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. |
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| 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 rồi | I have eaten lunch already. |
| Anh ấy hoàn thành bài tập về nhà rồi | He has finished his homework already. |
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| Họ đến rồi | They have arrived. |
| Cô ấy gọi cho tôi rồi | She has called me already. |
| Tôi đọc cuốn sách đó rồi | I have read that book already. |
| Chúng tôi quyết định rồi | We 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 |
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| 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 |
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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).
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