Definition

1. Preposition / Conjunction:

   • Like, as: Used to indicate similarity, comparison, or manner. It shows that one thing is similar to another in quality, state, or action.
   • Such as: Used to introduce an example or a list of examples.
   • As if / As though: Used to describe a manner that suggests something is true or is happening, often when it is not.

2. Conjunction (for introducing a clause):

   • As: Used to refer to a known fact, situation, or previously stated information that serves as a basis or explanation.

Usage Examples

• Like / As (similarity):

  • Cô ấy hát hay như ca sĩ. (She sings beautifully like a singer.)
  • Hãy làm như tôi. (Do as I do.)
  • Tôi nghĩ như anh. (I think like you.)

• Such as (giving examples):

  • Tôi thích các môn thể thao, như bóng đá và bơi lội. (I like sports, such as football and swimming.)

• As if / As though (manner):

  • Anh ấy nói như thể anh ấy biết mọi thứ. (He talks as if he knows everything.)
  • Cô ấy im lặng như không nghe thấy gì. (She stayed silent as though she heard nothing.)

• As (introducing a known fact):

  • Như chúng ta đã biết, Trái Đất quay quanh Mặt Trời. (As we know, the Earth revolves around the Sun.)
  • Như tôi đã nói, kế hoạch này rất quan trọng. (As I said, this plan is very important.)

Advanced Usage

• In Similes: Often used in fixed comparative phrases to emphasize a high degree of a quality.

  • trắng như tuyết (white as snow)
  • nhanh như chớp (fast as lightning)
  • giống nhau như đúc (alike as two peas in a pod)

• In Conditional-like Phrases: Can be used in formal or literary contexts to mean "in the event that" or "if".

  • Như ông đồng ý, chúng ta sẽ ký hợp đồng ngay. (Should you agree, we will sign the contract immediately.)

Variants and Related Words

• Như là: A more emphatic or formal variant of "như", meaning "as if", "as though", or simply "as".

  • Anh ấy cư xử như là ông chủ vậy. (He acts as if he is the boss.)

• Như nhau: An adjectival phrase meaning "the same", "alike", or "identical".

  • Hai chiếc túi này trông giống nhau như nhau. (These two bags look exactly the same.)

Synonyms

• Like: having a similar appearance or character.
• As: used in comparisons to refer to the extent or degree of something.
• Such as: for example.
• As if: suggesting something is true.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Như không: Literally "as if nothing", meaning effortlessly, easily, or as if it were of no consequence.

  • Cô ấy giải bài toán khó đó như không. (She solved that difficult math problem as if it were nothing.)

• Như thường lệ: As usual, as is customary.

  • Như thường lệ, ông ấy đến đúng giờ. (As usual, he arrived on time.)

• Giống như: A compound preposition meaning "similar to", "like". (Note: This is listed here as a related phrase, not as a definition of the headword "như").

  • Tính cách cô ấy giống như mẹ cô ấy. (Her personality is similar to her mother's.)

1. as
   • làm như tôi
     Do as I do
2. like
   • tôi cũng nghĩ như anh
     I think like you
3. alike; similar tọ
   • trường hợp anh giống như trường hợp tôi
     Your case is similar to mine