Vietnamese phrase guide
How to say not yet in Vietnamese: chưa
Learn how to say not yet in Vietnamese: chưa, chưa xong, chưa hiểu, and chưa được, with examples for work, study, food, and daily conversation.
Quick answer
In one sentence
To say not yet in Vietnamese, use chưa. Put chưa before the verb or adjective: Tôi chưa hiểu means I do not understand yet, chưa xong means not finished yet, and chưa được means not possible yet or not okay yet.
- Easy pronunciation: chuh
- Best use: Use chưa when something has not happened yet, is not finished yet, or is not understood yet. It is especially useful at work, in class, and in daily repair phrases.
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Chưa
not yet
Literal meaning: not yet / have not
Easy pronunciation: chuh
Use chưa when something has not happened yet, is not finished yet, or is not understood yet. It is especially useful at work, in class, and in daily repair phrases.
Pronunciation breakdown
Vietnamese spelling
Chưa → chờ ưa chưa
Useful variants
Chưa
Not yet
Short answer to a yes/no question.
Tôi chưa hiểu
I do not understand yet
Softer than tôi không hiểu because it suggests you may understand after help.
Chưa xong
Not finished yet
Useful for work, tasks, reports, and homework.
Tôi chưa sẵn sàng
I am not ready yet
Use this before a meeting, test, call, or conversation.
Chưa được
Not yet / not okay yet
Use when something is not possible, approved, ready, or okay yet.
Bạn ăn cơm chưa?
Have you eaten yet?
Chưa also appears in already/yet questions.
Example sentences
Tôi chưa hiểu phần này.
I do not understand this part yet.
Báo cáo chưa xong.
The report is not finished yet.
Tôi chưa sẵn sàng cho cuộc họp.
I am not ready for the meeting yet.
Hôm nay chưa được.
Today is not possible yet / not okay yet.
Bạn uống cà phê chưa?
Have you had coffee yet?
Common mistakes
- Do not translate not yet as không yet. Use chưa.
- Không is a plain no/not; chưa means not yet or have not happened yet.
- Chưa can be a short answer by itself, but full sentences are clearer for beginners.
- Chưa được can mean not possible yet, not allowed yet, or not good enough yet depending on context.
FAQ
How do you say not yet in Vietnamese?
Say chưa. For example, chưa xong means not finished yet and tôi chưa hiểu means I do not understand yet.
What is the difference between không and chưa?
Không means no or not in general. Chưa means not yet or have not done something yet, so it is better when the situation may change later.
How do you say I do not understand yet in Vietnamese?
Say tôi chưa hiểu. It is softer than tôi không hiểu because it implies you may understand after repetition or explanation.
How do you say not finished yet in Vietnamese?
Say chưa xong. For a full workplace sentence, say báo cáo chưa xong for the report is not finished yet.
Can chưa mean yet in Vietnamese questions?
Yes. In questions, chưa can mean yet or already/yet. Bạn ăn cơm chưa? means have you eaten yet?
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