NLTV B2 Idioms & Collocations for Higher Scores

Introduction

At the B2 level, mastering Vietnamese goes beyond basic vocabulary and grammar. This overview focuses on idioms and collocations, which are crucial for natural, fluent communication and achieving higher scores. Understanding and correctly using these fixed expressions will help you express nuanced meanings and comprehend native speakers more effectively, elevating your proficiency from intermediate to advanced.

Exam Format

What You Need to Know

Grammar Points for B2

• Fixed Verb-Noun Collocations — Understanding common verb-noun pairings that have specific meanings and are used together, e.g., 'đặt câu hỏi' (ask a question), 'mắc lỗi' (make a mistake).
• Idiomatic Prepositional Phrases — Recognizing how prepositions are used in fixed expressions, often with non-literal meanings, e.g., 'từ nay về sau' (from now on), 'về mặt' (in terms of).
• Compound Nouns and Adjectives — Identifying pairs of words that function as a single unit, creating a specific meaning, e.g., 'nhà cửa' (houses and property), 'xa gần' (far and near).
• Figurative Language Usage — Differentiating between literal and metaphorical meanings within idioms, crucial for proper interpretation and use.
• Adverbial Idioms — Understanding multi-word expressions that function as adverbs to describe manner, time, or frequency, e.g., 'một cách vô tư' (carefree), 'lâu lâu' (once in a while).
• Use of Classifiers in Fixed Expressions — How classifiers are integrated into certain collocations or idioms, even when not strictly required by grammatical rules, e.g., 'một miếng đất' (a piece of land), 'một trận mưa' (a heavy rain).
• Rhetorical Questions and Exclamations as Idioms — Recognizing common interrogative or exclamatory phrases that carry an idiomatic meaning rather than seeking a direct answer, e.g., 'Ai mà biết được?' (Who knows?).
• Understanding Parallel Structures in Idioms — Many Vietnamese idioms use parallel structures (A-B, C-D) for emphasis or rhythm, e.g., 'ăn không nói có' (to fabricate things), 'đi sớm về khuya' (to leave early and return late).

Essential Vocabulary Topics

• Daily Life & Routines: (ăn nên làm ra - to be prosperous in business, đi đứng đoan trang - to walk/behave gracefully, nói năng lễ phép - to speak politely)
• Emotions & Feelings: (vui như Tết - as happy as Tet, buồn thiu - very sad/gloomy, giận tím người - to be extremely angry)
• Human Relationships: (kết nghĩa anh em - to swear brotherhood, chia sẻ niềm vui nỗi buồn - to share joys and sorrows, sống chết có nhau - to be together through thick and thin)
• Work & Business: (làm ăn phát đạt - to prosper in business, kinh doanh thua lỗ - to run at a loss, hợp tác chặt chẽ - to cooperate closely)
• Nature & Environment: (nắng như đổ lửa - scorching hot sun, mưa dầm thấm lâu - persistent rain that soaks through, gió heo may - autumnal breeze)
• Character & Personality: (hiền như đất - as gentle as earth, nóng như lửa - hot-tempered, thật thà chất phác - honest and simple-minded)
• Time & Seasons: (thời gian thấm thoắt - time flies quickly, sớm hôm vất vả - to work hard day and night, năm tháng trôi qua - years and months pass by)
• Health & Well-being: (khỏe như voi - as strong as an elephant, ốm yếu xanh xao - weak and pale, đau đầu chóng mặt - headache and dizziness)

Sample Questions

Listening Sample

A: Chị Lan ơi, dạo này em thấy chị làm việc ăn nên làm ra quá!

B: À, cũng nhờ khách hàng ủng hộ đó em.

Question: What does person A mean by saying 'ăn nên làm ra'?

• A. Lan works very hard.
• B. Lan's business is successful and profitable.
• C. Lan enjoys her job a lot.

Reading Sample

Cuộc sống ở thành phố lớn đầy cạnh tranh, nếu không cố gắng, bạn sẽ dễ bị tụt lại phía sau. Để thành công, nhiều người phải đầu tắt mặt tối làm việc cả ngày lẫn đêm, không có thời gian nghỉ ngơi cho bản thân và gia đình.

Question: What does the phrase 'đầu tắt mặt tối' imply about how people work?

• A. They work smartly and efficiently.
• B. They work with great focus and concentration.
• C. They are extremely busy and overworked, having little time for themselves.

Writing Sample

Chọn từ/cụm từ thích hợp để hoàn thành câu sau:

Khi gặp khó khăn, chúng ta nên _____ để tìm ra giải pháp.

• A. buông xuôi
• B. giữ vững tinh thần
• C. bỏ cuộc

Study Tips

• Immerse Yourself in Authentic Content: Regularly read Vietnamese newspapers, watch films, and listen to podcasts to hear and see idioms and collocations used naturally in context.
• Keep a Dedicated Idiom & Collocation Notebook: Organize new expressions by topic or keyword, noting their meaning, an example sentence, and any cultural nuances. Review regularly.
• Practice Active Usage: Don't just memorize. Actively try to incorporate new idioms and collocations into your speaking and writing practice. Start with simpler ones and gradually add more complex expressions.