Learn Hardcore Vietnamese: Bạn có đi chợ không?

In Vietnamese có often signals a "yes/no" question when paired with không at the end of the sentence. The structure (Subject) + có + (Verb) + không? is a very common way to form a "Do you…?" question.

What does không mean in this sentence?

When used at the end of a sentence, không functions like a question marker to turn the statement into a yes/no question. It can literally be understood as "no?" or "not?" at the end of the sentence, but it’s best just to remember that it helps to form a yes/no query.

Can I omit bạn in daily conversation?

Yes, in casual or more relaxed contexts, native speakers might just say “Có đi chợ không?” or use a different pronoun depending on who they’re talking to. However, if you need to be polite or you’re not sure about the right pronoun to use, starting with bạn is usually safe and appropriate.

How do I answer this question in Vietnamese?

A short “Có” (Yes) or “Không” (No) answers it directly. You can make it more complete by saying “Có, mình có đi chợ” (Yes, I do go to the market) or “Không, mình không đi chợ” (No, I don’t go to the market).

Is there a difference in pronunciation between chợ and the English word "cho"?

Yes, the Vietnamese ch sound is slightly more aspirated and the ơ in chợ is a mid-central vowel in Vietnamese. It’s important to give proper attention to the diacritical mark (the dotted ̣ under ơ in “ợ”), which helps form a falling tone. So chợ has a falling tone and sounds different from any typical English vowel.