In Vietnamese, we use hơn to form comparative adjectives and adverbs, like “-er” and “more” in English.
Basic structure
Structure
Place hơn after an adjective or adverb to turn it into the comparative form.
adj. / adv. + hơn
In a sentence, the comparative adjective (adverb) comes after the subject (verb), as is the case with adjectives (adverbs) in general. To compare two entities, place the second entity after hơn.
A + adj. + hơn (+ B)
A + verb + adv. + hơn (+ B)
Examples
With a psychological verb
A psychological verb is a verb that expresses a mental state, e.g., “to like”, “to hate”, and “to fear”.
Structure
To compare two entities as the objects of a psychological verb, place hơn after the first entity and the second entity after hơn.
psychological verb + A + hơn (+ B)
Examples
Comparing quantities
We use nhiều (“many/much”) or ít (“few/little”) with hơn to compare two quantities, like “more” or “fewer/less” in English.
Structure
Place a noun after nhiều (or ít) and hơn after the noun.
nhiều / ít + noun + hơn
Examples
Without an adjective
We can omit the adjective from the basic structure. In this case, the adjective is implied or ambiguous, while, grammatically, hơn on its own acts as an adjective.
Structure
A + hơn (+ B)
Examples
- Messi và Ronaldo, ai hơn ai?
Messi and Ronaldo, who is better?“good” is implied - So sánh tài sản của Messi và Ronaldo, ai hơn ai?
(Comparing) Messi and Ronaldo (‘s asset), who is richer?“rich” is implied
- A:Anh ta hơn tôi ở điểm nào?
In which area is he better than me?the adjective is ambiguous, “better” is the closest translation - B:Anh ta cao hơn.
He is taller.
An adjective with a negative connotation is possible given the right context.
- B:Anh ta đê tiện hơn.
He is more despicable.