Quick Answer
"Vẫn" implies a continuation of a state or action, often with an underlying expectation or surprise that it's still happening. "Cứ" indicates a continuous or persistent action, often with a sense of indifference, urging, or letting something happen without intervention.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Vẫn (Still / Yet) | Cứ (Keep Doing / Just Do / Go Ahead) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Expresses continuation of a state or action; indicates something is still the case, or yet to happen. Often carries a nuance of persistence, expectation, or mild surprise. | Expresses continuation of an action without interruption; urges or encourages someone to proceed; or indicates indifference, allowing something to happen. |
| Usage | Used when something has not changed, despite circumstances or expectations. "He still likes coffee." "She still hasn't come." | Used to instruct or encourage continuous action. "Just keep studying." "Go ahead and just eat." Can also imply "as long as," or "no matter what." |
| Connotation | Implies a state of constancy or a situation that persists. Can sometimes express mild surprise or a sense that something should have changed but hasn't. | Implies directness, uninterrupted flow, or permission/indifference. Can be encouraging ("go ahead"), or resigned ("let it be"). |
| Example |
Anh ấy vẫn còn yêu cô ấy. He still loves her. Trời vẫn mưa. It's still raining. |
Cứ nói đi. Just say it / Go ahead and say it. Cứ học đi, đừng lo lắng. Just keep studying, don't worry. Cứ làm đi, tôi không bận tâm. Just do it, I don't care. |
Detailed Explanation
Vẫn
"Vẫn" is primarily used to denote that a state or action continues to exist or happen. It conveys the idea of "still," "yet," or "as before."
- Continuation of a state or action: This is the most common use. It indicates that something has not changed.
Example: "Anh ấy vẫn ở nhà." (He is still at home.)Example: "Cô ấy vẫn làm việc đó." (She is still doing that work.)
- Persistence despite expectation: "Vẫn" can also imply that something continues even when there might have been an expectation for it to stop or change.
Example: "Dù trời mưa, chúng tôi vẫn đi chơi." (Even though it's raining, we still went out.)
- Unmet expectations (often with "chưa"): When combined with "chưa" (not yet), "vẫn" emphasizes that something has still not happened.
Example: "Tôi vẫn chưa ăn cơm." (I still haven't eaten rice yet.)
Cứ
"Cứ" has several related but distinct meanings, revolving around continuous action, urging, or indifference.
- Continuous or persistent action: It can mean "to keep on doing" or "to continue without interruption."
Example: "Cứ đi thẳng là tới." (Just keep going straight and you'll arrive.)
- Urging or encouraging: "Cứ" can be used to give permission or encourage someone to do something, often translated as "just go ahead and" or "feel free to."
Example: "Cứ tự nhiên như ở nhà." (Just make yourself at home.)Example: "Bạn cứ hỏi đi." (Please, just ask / Go ahead and ask.)
- Indifference or allowing something to happen: It can express a lack of concern or a decision to let things proceed without interference, sometimes with a nuance of "no matter what" or "as long as."
Example: "Anh ấy cứ nói, tôi cứ nghe." (He just keeps talking, I just keep listening.)Example: "Trời cứ mưa đi, tôi vẫn sẽ đi." (Let it rain, I will still go.)
Example Pairs
Anh ấy vẫn đợi bạn.
He is still waiting for you.
Anh ấy cứ đợi bạn.
He just keeps waiting for you (implying persistence/indifference).
Tôi vẫn thích cà phê đen.
I still like black coffee.
Tôi cứ thích cà phê đen.
I just like black coffee (implying an unwavering preference).
Mọi người vẫn làm việc.
Everyone is still working.
Mọi người cứ làm việc.
Everyone just keeps working / Everyone should just work.
Cô ấy vẫn ở đó.
She is still there.
Cô ấy cứ ở đó.
She just stays there / She keeps staying there.
Dù khó khăn, họ vẫn cố gắng.
Even though it's difficult, they still try.
Dù khó khăn, họ cứ cố gắng.
Even though it's difficult, they just keep trying.
Điện thoại vẫn reo.
The phone is still ringing.
Điện thoại cứ reo.
The phone just keeps ringing (implying annoyance or indifference to answer).
Tôi vẫn chưa hiểu.
I still don't understand yet.
Bạn cứ hỏi đi, tôi sẽ giải thích.
You just ask (go ahead and ask), I will explain.
Họ vẫn nói chuyện.
They are still talking.
Họ cứ nói chuyện.
They just keep talking (implying continuous, perhaps unnoticed, conversation).
Common Patterns
Vẫn còn... (still remaining/still have): Emphasizes continuation of existence. Example: "Trong tủ lạnh vẫn còn đồ ăn." (There is still food in the fridge.) Vẫn chưa... (still not yet): Indicates an action has not happened up to now. Example: "Anh ấy vẫn chưa về nhà." (He still hasn't come home yet.) Cứ đi đi / Cứ làm đi (Just go / Just do it): Common phrases for encouraging or giving permission. Example: "Cứ ăn đi, đừng ngại." (Just eat, don't be shy.) Cứ thế mà... (Just like that, proceed/continue): Emphasizes following a method or continuous action. Example: "Cứ thế mà làm theo hướng dẫn." (Just follow the instructions like that.) Ai cứ việc nấy (Everyone just does their own business): A saying implying people should mind their own affairs.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Using "cứ" for a simple continuation of state.
While "cứ" can imply continuation, it often carries a stronger nuance of persistence, urging, or indifference. For a simple "still" or "as before," "vẫn" is more natural.
❌ Trời cứ mưa.
✅ Trời vẫn mưa.
The mistake is using "cứ" when you simply mean "it's still raining" without implying an action that keeps raining or an indifferent allowance for it to rain. "Vẫn" correctly conveys the simple continuation of the weather state.
Mistake 2 — Using "vẫn" for permission or urging.
"Vẫn" doesn't carry the meaning of "go ahead" or "just do it." This is a role for "cứ."
❌ Bạn vẫn nói đi.
✅ Bạn cứ nói đi.
The error here is trying to use "vẫn" to encourage someone to speak. "Vẫn nói đi" would awkwardly mean "you still speak (go ahead)" implying they were already speaking or should continue despite something. "Cứ nói đi" naturally grants permission or urges them to speak.
Mistake 3 — Incorrectly combining "vẫn" with commands.
"Vẫn" expresses a state, not an action to be commanded. "Cứ" is more suitable for direct instructions or encouragement.
❌ Vẫn học đi.
✅ Cứ học đi.
Using "vẫn học đi" sounds like "still study (go ahead and study)," which is grammatically awkward. "Cứ học đi" means "just keep studying" or "go ahead and study," which is a natural encouragement or command.
Quick Quiz
Fill in the blank with vẫn or cứ:
- Cô ấy _____ làm việc dù đã muộn.
Hint: She is continuing her action despite the late hour. This implies persistence against an expectation.
Answer
Correct answer: Cô ấy vẫn làm việc dù đã muộn.
Explanation: "Vẫn" is used here to show that she is still working, continuing her action even though it's late, possibly against the expectation that she would have stopped.
Fill in the blank with vẫn or cứ:
- Nếu bạn không hiểu, bạn _____ hỏi tôi.
Hint: This sentence is giving permission or encouragement to ask questions.
Answer
Correct answer: Nếu bạn không hiểu, bạn cứ hỏi tôi.
Explanation: "Cứ" is used to grant permission or encourage someone to "just ask" if they don't understand, implying they should feel free to do so.
Fill in the blank with vẫn or cứ:
- Dù tôi đã giải thích nhiều lần, anh ấy _____ chưa hiểu.
Hint: This highlights that something has not happened yet despite efforts.
Answer
Correct answer: Dù tôi đã giải thích nhiều lần, anh ấy vẫn chưa hiểu.
Explanation: "Vẫn chưa" together emphasizes that he still hasn't understood, reinforcing the continuation of his state of not understanding despite the repeated explanations.