Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Intact, unchanged, exactly as before: Describes something that remains in its original, complete state without any alteration, damage, or loss. It emphasizes preservation of the initial condition.

2. Adverb:

   • Exactly the same, identically: Used to indicate that an action is performed so that something is kept or left completely unchanged, or that a state persists without modification.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Căn phòng vẫn còn y nguyên sau 20 năm. (The room remained unchanged after 20 years.)
  • Số tiền trong ví vẫn y nguyên. (The money in the wallet is still intact.)

• Adverb:

  • Hãy để mọi thứ y nguyên ở đây. (Leave everything exactly as it is here.)
  • Cô ấy giữ lại bức thư y nguyên. (She kept the letter completely unchanged.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to emphasize that not even a small detail has been altered. It often carries a nuance of careful preservation or surprising lack of change despite the passage of time or potential for disturbance.
  • Dù trải qua chiến tranh, ngôi đền cổ vẫn đứng sừng sững y nguyên. (Despite the war, the ancient temple still stands completely intact.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nguyên vẹn (adj): whole, intact, undamaged. Often interchangeable with "y nguyên," but "nguyên vẹn" can more strongly imply wholeness and lack of breakage.
  • Chiếc bình cổ được tìm thấy còn nguyên vẹn. (The ancient vase was found intact.)

Synonyms

• Intact: not damaged or impaired in any way.
• Unchanged: not altered or modified.
• As is: in the existing state without alteration.
• Identical: exactly alike; the same.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Để y nguyên: to leave (something) alone/as is.

  • Để y nguyên đống tài liệu đó, tôi sẽ xử lý sau. (Leave that pile of documents as is; I will handle it later.)

• Còn y nguyên như cũ: to remain exactly the same as before.

  • Quán cà phê nhỏ này còn y nguyên như cũ từ thời tôi còn trẻ. (This small coffee shop remains exactly the same as it was from my youth.)

adj

1. intact, unchanged