Vietnamese 'thay vì' Usage (Instead of / Rather than)
'thay vì' is commonly used to express 'instead of' or 'rather than', an important structure for learners.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'thay vì' is commonly used to express 'instead of' or 'rather than', an important structure for learners.
English meanings
- Instead of
- Rather than
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Thay vì đi taxi, tôi đi xe buýt.
Instead of taking a taxi, I take the bus.
2
Thay vì trách người khác, hãy tự sửa mình.
Rather than blaming others, improve yourself.
How to use it
'thay vì' means 'instead of' or 'rather than ... better to ...', introducing an unchosen option, with the main clause stating the actual or suggested choice.
- 'thay vì' can be followed by a noun or verb phrase.
- The main clause states the alternative or better choice.
- Do not treat 'thay vì' as a contrastive conjunction meaning 'on the contrary'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Like English 'rather than blame others, improve yourself', Vietnamese 'thay vì' first states the replaced option, then the actual or recommended choice.
Common mistakes
Thay vì đi taxi, bằng xe buýt.
Thay vì đi taxi, tôi đi xe buýt.
The main clause needs a full subject and verb to state the actual choice.
Tôi đi xe buýt thay vì tôi đi taxi.
Tôi đi xe buýt thay vì đi taxi.
When subjects are the same, 'thay vì' is followed directly by a verb phrase.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
What usually follows 'thay vì'?
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Multiple choice
What usually follows 'thay vì'?
- The replaced option
- The main result
- Sentence-final particle
Answer: The replaced option
Explanation: 'thay vì' first states the option not taken, then the actual choice.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ đi taxi, tôi đi xe buýt.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ đi taxi, tôi đi xe buýt.
Answer: Thay vì đi taxi, tôi đi xe buýt.
Explanation: 'thay vì' can be followed by a noun or verb phrase.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Instead of taking a taxi, I take the bus." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "Instead of taking a taxi, I take the bus." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Thay vì đi taxi, tôi đi xe buýt.
Explanation: Use thay vì in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Thay vì đi taxi, bằng xe buýt.'
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True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Thay vì đi taxi, bằng xe buýt.'
Answer: False
Explanation: The main clause needs a full subject and verb to state the actual choice.
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Thay vì trách người khác.'
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Thay vì trách người khác.'
Answer: Thay vì trách người khác, hãy tự sửa mình.
Explanation: 'thay vì' clause should be followed by a suggestion or actual choice.