The word “c\u00f2n” is very frequently used in daily Vietnamese conversation, but its meaning changes significantly depending on the context. In this lesson, we will summarize the five main usages of “c\u00f2n” commonly used by native speakers and explain the nuances and how to use each in detail.<\/p>\n
* This expresses the nuance that something is “still continuing”, “remaining”, or “not yet finished” in terms of time or state. It is often used with “v\u1eabn” (still).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u2460 Trong t\u1ee7 l\u1ea1nh c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> m\u1ed9t \u00edt s\u1eefa. \u2461 Sau b\u1eefa ti\u1ec7c, tr\u00ean b\u00e0n c\u00f2n <\/strong><\/span>v\u00e0i c\u00e1i b\u00e1nh. \u2462 \u00d4ng \u1ea5y \u0111\u00e3 gi\u00e0 nh\u01b0ng v\u1eabn<\/span><\/strong> c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> r\u1ea5t minh m\u1eabn. \u2463 \u0110\u00e3 khuya r\u1ed3i, c\u1eeda h\u00e0ng \u0111\u00f3 c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> m\u1edf c\u1eeda kh\u00f4ng? \u2464 Vi\u1ec7c n\u00e0y t\u00f4i c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> ph\u1ea3i suy ngh\u0129 th\u00eam. \u2465 Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i c\u00f2n<\/strong> <\/span>\u0111ang xem x\u00e9t h\u1ed3 s\u01a1 c\u1ee7a anh \u1ea5y. * Used to juxtapose two different subjects (people, things, matters) to contrast their differences or situations.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u2460 Anh \u1ea5y th\u00edch m\u00e0u xanh, c\u00f2n<\/strong> <\/span>t\u00f4i l\u1ea1i th\u00edch m\u00e0u \u0111\u1ecf. \u2461 Gi\u00e1 c\u1ea3 \u1edf th\u00e0nh ph\u1ed1 \u0111\u1eaft \u0111\u1ecf, c\u00f2n<\/strong> <\/span>\u1edf qu\u00ea th\u00ec r\u1ebb h\u01a1n nhi\u1ec1u. \u2462 Ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u1edbn lo l\u1eafng v\u1ec1 ti\u1ec1n b\u1ea1c, c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> tr\u1ebb con ch\u1ec9 lo ch\u01a1i. \u2463 C\u00f4 \u1ea5y \u0111i l\u00e0m b\u1eb1ng xe bu\u00fdt, c\u00f2n<\/strong> <\/span>ch\u1ed3ng c\u00f4 \u1ea5y \u0111i xe m\u00e1y. * Used to add another element or item to what has already been mentioned.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u2460 Anh \u1ea5y l\u00e0 gi\u00e1o vi\u00ean, c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t nh\u00e0 v\u0103n n\u1eefa. \u2461 M\u00f3n \u0103n n\u00e0y c\u00f3 th\u1ecbt, rau, c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> c\u00f3 c\u1ea3 m\u1ed9t lo\u1ea1i n\u01b0\u1edbc s\u1ed1t \u0111\u1eb7c bi\u1ec7t. \u2462 Ngo\u00e0i h\u1ecdc ti\u1ebfng Anh, t\u00f4i c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> \u0111ang h\u1ecdc ti\u1ebfng T\u00e2y Ban Nha. * To emphasize importance or necessity, it is common to place the auxiliary verb “ph\u1ea3i” immediately after “c\u00f2n”, meaning “furthermore, one must…”.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u2463 \u0110\u1ec3 gi\u1ea3i quy\u1ebft v\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 n\u00e0y, ch\u00fang ta c\u1ea7n nh\u00e2n l\u1ef1c, v\u1eadt l\u1ef1c, c\u00f2n ph\u1ea3i<\/strong><\/span> c\u00f3 th\u1eddi gian n\u1eefa.<\/span> \u2464 C\u00f4ng ty c\u1ea7n c\u1ea3i thi\u1ec7n ch\u1ea5t l\u01b0\u1ee3ng s\u1ea3n ph\u1ea9m, c\u00f2n ph\u1ea3i<\/strong><\/span> ch\u00fa tr\u1ecdng \u0111\u1ebfn d\u1ecbch v\u1ee5 kh\u00e1ch h\u00e0ng.<\/span> * Used to finish one topic and ask about another topic or subject. It carries the nuance of “As for…, how about…?”.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u2460 M\u00f3n \u0111\u00f3 ngon kh\u00f4ng? C\u00f2n<\/strong> <\/span>m\u00f3n n\u00e0y, b\u1ea1n th\u1ea5y th\u1ebf n\u00e0o? \u2461 D\u1ef1 \u00e1n n\u00e0y \u0111ang ti\u1ebfn tri\u1ec3n t\u1ed1t. C\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> v\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 v\u1ec1 ng\u00e2n s\u00e1ch th\u00ec sao? \u2462 Minh c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. C\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> c\u00e1c b\u1ea1n kh\u00e1c th\u00ec sao nh\u1ec9? * Used to emphasize the “remaining time” or “number of days left” until a specific event. It is often used with “Ch\u1ec9”, which means “only” or “just”.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u2460 Ch\u1ec9 c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> 10 ph\u00fat n\u1eefa<\/strong><\/span> l\u00e0<\/strong> t\u00e0u ch\u1ea1y. \u2461 C\u00f2n<\/span><\/strong> m\u1ea5y ng\u00e0y n\u1eefa<\/strong><\/span> l\u00e0<\/strong> \u0111\u1ebfn T\u1ebft. \u2462 Ch\u1ec9 c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> m\u1ed9t gi\u00e2y n\u1eefa<\/strong><\/span> l\u00e0<\/strong> h\u1ebft gi\u1edd. \u2463 T\u00f4i c\u00f2n<\/strong> ph\u1ea3i<\/strong><\/span> ch\u1edd 2 ti\u1ebfng n\u1eefa<\/strong><\/span> m\u1edbi \u0111\u1ebfn gi\u1edd h\u1eb9n. \u2464 C\u00f2n \u0111\u00fang<\/span><\/strong> 5 trang n\u1eefa<\/strong><\/span> l\u00e0<\/strong> t\u00f4i \u0111\u1ecdc xong cu\u1ed1n s\u00e1ch n\u00e0y.
\n\u2192 There is still a little milk left in the fridge.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 After the party, there are still a few cakes left on the table.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 He is old, but his mind is still very sharp.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 It’s late already, is that store still open?<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 I still have to think more about this matter.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>\u2192 We are still reviewing his application.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage \u2461: Contrast (= While \/ As for \/ On the other hand)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 He likes blue, while I like red.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Prices in the city are expensive, while in the countryside, they are much cheaper.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Adults worry about money, while children only care about playing.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 She goes to work by bus, as for her husband, he rides a motorbike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage \u2462: Addition \/ Listing (= Also \/ In addition \/ Furthermore)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 He is a teacher, and also a writer.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 This dish has meat, vegetables, and also a special sauce.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Besides studying English, I am also studying Spanish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u2192 To solve this problem, we need human resources, material resources, and furthermore, we need time.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u2192 The company needs to improve product quality, and in addition, it must focus on customer service.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage \u2463: Topic Shift (= What about…? \/ How about…?)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 Is that dish good? What about this dish, what do you think?<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 This project is progressing well. How about the budget issue?<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Minh can go. What about the other friends?<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage \u2464: Time Limitation (= Only … left until \/ In just …)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 In just 10 more minutes, the train will depart.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 There are only a few days left until Tet (Lunar New Year).<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Only one second left until time is up.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 I still have to wait another 2 hours until the appointment time.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Only exactly 5 pages left until I finish reading this book.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nCommonly used compound words and expressions<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n Expression<\/strong><\/td>\n Example Sentence<\/strong><\/td>\n Meaning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n C\u00f2n g\u00ec n\u1eefa<\/td>\n \u0110\u1ed3 con mu\u1ed1n mua c\u00f2n g\u00ec n\u1eefa<\/span><\/strong> kh\u00f4ng?<\/td>\n Is there anything else you want to buy? (Anything else?)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n C\u00f2n ai<\/td>\n T\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 v\u1ec1 h\u1ebft ch\u01b0a? C\u00f2n ai<\/strong><\/span> \u1edf l\u1ea1i \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng?<\/td>\n Has everyone gone home? Is anyone else still there? (Anyone else \/ Who else?)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n C\u00f2n nguy\u00ean<\/td>\n M\u1eb7c d\u00f9 \u0111\u00e3 chuy\u1ec3n nh\u00e0 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c 3 tu\u1ea7n, th\u00f9ng s\u00e1ch n\u00e0y v\u1eabn c\u00f2n nguy\u00ean<\/span><\/strong> ch\u01b0a m\u1edf.<\/td>\n Although we moved 3 weeks ago, this box of books is still intact and unopened. (Intact \/ Untouched)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Khi c\u00f2n nh\u1ecf<\/td>\n Khi c\u00f2n nh\u1ecf<\/strong><\/span>, t\u00f4i r\u1ea5t th\u00edch \u0103n k\u1eb9o.<\/td>\n When I was little, I really liked eating candy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Khi c\u00f2n l\u00e0…<\/td>\n Khi c\u00f2n l\u00e0<\/strong> <\/span>sinh vi\u00ean, anh \u1ea5y \u0111\u00e3 b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u kinh doanh.<\/td>\n When he was still a student, he had already started his business.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n C\u00f2n \u0111ang<\/td>\n M\u1eb9 t\u00f4i g\u1ecdi nh\u01b0ng t\u00f4i c\u00f2n \u0111ang<\/strong><\/span> h\u1ecdp n\u00ean kh\u00f4ng nghe \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c.<\/td>\n My mom called, but I was still in a meeting so I couldn’t answer. (Still currently doing)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n C\u00f2n…th\u00ec…<\/td>\n Ch\u1ecb \u1ea5y th\u00edch m\u00f9a \u0111\u00f4ng, c\u00f2n<\/strong><\/span> t\u00f4i th\u00ec<\/strong> <\/span>th\u00edch m\u00f9a h\u00e8.<\/td>\n She likes winter, as for me, I like summer. (While… \/ As for…)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n C\u00f2n n\u1eefa<\/td>\n M\u00f3n n\u00e0y c\u00f3 v\u1ecb ng\u1ecdt, h\u01a1i chua, c\u00f2n n\u1eefa<\/strong><\/span>, c\u00f3 m\u00f9i th\u01a1m c\u1ee7a vani.<\/td>\n This dish is sweet and a bit sour, furthermore, it has the aroma of vanilla. (Furthermore \/ What’s more)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n C\u00f2n th\u00eam..(n\u1eefa)<\/td>\n T\u00f4i c\u1ea7n 2 c\u00e1i gh\u1ebf, c\u00f2n th\u00eam<\/span> <\/strong>m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i b\u00e0n n\u1eefa<\/strong><\/span>.<\/td>\n I need 2 chairs, plus an additional table. (Additionally \/ Plus)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n C\u00f2n l\u1ea1i<\/td>\n Sau khi thanh to\u00e1n h\u00f3a \u0111\u01a1n, t\u00f4i ch\u1ec9 c\u00f2n l\u1ea1i<\/span> <\/strong>50 ng\u00e0n \u0111\u1ed3ng.<\/td>\n After paying the bill, I only have 50 thousand VND left. (Remaining \/ Leftover)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n C\u00f2n t\u00f9y<\/td>\n A: Mai \u0111i ch\u01a1i kh\u00f4ng?
\nB: C\u00f2n t\u00f9y<\/strong><\/span> th\u1eddi ti\u1ebft n\u1eefa.<\/td>\n(Are we going out tomorrow? – It depends on the weather.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n C\u00f2n l\u00e2u<\/td>\n A: Em l\u00e0m xong ch\u01b0a?
\nB: C\u00f2n l\u00e2u<\/strong><\/span> m\u1edbi xong!<\/td>\n(Are you done? – Far from it! \/ Not anytime soon!)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n