Southern Vietnamese
Vietnamese Yes-No Questions with Có Không
Có ... không is the safest beginner pattern for yes/no questions.
Learner problem
I do not know how to ask yes/no questions.
Pattern preview
Có + action/quality + không?: Có cay không?
Day 11 question focus
Yes/no questions
Vietnamese does not rely on English-style rising intonation. Use a clear question shape like có ... không or add không at the end.
Politeness tip
In Southern Vietnamese, dạ is a warm, respectful yes. Vâng is also yes, but can feel more formal or Northern.
Food check
Có cay không?
Is it spicy?
Có ... không asks whether something is true.
Understanding check
Bạn có hiểu không?
Do you understand?
Add không at the end to turn the idea into a yes/no question.
Quality check
Phòng có sạch không?
Is the room clean?
Có can also frame a quality like clean, spicy, or available.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 11 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: có, không, vâng, dạ, phải, đúng
Play each short word, say it once, then save the answers you want in your review deck.
Yes / have
Có
Yes / have / there is
Use có for a short yes or to say something exists.
No / not
Không
No / not
Use không for a short no and before verbs or qualities to negate.
Formal yes
Vâng
Yes, more formal or Northern
Valid standard yes; often feels more formal or Northern.
Polite yes
Dạ
Yes, respectfully / polite particle
Warm Southern polite answer; very useful with older people and service staff.
Right / correct
Phải
Right / correct / must
Use when confirming something is right or required.
Correct
Đúng
Correct / right
Use đúng to confirm that something is correct.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 11 speaking skill
Speaking skill: answer basic yes/no questions
Start with a short answer. In polite Southern speech, dạ can soften both yes and no.
Polite yes
Dạ có
Yes, politely
Use this when the answer is yes and you want to sound respectful.
Polite no
Dạ không
No, politely
Use this when the answer is no, especially with someone older or in service contexts.
Confirm
Đúng rồi
That's right
Use this when someone says or guesses something correctly.
Correct gently
Không đúng
Not correct
Use this when the statement is not correct.
Try answering
Có cay không?
Is it spicy?
Try answering
Có wifi không?
Is there Wi-Fi?
Try answering
Bạn khỏe không?
How are you?
Try answering
Bạn có hiểu không?
Do you understand?
Try answering
Phòng có sạch không?
Is the room clean?
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 11 grammar focus
Grammar note: S + V + không? / có ... không?
Keep the sentence short. Use không before a verb or quality to make a negative statement, or place không at the end to ask.
Statement
S + V/Adj
Bạn hiểu.
A plain sentence says the idea directly.
Negative statement
S + không + V/Adj
Bạn không hiểu.
Không goes before the action or quality.
Yes/no question
S + V/Adj + không?
Bạn hiểu không?
For many beginner questions, không sits at the end.
Có ... không?
S + có + V/N/Adj + không?
Bạn có hiểu không?
Có frames availability, possession, action, or quality.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 11 local exercise
Exercise: 20 yes/no question game
Answer quickly with a short Vietnamese chunk. This is a local practice game, not an AI conversation or saved score.
Local yes/no game
Play each question, read the situation, then choose a short Vietnamese answer. Nothing is uploaded or saved.
0/20 prompts answered
Question 1
Có cay không?
The dish is spicy.
Question 2
Có cay không?
The dish is not spicy.
Question 3
Có wifi không?
The cafe has Wi-Fi.
Question 4
Có wifi không?
There is no Wi-Fi here.
Question 5
Có size lớn không?
The shop has a large size.
Question 6
Có size lớn không?
The shop does not have a large size.
Question 7
Có cần đơn không?
You do need a prescription.
Question 8
Có cần đơn không?
You do not need a prescription.
Question 9
Anh có rảnh không?
The older man is free.
Question 10
Anh có rảnh không?
The older man is busy.
Question 11
Chị có đi không?
The older woman is going.
Question 12
Chị có đi không?
The older woman is not going.
Question 13
Ở đây có gửi xe không?
Parking is available here.
Question 14
Ở đây có gửi xe không?
There is no parking here.
Question 15
Món này có thịt không?
This dish has meat.
Question 16
Món này có thịt không?
This dish has no meat.
Question 17
Trả bằng thẻ được không?
Paying by card is okay.
Question 18
Bạn có hiểu không?
You understand.
Question 19
Bạn có hiểu không?
You do not understand.
Question 20
Ngày mai có mưa không?
It will not rain tomorrow.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
The short version
Có … không is the safest beginner pattern for yes/no questions.
Pattern box
Có + action/quality + không?: Có cay không?
English trap
Do not rely on English rising intonation alone. Vietnamese needs the question pattern.
Right vs wrong examples
| Instead of this | Say this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Copy the English structure word by word | Có cay không? | Use the Vietnamese pattern as a ready-made chunk. |
| Add extra grammar words because English needs them | Có wifi không? | Vietnamese often stays shorter than English. |
| Study the rule without a real situation | Có size lớn không? | Attach the rule to a cafe, taxi, hotel, market, or work sentence. |
Core examples
| Vietnamese | English | Practice note |
|---|---|---|
| Có cay không? | Is it spicy? | Có … không asks a yes/no question. |
| Có wifi không? | Is there Wi-Fi? | Useful in cafes and hotels. |
| Có size lớn không? | Do you have a large size? | Shopping question. |
| Có cần đơn không? | Do I need a prescription? | Pharmacy question. |
| Anh có rảnh không? | Are you free? to an older man | Put có before the quality or state. |
| Chị có đi không? | Are you going? to an older woman | Có can frame the action. |
| Ở đây có gửi xe không? | Is there parking here? | Location can come first. |
| Món này có thịt không? | Does this dish have meat? | Very practical food check. |
| Trả bằng thẻ được không? | Can I pay by card? | Được không asks if something is possible. |
| Bạn có hiểu không? | Do you understand? | Common learning question. |
| Phòng có sạch không? | Is the room clean? | Có can be used before an adjective. |
| Ngày mai có mưa không? | Will it rain tomorrow? | Time can come before có. |
How to use it in real sentences
Use the examples as sentence patterns, not isolated vocabulary. Say the whole line first, then replace one small part such as the person, time, object, or place.
Substitution drill
| Base sentence | Change this | New sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Có cay không? | change the person or topic | Có wifi không? |
| Có wifi không? | change the time, place, or object | Có size lớn không? |
| Có size lớn không? | say it as a real request or answer | Có cần đơn không? |
Real situation
Use this beginner foundation grammar when a real conversation forces you to speak quickly. Pick one sentence from the examples, imagine the situation, then change only one detail so the grammar becomes usable instead of abstract.
Southern Vietnamese note
Southern Vietnamese often prefers practical, context-rich examples. Learn the pattern through a line you might actually say.
Practice drill
- Read each Vietnamese sentence aloud.
- Replace one noun or time word.
- Listen to the slow audio, then say the new sentence twice.
- Cover the English and recall the Vietnamese from the situation.
- Save the examples you would actually use this week.
Common mistake
Do not rely on English rising intonation alone. Vietnamese needs the question pattern.
Next step
After this page, open the related practice or continue to the next grammar lesson: question-words.
Meaning check
Quick practice
Which option is the best way to practice vietnamese yes-no questions with có không?
FAQ
How should I practice vietnamese yes-no questions with có không?
Learn the core pattern, say at least three full examples aloud, then change one word so the sentence becomes useful in your own life.
Finish this grammar page
Ready to mark complete?
Mark complete only after you have listened, practiced, and saved at least one useful phrase. Then continue straight to the next task.
Week 2 · Day 11 in the 90-day path
Listen to at least 3 phrases
Use normal audio first, then slow audio.
Save at least 1 phrase
Only save phrases you would actually reuse.
Finish the quiz or practice task
Check that you can recall the idea, not only read it.
Mark this page complete
Completion is manual so you stay in control.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Practice panel
Make the pattern stick
Practice the examples, then mark this grammar page complete.