Vietnamese thì Usage (then/so/topic marker)
The particle thì is commonly used to mean "then", "so", or as a topic marker. It is an essential structure for learners to master early on.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
The particle thì is commonly used to mean "then", "so", or as a topic marker. It is an essential structure for learners to master early on.
English meanings
- then
- so
- topic marker
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Cà phê thì tôi thích, nhưng trà thì không.
As for coffee, I like it, but as for tea, I don't.
2
Nếu mưa thì tôi ở nhà.
If it rains, then I stay at home.
How to use it
The particle thì functions as a topic marker, indicating "as for..." or "regarding...", and also appears in conditional sentences with nếu ... thì to mark the result. It highlights contrast or scope in a sentence.
- The structure 'topic + thì + comment' emphasizes contrast or limits the scope.
- In conditional sentences 'nếu ... thì', thì marks the result clause.
- Use là (not thì) for identity or classification statements.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, we might say "As for coffee, I like it" to introduce a topic; Vietnamese uses the pattern Topic + thì + comment. It's important not to interpret thì simply as "is".
Common mistakes
Tôi thì sinh viên.
Tôi là sinh viên.
Use là, not thì, for identity statements.
Cà phê tôi thích, nhưng trà thì không.
Cà phê thì tôi thích, nhưng trà thì không.
When contrasting topics like coffee and tea, use thì on both sides to mark the topics.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
The pattern Topic + thì + comment most closely corresponds to which English expression?
Show answer
Multiple choice
The pattern Topic + thì + comment most closely corresponds to which English expression?
- As for... / Regarding...
- Not... but rather...
- To the extent of...
Answer: As for... / Regarding...
Explanation: Here, thì marks the topic, not the verb 'to be'.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Cà phê ____ tôi thích, nhưng trà thì không.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Cà phê ____ tôi thích, nhưng trà thì không.
Answer: Cà phê thì tôi thích, nhưng trà thì không.
Explanation: The structure 'topic + thì + comment' highlights contrast or scope.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "As for coffee, I like it, but as for tea, I don't." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "As for coffee, I like it, but as for tea, I don't." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Cà phê thì tôi thích, nhưng trà thì không.
Explanation: Use thì in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? Tôi thì sinh viên.
Show answer
True or false
Is this sentence correct? Tôi thì sinh viên.
Answer: False
Explanation: Use là, not thì, for identity statements.
Correction
Correct the sentence: Anh ấy thì bác sĩ.
Show answer
Correction
Correct the sentence: Anh ấy thì bác sĩ.
Answer: Anh ấy là bác sĩ.
Explanation: Use là for profession or identity statements.