Vietnamese Topic + thì + Comment Usage (Topic First, Explanation After 'thì')
Topic + thì + comment means the topic comes first, followed by an explanation introduced by 'thì'.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
Topic + thì + comment means the topic comes first, followed by an explanation introduced by 'thì'.
English meanings
- Topic first, then explanation after 'thì'
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
In Vietnamese, the structure 'Topic + thì + comment' is used to highlight the topic and then provide a comment or explanation about it. The word 'thì' here functions as a topic marker and is not a verb meaning 'to be' nor a sentence-final particle. It separates the topic from the comment, similar to how in English we might say 'As for coffee, I like it.' or 'Regarding coffee, I like it.' This structure is common in Vietnamese to emphasize or contrast topics.
- The part before 'thì' is the topic being discussed.
- In conditional sentences, 'thì' marks the result clause.
- Do not place 'thì' at the end of a sentence or treat it like the verb 'to be.'
Compared with English
Compared with English
English often uses phrases like 'As for...' or 'Regarding...' to mark topics, which is similar to Vietnamese 'thì' marking the topic before the comment. For example, 'As for coffee, I like it' corresponds to 'Cà phê thì tôi thích.' It is incorrect to translate 'thì' as 'is' in this context.
Common mistakes
Cà phê tôi thích thì.
Cà phê thì tôi thích.
'thì' should be placed after the topic and before the comment, not at the end.
Nếu mưa tôi thì ở nhà.
Nếu mưa thì tôi ở nhà.
In conditional sentences, 'thì' comes before the result clause.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'As for coffee, I like it'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'As for coffee, I like it'?
- Cà phê thì tôi thích.
- Cà phê tôi thích thì.
- Thì cà phê tôi thích.
Answer: Cà phê thì tôi thích.
Explanation: 'thì' is placed after the topic 'Cà phê'.
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 topic is placed before 'thì'.
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 Topic + thì + comment in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Topic + thì + comment can follow English word order exactly.
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True or false
Topic + thì + comment 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: Cà phê tôi thích thì.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Cà phê tôi thích thì.
Answer: Cà phê thì tôi thích.
Explanation: 'thì' is not a sentence-final particle; it marks the topic before the comment.