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.<\/p>\n
This expression emphasizes a total affirmation meaning “there is no ~ that is not …,” in other words, “everything\/everyone is ….”<\/strong> It is used when you want to emphasize that there are absolutely no exceptions.<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 Kh\u00f4ng<\/strong><\/span> vi\u1ec7c n\u00e0o l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng<\/strong><\/span> kh\u00f3 kh\u0103n c\u1ea3. \u2461 Kh\u00f4ng<\/strong> <\/span>ng\u01b0\u1eddi Vi\u1ec7t Nam n\u00e0o l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng<\/strong> <\/span>bi\u1ebft \u0111\u1ebfn ph\u1edf. \u2462 Kh\u00f4ng<\/strong><\/span> ai l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng<\/strong><\/span> mu\u1ed1n h\u1ea1nh ph\u00fac. \u2463 Kh\u00f4ng<\/strong><\/span> c\u00f3 b\u1eefa ti\u1ec7c n\u00e0o m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng<\/span><\/strong> t\u00e0n. This expresses a strong obligation or emotion, meaning “cannot help but ~,” in other words, “cannot avoid doing ~”<\/strong> or “must definitely do ~.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 kh\u00f4ng<\/strong> <\/span>lo l\u1eafng cho anh \u1ea5y. \u2461 B\u1ea1n kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 kh\u00f4ng<\/strong><\/span> \u0103n th\u1eed m\u00f3n n\u00e0y khi \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u00e2y. \u2462 \u0110i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 kh\u00f4ng<\/span><\/strong> x\u1ea3y ra. This corresponds to “it’s not that ~ not ~”<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng<\/strong><\/span> th\u00edch, nh\u01b0ng gi\u00e1 h\u01a1i cao. \u2461 Kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng<\/span><\/strong> c\u00f3 c\u00e1ch, nh\u01b0ng r\u1ea5t kh\u00f3 th\u1ef1c hi\u1ec7n. \u2462 Anh \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng<\/strong><\/span> bi\u1ebft, ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n n\u00f3i th\u00f4i. This is a partial negation expression meaning “not necessarily ~”<\/strong> or “it doesn’t mean that ~.”<\/strong> It is useful when you want to avoid making a definitive statement and convey something objectively or modestly.<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 \u0110\u1eaft kh\u00f4ng h\u1eb3n l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> t\u1ed1t. \u2461 \u00dd t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng h\u1eb3n l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> nh\u01b0 v\u1eady. \u2462 Kh\u00f4ng h\u1eb3n l\u00e0<\/strong><\/span> c\u00f4 \u1ea5y gi\u1eadn, c\u00f3 l\u1ebd c\u00f4 \u1ea5y ch\u1ec9 \u0111ang m\u1ec7t. 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 ~”<\/strong> or “it’s impossible that ~.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 L\u00e0m g\u00ec c\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n<\/strong><\/span> anh \u1ea5y ngh\u1ec9 vi\u1ec7c m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng b\u00e1o tr\u01b0\u1edbc. \u2461 L\u00e0m g\u00ec c\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n<\/strong><\/span> d\u1ec5 d\u00e0ng nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf! \u2462 L\u00e0m g\u00ec c\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n<\/strong><\/span> t\u00f4i l\u1ea1i qu\u00ean sinh nh\u1eadt b\u1ea1n.
\n\u2192 There is no job that is not difficult. (Every job is tough.)<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 There is no Vietnamese person who doesn’t know Pho.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 There is no one who does not want to be happy.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 There is no party that does not come to an end. (All good things must come to an end.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u2461 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 kh\u00f4ng ~<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 I cannot help but worry about him.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 You cannot visit here without trying this dish (You absolutely must try it).<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 There is no way that won’t happen (It will definitely happen).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u2462 kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng ~<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 It’s not that I don’t like it, but the price is a bit high.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 It’s not that there is no way, but it is very difficult to execute.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 It’s not that he doesn’t know; he just doesn’t want to say it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u2463 kh\u00f4ng h\u1eb3n l\u00e0 ~<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 Expensive is not necessarily good.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 That’s not necessarily what I meant.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 It’s not necessarily that she is angry; maybe she is just tired.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u2464 l\u00e0m g\u00ec c\u00f3 chuy\u1ec7n ~<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 There’s no way he would quit his job without prior notice.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 There’s no way it’s that easy!<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 There’s no way I would forget your birthday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n