Vietnamese 'như' Usage (Like / As)
'như' is commonly used to express 'like' or 'as', a structure English speakers should prioritize learning.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'như' is commonly used to express 'like' or 'as', a structure English speakers should prioritize learning.
English meanings
- like
- as
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Cô ấy hát hay như ca sĩ.
She sings as well as a singer.
2
Tôi muốn nói như người Việt.
I want to speak like a Vietnamese person.
How to use it
'như' means 'like' or 'as', used for similes, manner comparisons, or role imitation. It does not necessarily indicate equal degree but similarity in some aspect.
- Pattern: A + như + B means A is like B.
- After verbs, 'như' can indicate manner, e.g. 'nói như người Việt'.
- For equal degree comparisons, prefer 'bằng' over 'như'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
English 'like' can be followed by a noun or clause; Vietnamese 'như' is similarly flexible. For expressing 'as tall as' or 'as expensive as', 'bằng' is preferred over 'như'.
Common mistakes
Tôi cao như anh ấy.
Tôi cao bằng anh ấy.
Use 'bằng' for 'as tall as'; 'như' implies similarity, not equality.
Cô ấy hát như hay ca sĩ.
Cô ấy hát hay như ca sĩ.
'hay' modifies 'hát'; 'như ca sĩ' follows as the comparison object.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which English word is closest to 'như' in comparisons?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which English word is closest to 'như' in comparisons?
- like
- more than
- still
Answer: like
Explanation: 'như' emphasizes similarity or manner.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Cô ấy hát hay ____ ca sĩ.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Cô ấy hát hay ____ ca sĩ.
Answer: Cô ấy hát hay như ca sĩ.
Explanation: Pattern: A + như + B means A is like B.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "She sings as well as a singer." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "She sings as well as a singer." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Cô ấy hát hay như ca sĩ.
Explanation: Use như in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is 'Tôi cao như anh ấy.' correct for 'I am as tall as him.'?
Show answer
True or false
Is 'Tôi cao như anh ấy.' correct for 'I am as tall as him.'?
Answer: False
Explanation: Use 'bằng' for 'as tall as'; 'như' implies similarity, not equality.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi muốn như nói người Việt.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi muốn như nói người Việt.
Answer: Tôi muốn nói như người Việt.
Explanation: 'như người Việt' follows the verb phrase to indicate manner.