Forming Questions with 'có ... không' — Vietnamese Grammar

To form standard "Yes/No" questions, use the construction ... . This structure acts like a frame around the main verb or adjective of the sentence. is placed before the verb or adjective, and is placed at the very end of the sentence.

The basic formula is: Subject + + [Verb / Adjective] + ?

Questions with Verbs

When used with action verbs, this structure asks if the subject performs the action. It is equivalent to the English "Do/Does...?" or "Are... -ing?".

Bạn có thích Việt Nam không?
Do you like Vietnam?
Anh ấy có làm việc hôm nay không?
Is he working today?
Chị có hiểu không?
Do you understand?

Questions with Adjectives

Since adjectives can function as predicates without a "to be" verb, you apply the same structure directly to the adjective. This asks if the subject possesses a certain quality ("Is it...?").

Món này có ngon không?
Is this dish delicious?
Bạn có mệt không?
Are you tired?
Tiếng Việt có khó không?
Is Vietnamese difficult?

Answering the Question

To answer these questions, you generally repeat the key word used in the question.

Yes: Say . You can also say followed by the verb/adjective for a complete sentence.
No: Say . You can also say followed by the verb/adjective.

Bạn có đói không?
Yes.
Cô ấy có buồn không?
No, she is happy.

Exception: The Verb 'to have'

The word itself means "to have". When the main verb of your sentence is "to have", you do not double the word. You do not say . Instead, use a single followed by the object, and end with .

Anh có tiền không?
Do you have money?
Bạn có ô tô không?
Do you have a car?

Informal Usage

In casual, spoken conversations, speakers often drop the initial and rely solely on the final and intonation to indicate a question. This is very common but less formal.

Bạn thích cà phê không?
Do you like coffee?
Vui không?
Is it fun?

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