Definition

1. Conjunction:
   • To such an extent that, to such a degree that: Used to introduce a result clause, indicating that the preceding action or state has reached a level that causes the following situation. It emphasizes a high degree or extreme consequence.
   • Too, at all (in negative constructions): Used in negative sentences to mean "not too..." or "not... at all," softening the negation or indicating something is not as bad as might be expected.

Usage Examples

• Conjunction (indicating result/extent):

  • Anh ấy mệt đến nỗi ngủ quên trên bàn làm việc. (He was tired to such an extent that he fell asleep at his desk.)
  • Cô ấy vui đến nỗi nhảy cẫng lên. (She was happy to such a degree that she jumped for joy.)
  • Bận đến nỗi không còn thì giờ tập thể dục. (To be busy to such an extent that there is no time left for exercises.)

• Conjunction (in negative constructions):

  • Cô ta không đến nỗi xấu. (She is not too bad-looking.)
  • Món ăn này không đến nỗi tệ. (This dish is not too bad at all.)
  • Việc đó không đến nỗi khó như anh nghĩ. (That task is not as difficult as you think / not difficult at all.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đến nỗi" vs. "Đến đỗi": These two forms are completely interchangeable in modern Vietnamese. "Đến đỗi" is a variant with the same meaning and usage.

  • Tôi ngạc nhiên đến nỗi/đến đỗi không thốt nên lời. (I was surprised to such an extent that I was speechless.)

• Position in a Sentence: "Đến nỗi" always connects two clauses. The first clause states the cause or condition, and the second clause (after "đến nỗi") states the extreme result.

  • Structure: [Cause/State] + **đến nỗi** + [Extreme Result].

Variants and Related Words

• Đến đỗi: A direct variant with identical meaning and usage.
• Đến mức: Similar meaning ("to the point that"), but can be slightly more formal and is often used with measurable degrees.
  • Nóng đến mức 40 độ C. (Hot to the point of 40°C.)
• Quá... đến nỗi...: A reinforced structure meaning "so... that...". The adjective/adverb is placed between "quá" and "đến nỗi".
  • Cô ấy quá bận rộn đến nỗi quên cả ăn. (She is so busy that she even forgets to eat.)

Synonyms

• Khiến cho: So that, causing that (more direct cause-and-effect, less emphasis on extreme degree).
• Làm cho: To make it so that (focuses on the causing action).
• Tới mức: To the extent that (similar, but can be more neutral).

Related Phrases

• Không đến nỗi nào: An idiomatic phrase meaning "not bad at all" or "tolerable."
  • Bài kiểm tra không đến nỗi nào. (The test was not bad at all.)
• Đến nỗi phải...: To such an extent that one has to... (emphasizes a compelled action as a result).
  • Đói đến nỗi phải ăn mì gói. (Hungry to such an extent that I had to eat instant noodles.)

Related Idioms

• Không đến nỗi chết đói: Literally "not to the extent of starving to death," meaning the situation is manageable or not desperate.
  • Cứ bình tĩnh, không đến nỗi chết đói đâu. (Stay calm, it's not a matter of life and death / things aren't that desperate.)

1. cũng như đến đỗi
2. To such an axtent that, to such a degree that
   • Bận đến nỗi không còn thì giờ tập thể dục
     To be busy to such an extent that there is no time left for exercises
3. Too, at all
   • Cô ta không đến nỗi xấu
     She is not too bad-looking