Vietnamese 'tuy ... nhưng' Usage (Although ... but)
'tuy ... nhưng' is commonly used to express contrast or concession, essential for learners.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'tuy ... nhưng' is commonly used to express contrast or concession, essential for learners.
English meanings
- Although ... but
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tuy mệt nhưng tôi vẫn đi làm.
Although tired, I still go to work.
2
Tuy món này cay nhưng rất ngon.
Although this dish is spicy, it is very delicious.
How to use it
'tuy ... nhưng' expresses 'although ... but'. The first clause presents a concession, the second clause states a contrasting or unexpected result. When emphasizing 'still', 'vẫn' is often added after 'nhưng'.
- 'tuy' introduces the concessive clause, 'nhưng' introduces the main judgment.
- In speech, sometimes only 'nhưng' is used for contrast.
- To emphasize 'still', use 'tuy ... nhưng vẫn ...'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Similar to English 'although ... but', Vietnamese uses 'tuy' for concession and 'nhưng' for contrast. 'Vẫn' adds emphasis on 'still'.
Common mistakes
Nhưng mệt tuy tôi vẫn đi làm.
Tuy mệt nhưng tôi vẫn đi làm.
'tuy' introduces the concession, 'nhưng' introduces the main contrast.
Tuy trời mưa nhưng.
Tuy trời mưa nhưng chúng tôi vẫn đi.
'nhưng' must be followed by a complete main clause.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
What relationship does 'tuy ... nhưng' express?
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Multiple choice
What relationship does 'tuy ... nhưng' express?
- Concession and contrast
- Cause and effect
- Purpose
Answer: Concession and contrast
Explanation: The first clause admits a situation, the second states a contrasting or unexpected result.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ tôi vẫn đi làm.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ tôi vẫn đi làm.
Answer: Tuy mệt nhưng tôi vẫn đi làm.
Explanation: 'tuy' introduces the concession, 'nhưng' introduces the main judgment.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Although tired, I still go to work." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "Although tired, I still go to work." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tuy mệt nhưng tôi vẫn đi làm.
Explanation: Use tuy ... nhưng in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Nhưng mệt tuy tôi vẫn đi làm.'
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True or false
Is this sentence correct? 'Nhưng mệt tuy tôi vẫn đi làm.'
Answer: False
Explanation: 'tuy' introduces concession, 'nhưng' introduces contrast; order matters.
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Tuy bận nhưng.'
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Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Tuy bận nhưng.'
Answer: Tuy bận nhưng cô ấy vẫn giúp tôi.
Explanation: 'nhưng' must be followed by a complete main clause.