Grammar

a/ “Thế” and “Vậy”

To indicate exclamation or complaints, we can use “… thế” or “… vậy“.”

They are often put at the end of a sentence:

• Bài này khó thế!       OR   Bài này khó vậy!
  (This exercise is so difficult!)
• Cậu học nhiều thế!  OR   Cậu học nhiều vậy!
  (You study so much/so hard!)

You can also combine the two words to form a stronger expression:

• Anh ấy giỏi thế vậy! = He is so good!
• Môn này khó thế vậy! = This subject is so difficult!

* Notes: You may also see “Thế” and “Vậy” at the beginning of a sentence. In these cases, they are used as lead-in words to continue, expand, or conclude the information.

• Thế hôm nay bạn học môn gì? = So, what subject do you have today?
• Vậy anh ấy là giáo viên! = So he is a teacher!
• Thế thì tôi phải cố gắng hơn! = So I must try harder!
• Vậy bạn giúp tôi nhé! = Then please help me!

b/ “Sao”

• “Sao” is added to the beginning of a sentence to form questions related to reasons.
• Just like “Why” in English, “Sao” can be used to express disbelief, often in more formal situations. In these cases, “vậy” and “thế” are also used:
  • Sao điểm thi của cậu thấp vậy? = Why is your grade so low?
  • Sao cậu đi học muộn thế? = Why did you go to school so late?

The simple way to form comparison structures is by using words that indicate comparatives and superlatives:

“Hơn” is used for comparatives and means “better than/more than/more”

“Nhất” is used for superlatives and means “the most/the best”

The position of these expressions varies:

• “Hơn” is put AFTER the first object of comparison:
  • Tôi thích học toán hơn. = I like Math more.
  • Tôi thích học toán hơn văn. = I like Math more than Literature.
• “Nhất” can be put BEFORE or AFTER the object of comparison.
  • Tôi sợ nhất môn Lý. = I am most afraid of Physics.
  • Tôi sợ môn Lý nhất. = I am afraid of Physics the most.
• “Hơn” and “Nhất” can be put AFTER an adjective or adverb.
  • Quyển sách này to hơn. = This book is bigger.
  • Cái bút này nhỏ nhất. = This pen is the smallest.
• “Hơn” is used as a quantifier as well, and will stand BEFORE the quantity:
  • Tôi có hơn 10 cuốn sách. = I have more than 10 books.
  • Hơn 100 người tới dự sinh nhật. = More than 100 people came to the birthday party.