Meaning
Warning about a risky situation.
Cultural Background
In Vietnam, traffic is a 'controlled chaos'. 'Nguy hiểm quá' is frequently used by pedestrians and fellow drivers as a form of social signaling to maintain safety in the absence of strict lane discipline. Grandparents often use this phrase as a 'verbal hug' to protect grandchildren, showing their care through constant safety reminders. Sometimes, 'Nguy hiểm quá' is used when someone does something that is considered 'spiritually' risky, like whistling at night or going to certain 'haunted' places. In manual labor jobs in Vietnam, safety culture is often communicated orally. 'Nguy hiểm quá' serves as an informal but effective safety warning among peers.
The 'Quá' Rule
Always put 'quá' at the end for exclamations. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than putting 'rất' at the beginning.
Tone Matters
If you don't use the high-rising tone on 'quá', it might sound like a different word. Make it sharp and clear!
Meaning
Warning about a risky situation.
The 'Quá' Rule
Always put 'quá' at the end for exclamations. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than putting 'rất' at the beginning.
Tone Matters
If you don't use the high-rising tone on 'quá', it might sound like a different word. Make it sharp and clear!
Facial Expressions
Vietnamese is an expressive language. When saying 'Nguy hiểm quá', widen your eyes slightly to convey the genuine sense of alarm.
Test Yourself
Which is the most natural way to shout 'So dangerous!' in Vietnamese?
Bạn thấy một người đi xe máy rất nhanh. Bạn nói gì?
'Nguy hiểm quá' is the standard, natural exclamation for this situation.
Fill in the missing word to complete the exclamation.
Con dao này sắc ______, cẩn thận nhé!
'Quá' is the best fit for an emotional warning about a sharp knife.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: A child is playing near a deep pool.
'Nguy hiểm quá' is used for safety warnings.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tôi định đi bộ qua đường cao tốc. B: Đừng! ___________
Walking across a highway is dangerous, so 'Nguy hiểm quá' is the appropriate response.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say 'Nguy hiểm quá!'
Traffic
- • No helmet
- • Speeding
- • Wrong way
Home
- • Hot stove
- • Sharp knife
- • Wet floor
Nature
- • Deep water
- • Wild animal
- • Storm
Practice Bank
4 exercisesBạn thấy một người đi xe máy rất nhanh. Bạn nói gì?
'Nguy hiểm quá' is the standard, natural exclamation for this situation.
Con dao này sắc ______, cẩn thận nhé!
'Quá' is the best fit for an emotional warning about a sharp knife.
Situation: A child is playing near a deep pool.
'Nguy hiểm quá' is used for safety warnings.
A: Tôi định đi bộ qua đường cao tốc. B: Đừng! ___________
Walking across a highway is dangerous, so 'Nguy hiểm quá' is the appropriate response.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, but it sounds like a clinical observation. Adding 'quá' makes it a natural reaction to something you are seeing.
Yes, 'Người đó nguy hiểm quá' means 'That person is very dangerous'. Use it if you think someone is a threat.
'Quá' is more of an exclamation (So dangerous!), while 'lắm' is more of a statement (Very dangerous).
It is neutral. It's not rude to warn someone of danger, regardless of their status.
Not really. For spicy food, use 'Cay quá!' (So spicy!). Using 'Nguy hiểm' would sound like the food is literally poisonous.
Related Phrases
Cẩn thận
similarBe careful
Ghê quá
similarSo scary / So gross
Đáng sợ
similarFrightening
An toàn
contrastSafe
