Yes/ No questions (cu hi tng qut) * Similarities

English A: Are you a student? B: Yes, I am. A: Does he live in Ha Noi? B: No, he doesnt. A: Is Peter a doctor? B: I dont know who is. Vietnamese A: Cu l sinh vin phi khng? B: Vng, em l sinh vin. A: ng y sng Ha Noi ? B: Khng phi. A: Hm nay cu khe cha? B: T u c bnh u m khe hay cha.

Both questions require the answers Yes or No. Can be answered by denying if the questions are unreasonable.

* Differences - The structure of these questions in English and Vietnamese is different. As it is mentioned above, the order of words in Yes/No questions is the same as the one in Statements (subject + object). Combining with other exlaimation words such as , khng, th, ch, .... There is no rising tones at the end of questions in Vietnamese. In English, the order of Yes/No question is convertable form, by placing the operators, to be, or the modal verbs before the subjects and giving the sentence a rising intonation . For example:
English Did he kill himself? Is she successful in her life? Vietnamese ng y t t ? C y c thnh cng trong cuc sng khng?

- Yes/ No questions in English in the negative form, the speakers think the answer is no. In Vietnamese, Yes/ No questions are often ecpected answers which are suitable. For instance:
English A: Isnt it nice today? B: Yes, it is. A: Dont you know her name? B: Yes, I do. A: Can you speak English ? B: No, I cant. Vietnamese Hm nay con c i lm khng? Vng, con c i lm. Con khng t lm bi c ? Khng, con khng t lm c. Con khng ni ting Anh ? D, con khng ni c.

Declarative questions (Cu hi dng ng iu/ cu hi dng tng thut) Declarative questions in both landguages is in a form to a statement, except for the final rising question intonation. This question is used to check the infomation or express surprises. Example:
A: I want to build a new house. Ti mun xy nh mi. B: You want to build a new house? Cu mun xy nh mi ?

5. Tag questions (Cu hi ly li) This is a special question in English. In Vietnamese, people do not use tag questions because of its final rising tone.
- He is good at English, isnt he? - You dont like cats, do you?