Vietnamese không/chưa + Verb Usage (Negation Words Before Verbs)
Vietnamese negation words 'không' and 'chưa' are usually placed before the verb or adjective they negate.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
Vietnamese negation words 'không' and 'chưa' are usually placed before the verb or adjective they negate.
English meanings
- Negation words placed before verbs
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi không uống cà phê.
I do not drink coffee.
2
Tôi chưa ăn sáng.
I have not eaten breakfast yet.
How to use it
In Vietnamese, negation words such as 'không' (not) and 'chưa' (not yet) are placed directly before the verb or adjective they negate. This is similar to English where 'not' precedes the verb. However, learners often mistakenly place negation words at the end of the sentence or confuse the usage of 'không' and 'chưa.' The basic sentence structure is Subject + không/chưa + Verb.
- 'không' expresses general negation.
- 'chưa' expresses 'not yet' or 'still not.'
- To negate identity or equivalence, use 'không phải.'
Compared with English
Compared with English
The English sentence 'I do not drink coffee' corresponds to 'Tôi không uống cà phê.' For 'I have not eaten yet,' use 'Tôi chưa ăn.'
Common mistakes
Tôi uống không cà phê.
Tôi không uống cà phê.
'không' should be placed before the verb 'uống.'
Tôi ăn sáng chưa.
Tôi chưa ăn sáng.
'chưa' indicating 'not yet' should be placed before the verb.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'I do not drink coffee'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'I do not drink coffee'?
- Tôi không uống cà phê.
- Tôi uống không cà phê.
- Tôi cà phê không uống.
Answer: Tôi không uống cà phê.
Explanation: 'không' is placed before the verb being negated.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ uống cà phê.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi ____ uống cà phê.
Answer: Tôi không uống cà phê.
Explanation: 'không' expresses general negation.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I do not drink coffee." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I do not drink coffee." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi không uống cà phê.
Explanation: Use không/chưa + V in the same structure as the example.
True or false
'không/chưa' + Verb can follow English word order exactly.
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True or false
'không/chưa' + Verb can follow English word order exactly.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vietnamese has its own word order rules that often differ from English.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi uống không cà phê.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi uống không cà phê.
Answer: Tôi không uống cà phê.
Explanation: 'không' negating the verb 'uống' should be placed before it.