How to Use không hề in Vietnamese (completely not / not at all)
không hề is used to strongly emphasize the complete absence of an action, feeling, or state. It is similar to 'completely not' or 'not at all' in English.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
không hề is used to strongly emphasize the complete absence of an action, feeling, or state. It is similar to 'completely not' or 'not at all' in English.
English meanings
- completely not
- not at all
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi không hề biết chuyện đó.
I had absolutely no idea about that.
2
Câu này không hề khó.
This sentence is not difficult at all.
How to use it
không hề is stronger than just không. It is often used to refute, clarify, or stress that you absolutely did not do something. It can appear in both spoken and written Vietnamese, but its tone is strong and not suitable for all negative sentences.
- Used to emphasize a complete lack of something.
- Often carries a clarifying or refuting tone.
- For neutral, ordinary negation, just use không.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'not' and 'not at all' have different strengths. Vietnamese uses không hề to intensify the negation. Do not overuse không hề in ordinary negative sentences.
Common mistakes
Hôm nay tôi không hề uống cà phê.
Hôm nay tôi không uống cà phê.
If you simply mean you didn't drink coffee today, không hề is unnecessary.
Tôi hề không biết chuyện đó.
Tôi không hề biết chuyện đó.
The fixed order is không hề before the verb.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'I had absolutely no idea about that'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'I had absolutely no idea about that'?
- Tôi không hề biết chuyện đó.
- Tôi hề không biết chuyện đó.
- Tôi chưa hề là chuyện đó.
Answer: Tôi không hề biết chuyện đó.
Explanation: không hề comes before the verb to strongly emphasize negation.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ biết chuyện đó.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ biết chuyện đó.
Answer: Tôi không hề biết chuyện đó.
Explanation: Use không hề to emphasize complete absence.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I had absolutely no idea about that." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I had absolutely no idea about that." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi không hề biết chuyện đó.
Explanation: Use không hề in the same structure as the example.
True or false
không hề can be used in all the same ways as 'not' in English.
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True or false
không hề can be used in all the same ways as 'not' in English.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vietnamese negation depends on whether you are negating an action, identity, completion, ability, necessity, or command.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi hề không biết chuyện đó.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi hề không biết chuyện đó.
Answer: Tôi không hề biết chuyện đó.
Explanation: The fixed order is không hề + verb.