Signification
Expressing dislike
Contexte culturel
People in the North often use more indirect language. Instead of saying 'I don't like it', they might say 'It's a bit unusual' or 'I'm not used to it'. Southerners are known for being more 'thẳng tính' (straightforward). 'Tôi không thích nó' is used more frequently and directly in Saigon. In a meeting, saying 'I don't like it' to a superior's idea is rare. One would use 'I have some concerns' or 'We should consider other options'. Younger Vietnamese often mix English or use slang like 'chê' (to criticize/reject) instead of the full sentence.
Softening the Blow
Add 'lắm' (very) at the end to make 'I don't like it' sound like 'I don't like it much', which is much more polite in Vietnamese culture.
The 'Nó' Danger
Never use 'nó' to refer to your boss or your parents. It's a one-way ticket to a very awkward situation.
Signification
Expressing dislike
Softening the Blow
Add 'lắm' (very) at the end to make 'I don't like it' sound like 'I don't like it much', which is much more polite in Vietnamese culture.
The 'Nó' Danger
Never use 'nó' to refer to your boss or your parents. It's a one-way ticket to a very awkward situation.
Drop the Object
If you are holding the object, you can just say 'Tôi không thích'. It sounds more natural and native-like.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I don't like it'.
Tôi ___ thích nó.
'Không' is the standard negator used before verbs in Vietnamese.
Which sentence is the most polite way to tell an elder you don't like something?
Choose the best option:
Using 'Con' and adding 'lắm ạ' makes the statement respectful for an elder.
Match the Vietnamese phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Correctly matching the intensity of the dislike.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Bạn có muốn ăn sầu riêng không? B: Không, _______.
B is declining the offer of durian.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesTôi ___ thích nó.
'Không' is the standard negator used before verbs in Vietnamese.
Choose the best option:
Using 'Con' and adding 'lắm ạ' makes the statement respectful for an elder.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Correctly matching the intensity of the dislike.
A: Bạn có muốn ăn sầu riêng không? B: Không, _______.
B is declining the offer of durian.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt's neutral. With friends or in shops, it's fine. With elders, it's too direct; use kinship terms instead.
Yes, 'nó' is perfectly fine for animals and inanimate objects.
'Không thích' is 'don't like', while 'ghét' is 'hate'. 'Ghét' is much stronger and emotional.
Add 'chút nào' at the end: 'Tôi không thích nó chút nào'.
This is a Southern Vietnamese informal pronunciation of 'không thích'. It sounds cuter and more casual.
Expressions liées
Tôi ghét nó
similarI hate it
Tôi không ưa nó
similarI don't find it pleasant
Tôi không quan tâm
relatedI don't care
Tôi thích nó
contrastI like it
Tôi không thích lắm
specialized formI don't like it much
