còn (still) vs còn (also) — Two Meanings of còn

Quick Answer

The Vietnamese word "còn" is highly versatile and can mean "still" or "also," depending on the specific context. As "still," it indicates continuation, a remaining quantity, or an ongoing state. As "also" or "and," it introduces an additional item, a contrasting point, or poses a question about another subject.

Comparison Table

Detailed Explanation

còn (still / remain / yet)

This meaning of "còn" signifies that something continues to exist, a state persists, or a quantity remains. It implies an ongoing situation or something that has not yet finished or been used up. You will often see it used:

• To express continuation of an action or state:

Anh ấy còn làm việc.He is still working.

• To indicate a remaining quantity or amount:

Chúng ta còn bao nhiêu tiền?How much money do we still have?

• To refer to something that is yet to happen:

Còn lâu lắm mới đến Tết.It's still a long time until Tết.

• To describe someone or something as "still" in a certain state (e.g., young, alive):

Ông bà tôi còn khỏe lắm.My grandparents are still very healthy.

còn (also / and / what about / in addition)

In this usage, "còn" functions more like a conjunction or a connector, introducing an additional idea, a contrasting point, or inquiring about another subject after an initial statement. It helps link different parts of a sentence or different sentences. You might use it:

• To introduce a contrasting idea or a different subject:

Tôi thích màu xanh, còn em gái tôi thích màu đỏ.I like blue, and my younger sister likes red.

• To ask "what about X?" or "how about X?":

Chúng tôi đi xe máy, còn bạn thì sao?We go by motorbike, what about you?

• To add an extra piece of information or another item in a list:

Món này vừa rẻ, còn ngon nữa.This dish is both cheap and also delicious.

• In more formal or literary contexts, to mean "besides" or "in addition to":

Ngoài ra, còn có nhiều hoạt động khác.Besides that, there are also many other activities.

Example Pairs

Common Patterns

còn (still)

• Subject + còn + Verb/Adjective: To express an ongoing action or state.

Anh ấy còn học tiếng Việt.He is still learning Vietnamese.

Trời còn mưa.It's still raining.

• Còn + Number/Quantity + Noun: To indicate remaining quantity or time.

Còn 2 quyển sách.There are still 2 books left.

Còn rất nhiều thời gian.There is still a lot of time.

• Subject + còn + [phải/có/chưa] + Verb: To express "still have to," "still have," or "not yet."

Chúng tôi còn phải chờ.We still have to wait.

Bạn còn có anh chị em không?Do you still have siblings?

Tôi còn chưa ăn sáng.I still haven't eaten breakfast.

còn (also / and / what about)

• Clause 1, còn Clause 2: To connect two clauses, often showing contrast or an additional point.

Cô ấy thông minh, còn anh ấy thì chăm chỉ.She is intelligent, and he is hardworking.

Hà Nội có nhiều di tích, còn Sài Gòn có nhiều trung tâm thương mại.Hanoi has many historical sites, and Saigon has many shopping centers.

• [Noun/Pronoun] + thì sao? / còn gì nữa?: To ask "what about X?" or "what else?".

Tôi đi bộ, còn bạn thì sao?I walk, what about you?

Bạn muốn ăn gì, còn gì nữa không?What do you want to eat, anything else?

• Statement, còn + Adjective/Noun + nữa: To add an extra quality or item.

Món này rất ngon, còn bổ dưỡng nữa.This dish is very delicious, and also nutritious.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1 — Using "còn" for "still" when referring to a past action's persistence

While "còn" can indicate an ongoing state or remaining quantity, when referring to an action that was 'still' happening at a specific point in the past or a persistent state, "vẫn" is often the more natural choice to emphasize persistence or an unchanging state against expectation. "Còn" might imply "he was also working" or "he still had work to do" rather than simply "he was persistently working."

❌ Hôm qua, anh ấy còn làm việc lúc 10 giờ đêm.

✅ Hôm qua, anh ấy vẫn làm việc lúc 10 giờ đêm.

Explanation: "Vẫn" correctly conveys "he was persistently working" at that specific time in the past. "Còn" is less idiomatic for this nuance of persistence in the past.

Mistake 2 — Using "còn" for simple conjunction where "và" is more appropriate

Learners sometimes use "còn" as "and" in simple conjunctions where "và" (and) or simply comma separation would be more appropriate for listing items or actions without a strong sense of contrast or introduction of a new subject.

❌ Tôi mua sách còn bút.

✅ Tôi mua sách và bút.

Explanation: The "còn" meaning "also/and" is typically used to introduce a new or contrasting clause or a separate item in a more structured comparison. For simply listing two items, "và" is the correct conjunction.

Mistake 3 — Misplacing "còn" as "still" in questions about existence or possession

When asking if something "still exists" or "remains" (e.g., "do you still have X?" or "is there still X?"), "còn" should typically precede the noun or be at the beginning of the clause, rather than at the end of a noun phrase.

❌ Bạn có sữa còn không?

✅ Bạn còn sữa không?

Explanation: The correct structure for "do you still have X?" is generally "Subject + còn + X không?" or "Còn X không?". Placing "còn" at the end like an adverb modifying the verb "có" is incorrect in this common interrogative structure for "still.""

Related Grammar Points

• đi vs đến vs tới — Go vs Arrive (Formal vs Informal) (Comparison A2)
• cứ — Keep Doing / Go Ahead in Vietnamese (Grammar A2)
• bằng — Equal Comparison (As...As) (Grammar A2)
• hay — Often, Usually (Habit) (Grammar A2)
• hơn — Comparative (More Than) (Grammar A2)
• nhất — Superlative (The Most) in Vietnamese (Grammar A2)

Quick Quiz

Fill in the blank with [còn or vẫn còn:

Bánh mì này _____ nóng.

Hint: The sentence describes a current, ongoing state of something without necessarily implying a contrast to expectations.

Fill in the blank with còn or và:

Tôi thích đi du lịch, _____ bạn thì sao?

Hint: The blank introduces a question about another person or a contrasting idea.

Fill in the blank with còn or và:

Tôi đã ăn phở _____ uống trà đá.

Hint: The blank simply connects two actions done by the same person without implying contrast or a new subject.