Vietnamese Grammar Bank

NOT YET/ALREADY IN VIETNAMESE

In Vietnamese, expressing actions that have or have not been completed can be done using specific words like chưa (not yet) and rồi (already).

Let’s explore how to use them correctly!

CHƯA = NOT YET

The word chưa is used to express that something has not been done yet, or an action has not been completed. It is equivalent to “not yet” in English.

PATTERN

Subject + chưa + verb

For example: 

Tôi chưa ăn trưa.I haven’t eaten lunch yet.
Anh ấy chưa hoàn thành bài tập về nhà.He hasn’t finished his homework yet.
View More Examples
Họ chưa đến.They haven’t arrived yet.
Cô ấy chưa gọi cho tôi.She hasn’t called me yet.
Tôi chưa đọc cuốn sách đó.I haven’t read that book yet.
Chúng tôi chưa quyết định.We haven’t decided yet.

RỒI = ALREADY

The word rồi is used to indicate that something has already been done or completed. It corresponds to “already” in English and is used for actions that are finished.

PATTERN

Subject + verb + rồi

For example: 

Tôi ăn trưa rồiI have eaten lunch already.
Anh ấy hoàn thành bài tập về nhà rồiHe has finished his homework already.
View More Examples
Họ đến rồiThey have arrived.
Cô ấy gọi cho tôi rồiShe has called me already.
Tôi đọc cuốn sách đó rồiI have read that book already.
Chúng tôi quyết định rồiWe have decided already.

…CHƯA?

This pattern is used to express the question of “Have you done…yet?” 

PATTERN #1

Subject + (đã) + verb + chưa?

PATTERN #2

Yes: Rồi, subject + verb + rồi

PATTERN #3

Not yet: Chưa, subject + chưa + verb

For example: 

Bạn (đã) ăn trưa chưa? 
–Rồi, tôi ăn trưa rồi 
–Chưa, tôi chưa ăn		Have you had lunch?
-Yes, I’ve already eaten lunch 
-No, I’ve not eaten lunch yet
Anh ngủ chưa? 
–Rồi, anh ngủ rồi 
–Chưa, anh chưa ngủ		Have you slept?
-Yes, I slept 
-No, I’ve not slept yet 
View More Examples
Em đi làm chưa? 
–Rồi, em ở công ty rồi –Chưa, em chưa đi làm		Have you gone to work?-Yes, I am already at office -No, I’ve not gone yet
Ba dậy chưa?
–Rồi, ba súc miệng rồi 
–Chưa, ba chưa dậy		Have you woken up dad?
-Yes, I’ve brushed my teeth already 
-No, I’ve not woken up yet
Bạn tốt nghiệp chưa?
–Rồi, tôi tốt nghiệp năm ngoái rồi
–Chưa, tôi chưa tốt nghiệp		Have you graduated?
-Yes, I graduated last year 
-No, I’ve not graduated yet
Chị ấy nấu ăn chưa?
–Rồi, chị ấy nấu ăn rồi 
–Chưa, chị ấy chưa nấu ăn		Have you cooked yet?
-Yes, I’ve cooked already
-No, I’ve not cooked yet

Learn Vietnamese with FlexiClasses

Book online classes with the best teachers in the industry.

REGISTER

FAQs

What’s the difference between “chưa” and “rồi” in a sentence?

“Chưa” is used to indicate that something has not happened yet, while “rồi” confirms that something has already happened.

Can I use “chưa” without “rồi” in a sentence?

Yes, “chưa” can stand alone to express incompletion. For example: Tôi chưa ăn (I haven’t eaten yet).

How do I form a question using “chưa”?

Add “chưa” at the end of the sentence to ask if something has happened: Bạn ăn chưa? (Have you eaten yet?).

Can I use “chưa” in positive statements?

No, “chưa” is used in negative or interrogative contexts to indicate an action has not been done yet.

Is it necessary to use “rồi” in affirmative answers?

While not always required, “rồi” is commonly used in affirmative answers to clearly state that the action has already occurred: Tôi ăn rồi (I’ve already eaten).

Can I study in Vietnam with LTL?

Yes, you can!

You can study with us in Saigon or Hanoi, in both group or individual classes.

You’ll even have the opportunity to live with a Vietnamese family, thanks to our homestays.

MORE FREE LESSONS

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Learn More

What Are You Interested In?

This will customize the newsletter you receive.

.

Thank you for subscribing!

Please check your email to verify your subscription and stay updated with our latest news.