không
[xəwŋ͡m˧˧]
In Vietnamese, 'no' is expressed as không.
Không is the most common and straightforward way to express negation or disagreement in Vietnamese. It can function as a particle to negate a verb or adjective, or as a determiner meaning 'not any'. Additionally, the noun phrase lời không can be used to refer to a negating expression.
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Which one should you use?
While không is the standard way to negate an action or state, it differs from chẳng, which is a more colloquial or literary way to express 'not'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To negate a verb or an adjective, place không directly before the word, much like the English word 'not'. To add emphasis to a negation, such as when you mean 'not at all' or 'definitely not', you can pair không with đâu at the end of the clause.
Did you know?
- The word không is used for both the concept of 'no' and the number 'zero'.
- The word không is actually a borrowed Sino-Vietnamese word that originally meant 'empty' or 'vacant'.
- Because không comes from a word meaning 'empty', the Vietnamese language conceptually treats saying 'no' as a way of describing a void or nothingness.
Examples in context
- Tom không đội mũTom had no hat on.This sentence uses không to negate the possession of a hat.Tatoeba #6275249 by moriole, translation #3171376 by CK
- Không ai gọi cả.No one called.This sentence uses không to indicate that no one called.Tatoeba #13344322 by leucammieuvu, translation #9171758 by CK
- Không ai hét cả.No one shouted.This sentence uses không to indicate that no one shouted.Tatoeba #13634494 by leucammieuvu, translation #4397592 by CK
- 276 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Hương are talking about eating dinner at a restaurant.
- HùngHương muốn đi ăn tối không?Hương, do you want to go out for dinner?
- HươngEm không muốn ăn đồ cay.I don't want to eat spicy food.
- HùngVậy mình ăn món Ý nhé?Then let's eat Italian food, okay?
- HươngKhông, em muốn ăn cơm Việt Nam.No, I want to eat Vietnamese food.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries không, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries không, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
