Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Still, yet: Indicates the continuation or unchanged state of an action, situation, or quality up to the present moment or a specific point in time being discussed.
   • Nevertheless, all the same: Used to affirm that something happens or remains true despite unusual conditions, obstacles, or contrary expectations.

Usage Examples

• To indicate continuation:

  • Tôi vẫn chờ. (I am still waiting.)
  • Tôi vẫn ở số nhà 16. (I still live at number 16.)
  • Cô ấy vẫn chờ anh ở văn phòng. (She is still waiting for you at the office.)

• To affirm something despite conditions:

  • Đắt thì đắt tôi vẫn mua. (Expensive or not, I will still buy it.)
  • Mẹ cô cấm cô nhưng cô vẫn yêu anh ta. (Her mother forbade her, but she still loves him.)
  • Điều đó dù bị nghi ngờ vẫn đúng. (That thing, although doubted, is still true.)

Advanced Usage

• "vẫn cứ": Emphasizes a stubborn or persistent continuation of an action, often despite advice or circumstances.

  • Đã bảo thôi, nó vẫn cứ làm. (I told him to stop, but he still kept doing it.)
  • Nó đi đã lâu tôi vẫn cứ nghĩ đến nó. (He left a long time ago, but I still keep thinking about him.)

• "vẫn còn": Means "still remains" or "there is still". It emphasizes the existence or presence of something that persists.

  • Vẫn còn một số vấn đề phải giải quyết. (There are still a number of problems to solve.)

• "vẫn hơn" / "vẫn không bằng": Used in comparative evaluations to affirm a judgment.

  • Có nhiều tiền vẫn hơn. (Having a lot of money is still better.)
  • Cô bé ấy cũng xinh nhưng vẫn không bằng cái Hiền. (That girl is pretty too, but she still isn't as pretty as Hiền.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vẫn vậy: Still the same, unchanged.

  • Mọi thứ vẫn vậy. (Everything is still the same.)

• Vẫn thế: Similar to "vẫn vậy", meaning unchanged, often used about habits or situations.

  • Anh ấy vẫn thế, chẳng thay đổi gì. (He's still like that, hasn't changed a bit.)

Synonyms

• Vẫn còn: Still (emphasizing remaining).
• Cứ: Keep on, persist in (often used with "vẫn" for emphasis: "vẫn cứ").
• Mãi: Forever, continually (can imply a longer, more perpetual continuation).

Related Phrases and Patterns

• Dù... vẫn...: Although/Even though... still...

  • Dù mệt, tôi vẫn đi làm. (Even though I'm tired, I still go to work.)

• ... nhưng vẫn...: ...but still...

  • Thất bại nhiều nhưng anh vẫn kiên trì thí nghiệm. (He failed many times, but he still persevered with the experiment.)

adv

1. still, yet