không
[xəwŋ͡m˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for the number zero is không.
không is the cardinal number used to denote nothing, representing the value before one. It can also function as a particle to negate adjectives or verbs, meaning 'not'.
Meaning: cardinal number before 1, denoting nothing (num)
Which one should you use?
While không is the standard way to express the number zero, it is also used grammatically to mean 'no' or 'not'. For specific contexts like a point of origin on a scale, you might use số không or the loanword zêrô. In mathematics, when referring to the value of a function's independent variables being zero, the term nghiệm is used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word không serves a dual purpose: it acts as the numeral zero and as a negation particle used to negate verbs or adjectives.
Did you know?
- không shares a linguistic root with the word for 'zero' in Korean, which is 공 'gong'.
- The shift from using the native word chẳng as a primary negator to using không was heavily influenced by the arrival of French colonial rule in the 20th century.
Examples in context
- "Không" là số đứng đằng trước "một".Zero is what comes before one.This sentence demonstrates the position of không as the number occurring before one.Tatoeba #5767711 by yippe, translation #924145 by Scott
- Tôi không có tiền.I have no money.
- Kết quả là không.The result is zero.
- Nhiệt độ là không độ.The temperature is zero degrees.
Example conversation
Nam and Lan are checking the score of a game.
- NamĐiểm của đội mình là không.Our team's score is zero.
- LanThật là tệ quá.That is really bad.
- NamĐừng buồn, Lan.Don't be sad, Lan.
- LanMình sẽ cố gắng hơn.I will try harder.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zero” 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.
