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In Vietnamese, there are unique expressions that combine negative words to express a “strong affirmation” or to soften the nuance of a sentence. Mastering these will greatly enrich your expressive power in conversation. In this lesson, let’s learn 5 commonly used patterns.
① không ~ nào (là/mà) không ~
This expression emphasizes a total affirmation meaning “there is no ~ that is not …,” in other words, “everything/everyone is ….” It is used when you want to emphasize that there are absolutely no exceptions.
Example Sentences:
① Không việc nào là không khó khăn cả.
→ There is no job that is not difficult. (Every job is tough.)
② Không người Việt Nam nào là không biết đến phở.
→ There is no Vietnamese person who doesn’t know Pho.
③ Không ai là không muốn hạnh phúc.
→ There is no one who does not want to be happy.
④ Không có bữa tiệc nào mà không tàn.
→ There is no party that does not come to an end. (All good things must come to an end.)
② không thể không ~
This expresses a strong obligation or emotion, meaning “cannot help but ~,” in other words, “cannot avoid doing ~” or “must definitely do ~.”
Example Sentences:
① Tôi không thể không lo lắng cho anh ấy.
→ I cannot help but worry about him.
② Bạn không thể không ăn thử món này khi đến đây.
→ You cannot visit here without trying this dish (You absolutely must try it).
③ Điều đó không thể không xảy ra.
→ There is no way that won’t happen (It will definitely happen).
③ không phải là không ~
This corresponds to “it’s not that ~ not ~” in English. Instead of a complete negation, it implies that “it is somewhat ~” or “there is a possibility,” and is used to soften the expression.
Example Sentences:
① Tôi không phải là không thích, nhưng giá hơi cao.
→ It’s not that I don’t like it, but the price is a bit high.
② Không phải là không có cách, nhưng rất khó thực hiện.
→ It’s not that there is no way, but it is very difficult to execute.
③ Anh ấy không phải là không biết, chỉ là không muốn nói thôi.
→ It’s not that he doesn’t know; he just doesn’t want to say it.
④ không hẳn là ~
This is a partial negation expression meaning “not necessarily ~” or “it doesn’t mean that ~.” It is useful when you want to avoid making a definitive statement and convey something objectively or modestly.
Example Sentences:
① Đắt không hẳn là tốt.
→ Expensive is not necessarily good.
② Ý tôi không hẳn là như vậy.
→ That’s not necessarily what I meant.
③ Không hẳn là cô ấy giận, có lẽ cô ấy chỉ đang mệt.
→ It’s not necessarily that she is angry; maybe she is just tired.
⑤ làm gì có chuyện ~
This expression is frequently used in spoken language to strongly deny or refute what someone said or a certain situation, meaning “there’s no way that ~” or “it’s impossible that ~.”
Example Sentences:
① Làm gì có chuyện anh ấy nghỉ việc mà không báo trước.
→ There’s no way he would quit his job without prior notice.
② Làm gì có chuyện dễ dàng như thế!
→ There’s no way it’s that easy!
③ Làm gì có chuyện tôi lại quên sinh nhật bạn.
→ There’s no way I would forget your birthday.