Contrastive guide
Vietnamese and English Grammar Compared
Use English as a reference point without assuming the two languages divide tense, identity, number, and information structure in the same way.
Major differences
Verbs do not conjugate
Vietnamese verbs keep the same form across person and time. Context and optional markers such as đã, đang, and sẽ carry the time reference.
Adjectives can be predicates
Vietnamese does not insert là before ordinary adjective predicates, unlike English “be + adjective.”
Noun phrases work differently
Vietnamese has no direct article system like “a” and “the”; numerals, classifiers, demonstratives, and context identify the noun.
Modifiers usually follow nouns
Many adjectives, possessors, and relative clauses follow the noun they modify.
Question words stay in place
Vietnamese generally keeps ai, gì, đâu, and bao nhiêu in the position of the requested information.
Topic and social tone are grammatical
thì, mà, address terms, and final particles make topic structure and interpersonal stance more explicit than English often does.
Continue with detailed grammar points
là
to be (is/are/am)
'là' is commonly used to mean 'to be' and is a fundamental structure for learners.
Tôi là sinh viên.
I am a student.
đã
already
'đã' is commonly used to indicate that an action has already happened.
Tôi đã ăn cơm.
I have already eaten.
đang
currently (in progress)
'đang' is commonly used to indicate an action is currently in progress.
Tôi đang học tiếng Việt.
I am studying Vietnamese.
sẽ
will (future tense)
'sẽ' is commonly used to indicate future actions or events.
Ngày mai tôi sẽ đi Hà Nội.
I will go to Hanoi tomorrow.
mà
But; Though; You know
'mà' is frequently used to express mild contrast ('but', 'though') or as a sentence-final particle indicating reminder, explanation, or emphasis, essential for learners.
Anh ấy thông minh mà lười.
He is smart but lazy.
thì
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.
Cà phê thì tôi thích, nhưng trà thì không.
As for coffee, I like it, but as for tea, I don't.
cái
piece; item; general classifier for objects
'cái' is the most common classifier for objects in Vietnamese, used for general items and things you can pick up. It also appears in phrases like 'this one' or 'that one.'
Tôi mua một cái bàn mới.
I bought a new table.
N + tính từ
adjectives follow nouns
In Vietnamese, adjectives usually come after the noun they modify, for example áo đỏ ('red shirt').
Tôi mua một cái áo đỏ.
I bought a red shirt.
từ hỏi ở vị trí nội dung
Question words stay in content position
Vietnamese question words usually stay in the position of the information being asked about, not at the beginning of the sentence.
Bạn ăn gì?
What do you eat?