Definition

1. Negative Imperative Particle:
   • Do not, Don't: "đừng" is a negative imperative particle used to form prohibitions, warnings, or strong advice against an action. It directly precedes the main verb it modifies.
   • Should not: It can also convey a sense of strong recommendation against doing something.

Usage Examples

• Negative Imperative Particle:
  • Đừng sợ. (Don't be afraid.)
  • Đừng đi ra ngoài lúc này. (Don't go outside right now.)
  • Đừng quên làm bài tập. (Don't forget to do your homework.)
  • Anh đừng nói như vậy. (You shouldn't talk like that.)

Advanced Usage

• "đừng có": A more emphatic or colloquial form of "đừng," often expressing stronger prohibition or annoyance.
  • Đừng có làm ồn nữa! (Stop making noise!/Don't you dare make any more noise!)
• "đừng... nữa": Used to tell someone to stop an ongoing action (don't... anymore).
  • Đừng khóc nữa. (Don't cry anymore.)
• "đừng... vào": Used to warn someone not to get involved in something.
  • Đừng can thiệp vào chuyện của người khác. (Don't interfere in other people's business.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chớ (Negative Imperative Particle): A more literary or formal synonym for "đừng," often found in proverbs, poetry, or older texts.
  • Chớ nên tham lam. (One should not be greedy.)
• Không được (Verb Phrase): Means "must not" or "are not allowed to," indicating a rule or lack of permission. It is stronger and more objective than "đừng," which is more subjective advice or request.
  • Ở đây không được hút thuốc. (Smoking is not allowed here.)
• Nên đừng (Advisory Phrase): A less common, more contemplative structure meaning "should probably not."
  • Cậu nên đừng đi tối nay. (You probably shouldn't go tonight.)

Synonyms

• Chớ: Do not (formal/literary).
• Không nên: Should not (less direct, more advisory).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: As "đừng" is a particle, it does not form phrasal verbs. The combinations above ("đừng có", "đừng... nữa") are fixed imperative patterns.)

Related Idioms

• Đừng đánh trống bỏ dùi: Literally "Don't beat the drum and then throw away the drumsticks." Figuratively means don't start something and then abandon it halfway; see it through.
  • Công việc này quan trọng, cậu đừng đánh trống bỏ dùi đấy. (This work is important, don't you start it and then quit.)
• Đừng có trông mặt mà bắt hình dong: Literally "Don't judge a person's character based on their face." Similar to "Don't judge a book by its cover."
  • Đừng có trông mặt mà bắt hình dong, anh ta tốt lắm đấy. (Don't judge a book by its cover, he's very kind.)

verb

1. do not
   • đừng sợ
     Don't be afraid