Learning comparative adjectives is an essential part of mastering any language. In Vietnamese, comparative adjectives are used to compare two or more things, just as they are in English. However, the structure and rules for forming these comparisons are different. In this article, we will explore the rules and provide examples to help you understand how to use comparative adjectives in Vietnamese effectively.
Basic Structure of Comparative Adjectives in Vietnamese
In English, we often add “-er” to the end of an adjective or use “more” before the adjective to form the comparative. For example, “taller” or “more beautiful.” In Vietnamese, the structure is different but relatively straightforward once you understand the rules.
The Basic Formula:
– To express “more than” (e.g., taller than, more beautiful than), the structure is:
[Subject] + [Adjective] + hơn + [Object]
– To express “less than” (e.g., less tall than, less beautiful than), the structure is:
[Subject] + kém + [Adjective] + hơn + [Object]
– To express “as…as” (e.g., as tall as, as beautiful as), the structure is:
[Subject] + [Adjective] + bằng + [Object]
Now, let’s delve deeper into each type.
Comparing Using “More Than”
In Vietnamese, when you want to say that something is “more” of an adjective than something else, you use “hơn” (more).
Example 1:
– English: She is taller than him.
– Vietnamese: Cô ấy cao hơn anh ấy.
Explanation:
– Cô ấy (She) is the subject.
– cao (tall) is the adjective.
– hơn (more) is the comparative marker.
– anh ấy (him) is the object.
Example 2:
– English: This book is more interesting than that book.
– Vietnamese: Cuốn sách này thú vị hơn cuốn sách kia.
Explanation:
– Cuốn sách này (This book) is the subject.
– thú vị (interesting) is the adjective.
– hơn (more) is the comparative marker.
– cuốn sách kia (that book) is the object.
Comparing Using “Less Than”
To express that something is “less” of an adjective than something else, you use “kém…hơn.”
Example 1:
– English: This car is less expensive than that car.
– Vietnamese: Xe này kém đắt hơn xe kia.
Explanation:
– Xe này (This car) is the subject.
– kém đắt (less expensive) is the comparative phrase.
– hơn (than) is the comparative marker.
– xe kia (that car) is the object.
Example 2:
– English: He is less diligent than his brother.
– Vietnamese: Anh ấy kém chăm chỉ hơn anh trai của anh ấy.
Explanation:
– Anh ấy (He) is the subject.
– kém chăm chỉ (less diligent) is the comparative phrase.
– hơn (than) is the comparative marker.
– anh trai của anh ấy (his brother) is the object.
Comparing Using “As…As”
To express that something is “as” of an adjective “as” something else, you use “bằng.”
Example 1:
– English: She is as intelligent as her friend.
– Vietnamese: Cô ấy thông minh bằng bạn của cô ấy.
Explanation:
– Cô ấy (She) is the subject.
– thông minh (intelligent) is the adjective.
– bằng (as) is the comparative marker.
– bạn của cô ấy (her friend) is the object.
Example 2:
– English: This house is as big as that house.
– Vietnamese: Ngôi nhà này lớn bằng ngôi nhà kia.
Explanation:
– Ngôi nhà này (This house) is the subject.
– lớn (big) is the adjective.
– bằng (as) is the comparative marker.
– ngôi nhà kia (that house) is the object.
Special Cases and Irregular Comparatives
While most adjectives follow the general rules, there are a few special cases and irregular comparatives in Vietnamese that you should be aware of.
1. Adjectives with Multiple Syllables
– For adjectives with multiple syllables, the structure remains the same, but the emphasis might differ slightly.
Example:
– English: The movie is more exciting than the book.
– Vietnamese: Bộ phim thú vị hơn cuốn sách.
2. Adjectives with Irregular Forms
– Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms. These are less common but important to recognize.
Example:
– English: He is better at math than his sister.
– Vietnamese: Anh ấy giỏi toán hơn chị gái của anh ấy.
In this case, “giỏi” (good at) is used in a comparative sense to mean “better at.”
Common Mistakes and Tips for Mastery
Learning a new language can be challenging, and making mistakes is part of the process. Here are some common mistakes learners make when using comparative adjectives in Vietnamese and tips on how to avoid them.
1. Mixing Up “hơn” and “bằng”
– Mistake: Using “hơn” when you mean “as…as” (bằng).
– Tip: Remember that “hơn” is used for “more than” and “bằng” is used for “as…as.” Practice with simple sentences to get comfortable with the difference.
2. Forgetting the Adjective
– Mistake: Omitting the adjective when forming a comparison.
– Tip: Always include the adjective between the subject and the comparative marker. For example, “Cô ấy cao hơn anh ấy” (She is taller than him), not “Cô ấy hơn anh ấy.”
3. Confusing Word Order
– Mistake: Placing the comparative marker in the wrong position.
– Tip: Follow the basic structure: [Subject] + [Adjective] + hơn/kém/bằng + [Object]. Consistent practice will help solidify the correct word order.
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding, here are some practice exercises. Try translating these sentences from English to Vietnamese and vice versa.
Exercise 1: Translate to Vietnamese
1. The cat is smaller than the dog.
2. This problem is more difficult than that one.
3. He is as strong as his father.
4. The soup is less salty than the broth.
5. She is more beautiful than her sister.
Exercise 2: Translate to English
1. Cái bàn này dài hơn cái bàn kia.
2. Anh ấy chăm chỉ bằng bạn của anh ấy.
3. Xe đạp này rẻ kém xe máy kia.
4. Trời hôm nay nóng hơn hôm qua.
5. Cô ấy nhanh hơn bạn cùng lớp của cô ấy.
By practicing these exercises, you will gain confidence in using comparative adjectives in Vietnamese. Remember, the key to mastering any language is consistent practice and exposure.
Conclusion
Understanding and using comparative adjectives is an important step in becoming proficient in Vietnamese. By following the rules and structures outlined in this article, you can confidently compare objects, people, and concepts in Vietnamese. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to common mistakes. With time and effort, you will find that using comparative adjectives in Vietnamese becomes second nature. Happy learning!
