Vietnamese 'mỗi khi' Usage (Whenever / Every time)
'mỗi khi' indicates that whenever one situation occurs, another usually happens as well.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'mỗi khi' indicates that whenever one situation occurs, another usually happens as well.
English meanings
- whenever
- every time
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Mỗi khi trời mưa, tôi nhớ quê nhà.
Whenever it rains, I think of my hometown.
2
Mỗi khi học từ mới, tôi viết ví dụ.
Every time I learn new words, I write examples.
How to use it
'mỗi khi' describes repeated time conditions, focusing on regularity or habit. It is not used for single events; for one-time occurrences, use 'khi'.
- Indicates repeated or habitual time situations.
- Commonly used for routines, feelings, and habits.
- Do not use for single time points.
Compared with English
Compared with English
English 'whenever' corresponds to 'mỗi khi'; for single events like 'when I get home', 'khi' or 'khi ... thì' is more natural.
Common mistakes
Mỗi khi tôi đến Hà Nội hôm qua, tôi gặp bạn.
Khi tôi đến Hà Nội hôm qua, tôi gặp bạn.
A single event yesterday should use 'khi', not 'mỗi khi'.
Mỗi khi sau khi ăn, tôi uống trà.
Sau khi ăn, tôi uống trà.
'mỗi khi' and 'sau khi' should not be stacked redundantly.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'mỗi khi'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'mỗi khi'?
- Mỗi khi trời mưa, tôi nhớ quê nhà.
- Mỗi khi tôi đến Hà Nội hôm qua, tôi gặp bạn.
- Mỗi khi sau khi ăn, tôi uống trà.
Answer: Mỗi khi trời mưa, tôi nhớ quê nhà.
Explanation: Indicates repeated or habitual time situations.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ trời mưa, tôi nhớ quê nhà.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ trời mưa, tôi nhớ quê nhà.
Answer: Mỗi khi trời mưa, tôi nhớ quê nhà.
Explanation: Indicates repeated or habitual time situations.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Whenever it rains, I think of my hometown." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "Whenever it rains, I think of my hometown." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Mỗi khi trời mưa, tôi nhớ quê nhà.
Explanation: Use mỗi khi in the same structure as the example.
True or false
'mỗi khi' can replace all English time words without considering whether the action is completed or ongoing.
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True or false
'mỗi khi' can replace all English time words without considering whether the action is completed or ongoing.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vietnamese tense and aspect markers depend on action state, speech time, and context; they cannot be learned by memorizing English equivalents.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Mỗi khi tôi đến Hà Nội hôm qua, tôi gặp bạn.
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Correction
Correct this sentence: Mỗi khi tôi đến Hà Nội hôm qua, tôi gặp bạn.
Answer: Khi tôi đến Hà Nội hôm qua, tôi gặp bạn.
Explanation: A single event yesterday should use 'khi', not 'mỗi khi'.