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Grammar point
B2Medium frequencyTopic and FocusFormalUpper intermediate

Vietnamese 'theo như' Usage (According to/Based On)

'theo như' means "according to/based on." Its actual function and register depend on the sentence structure and examples in this lesson.

Quick explanation

Quick explanation

'theo như' means "according to/based on." Its actual function and register depend on the sentence structure and examples in this lesson.

English meanings

  • according to
  • based on

Grammar pattern

theo như + N/clause

Examples

1

Theo như tôi hiểu, câu này không tự nhiên lắm.

According to my understanding, this sentence is not very natural.

2

Theo như kế hoạch, chúng ta bắt đầu lúc tám giờ.

According to the plan, we start at eight o'clock.

How to use it

'theo như' indicates the source or basis of understanding, plans, rules, or someone's statement.

  • 'theo như' can be followed by a person's understanding, plan, statement, etc.
  • It implies a stronger basis or source than 'nghe nói.'
  • For formal basis, compare with 'căn cứ vào' or 'dựa trên.'

Compared with English

Compared with English

English 'according to my understanding' often appears at the beginning of a sentence; Vietnamese 'theo như tôi hiểu' similarly appears at the start, followed by a comma and the judgment.

Common mistakes

Theo như, câu này không tự nhiên lắm.

Theo như tôi hiểu, câu này không tự nhiên lắm.

'theo như' must be followed by the source or viewpoint subject; it cannot stand alone.

Theo như nghe nói quán này nổi tiếng.

Nghe nói quán này rất nổi tiếng.

For simple hearsay, use 'nghe nói' instead of 'theo như nghe nói.'

Commonly confused grammar

Practice

Multiple choice

What does 'theo như' usually introduce?

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  • Source of understanding or basis
  • Sentence-final mood
  • Negation of completion

Answer: Source of understanding or basis

Explanation: 'theo như' indicates the basis of understanding, plan, or statement.

Fill in the blank

Fill in the blank: ____ tôi hiểu, câu này không tự nhiên lắm.

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Answer: Theo như tôi hiểu, câu này không tự nhiên lắm.

Explanation: 'theo như' can be followed by a person's understanding, plan, or statement.

English to Vietnamese

Translate "According to my understanding, this sentence is not very natural." into Vietnamese.

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Answer: Theo như tôi hiểu, câu này không tự nhiên lắm.

Explanation: Use theo như in the same structure as the example.

True or false

Is this sentence correct? Theo như, câu này không tự nhiên lắm.

Show answer

Answer: False

Explanation: 'theo như' must be followed by the source or viewpoint subject; it cannot stand alone.

Correction

Correct this sentence: Theo như kế hoạch chúng ta bắt đầu lúc tám giờ.

Show answer

Answer: Theo như kế hoạch, chúng ta bắt đầu lúc tám giờ.

Explanation: Add a comma after the introductory phrase for clarity.

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