Definition

1. Demonstrative Pronoun / Determiner:
   • This much / this many: Used to indicate a specific, often considerable, quantity or degree that is present, visible, or has just been mentioned. It points to an amount that is understood in the immediate context.

Usage Examples

• As a Determiner (with a noun):

  • Tôi chưa bao giờ thấy ngần này tiền. (I have never seen this much money.)
  • Sao lại cần ngần này người? (Why do we need this many people?)

• As a Pronoun (replacing a noun):

  • Ngần này là đủ rồi. (This much is enough.)
  • Anh ấy đã mua ngần này. (He bought this many.)

Advanced Usage

• Comparative Structures: Often used in comparisons to express equivalence or multiples of the stated amount.
  • Công ty cần gấp đôi ngần này nhân viên. (The company needs twice this many employees.)
  • Tôi muốn nhiều như ngần này. (I want as much as this much.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bao nhiêu: An interrogative word meaning "how much" or "how many." It forms a question-answer pair with ngần này.

  • Bao nhiêu là đủ? - Ngần này là đủ. (How much is enough? - This much is enough.)

• Nhiều như thế / nhiều như vậy: A more formal or descriptive phrase meaning "so much" or "so many," often interchangeable with ngần này but less demonstrative.

Synonyms

• This much / this many: The direct synonyms indicating a demonstrated quantity.
• So much / so many: Can be similar but often carries a more emphatic or surprising tone.
• Such a quantity / such an amount: A more formal equivalent.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Ngần này thôi: An expression meaning "just this much" or "only this much," often used to set a limit or express modesty.

  • Tôi chỉ cần ngần này thôi. (I only need just this much.)

• Ngần ấy: A closely related variant with essentially the same meaning (ngần này). The choice between này (this) and ấy (that) depends on the perceived proximity of the referenced quantity.