Focus Marker 'thì' — Southern Vietnamese Grammar

The particle is a versatile word used to structure sentences, emphasize specific information, or link ideas logically. It often functions similarly to the English phrase "as for..." or the word "then".

Topic-Comment Structure

In Vietnamese, you can move the object or topic to the beginning of the sentence to emphasize it. When you do this, acts as a marker to separate this topic from the rest of the sentence. This tells the listener: "Regarding this specific thing, here is my opinion."

Quyển sách này thì hay.
This book is interesting. (As for this book, it is interesting.)
Cà phê thì tôi uống mỗi ngày.
Coffee, I drink every day.
Việc đó thì tôi không biết.
That matter, I do not know.

Making Comparisons and Contrasts

When comparing two different subjects, is used after each subject to highlight the difference between them. It creates a balance in the sentence, similar to saying "A is like this, whereas B is like that."

Chị ấy thì cao, còn tôi thì thấp.
She is tall, but (as for me) I am short.
Phở thì nóng, kem thì lạnh.
Pho is hot, ice cream is cold.
Anh trai thì thích đá banh, em gái thì thích bơi.
The older brother likes soccer, the younger sister likes swimming.

Logical Sequences (If... Then)

In conditional sentences starting with (if), corresponds to "then". It introduces the result or consequence of the condition. While English often omits "then", Vietnamese speakers usually include for clarity.

Nếu trời mưa thì tôi ở nhà.
If it rains, then I stay home.
Nếu bạn đói thì đi ăn.
If you are hungry, then go eat.
Nếu đắt quá thì đừng mua.
If it is too expensive, then do not buy.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Southern Vietnamese course

6 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 16. A few of them, with the words “Focus Marker 'thì'” is about in bold:

Anh ấy cũng đang ngủ. Còn cô ấy thì không.
He is also sleeping. She isn't.
Lesson 16

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