tôi không giận bạn.
- Tôi không đâu giận bạn.
- Đâu không tôi giận bạn.
Answer: Không đâu, tôi không giận bạn.
Explanation: 'không đâu' is used for gentle negation in responses.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____, tôi không giận bạn.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____, tôi không giận bạn.
Answer: Không đâu, tôi không giận bạn.
Explanation: Used in answers, reassurances, or denials.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "No, I am not angry with you." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "No, I am not angry with you." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Không đâu, tôi không giận bạn.
Explanation: Use không đâu in the same structure as the example.
True or false
'không đâu' can be used exactly like the English 'not'.
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True or false
'không đâu' can be used exactly like the English 'not'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vietnamese negation depends on what is negated: action, identity, completion, ability, necessity, or command.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi không đâu uống cà phê.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi không đâu uống cà phê.
Answer: Tôi không uống cà phê.
Explanation: 'không + verb' is the correct negation for actions.