Meaning & Usage
As you progress toward the B2 level in Vietnamese, your ability to express opinions needs to move beyond the basic "tôi nghĩ" (I think) or "tôi thấy" (I feel/see). In formal discussions, academic writing, or business meetings, you need a phrase that conveys a sense of reasoned judgment and intellectual stance. This is where "cho rằng" comes in.
The phrase "cho rằng" is used to introduce a statement that the speaker believes to be true based on their perspective, evidence, or logic. While "nghĩ" is very broad and can refer to any thought crossing your mind, "cho rằng" suggests a degree of deliberation. It is similar to the English expressions "to be of the opinion that," "to maintain that," or "to contend that." It positions the speaker as someone who has evaluated a situation and arrived at a specific conclusion.
From a linguistic perspective, "cho" here carries the sense of "considering" or "assigning a value/status to," and "rằng" is a complementizer, similar to the word "that" in English. When you use this structure, you are essentially saying, "I hold the view that...".
It is highly common in news reports, intellectual debates, and professional feedback. For example, a doctor might use "cho rằng" when diagnosing a complex case based on symptoms, or a manager might use it when discussing market trends. It sounds more authoritative and less hesitant than "hình như" (it seems) or "chắc là" (maybe).
In terms of regional usage, "cho rằng" is understood perfectly throughout Vietnam. However, in the North, you might hear it more frequently in formal speech and television broadcasts. In the South, while still used in formal contexts, speakers might sometimes opt for "cho là" in slightly more casual (but still serious) settings. To master the B2 level, you should use "cho rằng" when you want to sound persuasive and professional.
Structure & Formation
The structure for using "cho rằng" is straightforward and follows the standard Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern of Vietnamese, where the "object" is actually a subordinate clause.
| Subject | Verb Phrase | Subordinate Clause (The Opinion) |
|---|---|---|
| Tôi (I) | cho rằng | việc này rất quan trọng. (this matter is very important.) |
| Nhiều người (Many people) | cho rằng | giá nhà sẽ giảm. (house prices will decrease.) |
| Chuyên gia (Experts) | cho rằng | đây là cơ hội tốt. (this is a good opportunity.) |
You can also use this structure in the negative form to express disagreement with a proposition:
-
Subject + không cho rằng + Clause: This expresses that the speaker does not hold that specific opinion.
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Subject + cho rằng + Clause (Negative): This expresses that the speaker holds the opinion that something is not the case.
Note: Unlike the English "I don't think that...", which is often used even when we mean "I think that... not...", Vietnamese speakers are quite literal. If you say "Tôi không cho rằng," you are actively rejecting the premise.
Example Sentences
In Professional Settings
Tôi cho rằng chúng ta nên cân nhắc kỹ trước khi ký hợp đồng này.
I am of the opinion that we should consider carefully before signing this contract.
Giám đốc cho rằng dự án này sẽ mang lại lợi nhuận cao trong năm tới.
The director believes that this project will bring high profits in the coming year.
Nhiều đồng nghiệp của tôi cho rằng quy định mới này không thực sự hiệu quả.
Many of my colleagues maintain that this new regulation is not really effective.
Discussing General Beliefs & Trends
Phần lớn giới trẻ hiện nay cho rằng việc học ngoại ngữ là cực kỳ cần thiết.
Most of today's youth believe that learning a foreign language is extremely necessary.
Các nhà khoa học cho rằng biến đổi khí hậu đang diễn ra nhanh hơn dự kiến.
Scientists maintain that climate change is happening faster than expected.
Dư luận cho rằng chính sách này cần được sửa đổi sớm.
Public opinion holds that this policy needs to be amended soon.
Expressing Personal Stance
Tôi không cho rằng tiền bạc là yếu tố duy nhất tạo nên hạnh phúc.
I don't believe that money is the only factor that creates happiness.
Cá nhân tôi cho rằng anh ấy đã làm hết sức mình trong hoàn cảnh đó.
Personally, I think that he did his best in that situation.
Tại sao bạn lại cho rằng phương án này sẽ thất bại?
Why do you maintain that this option will fail?
Formal Debates & Reporting
Luật sư cho rằng thân chủ của mình hoàn toàn vô tội.
The lawyer maintains that his client is completely innocent.
Báo chí cho rằng đây là một bước ngoặt lớn cho nền kinh tế.
The press considers this to be a major turning point for the economy.
Một số người cho rằng công nghệ đang làm con người xa cách nhau hơn.
Some people hold the view that technology is making people more distant from each other.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using "cho rằng" for basic senses or feelings
❌ Tôi cho rằng hôm nay trời lạnh.
✅ Tôi thấy hôm nay trời lạnh.
Explanation: "Cho rằng" is for reasoned opinions or beliefs, not for immediate physical sensations or simple observations. Use "thấy" (to feel/see/find) for sensory experiences.
Mistake 2: Confusing "cho rằng" with "cho là" in all contexts
❌ Tôi cho rằng anh ấy một người tốt.
✅ Tôi cho anh ấy là một người tốt. / Tôi cho rằng anh ấy là một người tốt.
Explanation: "Cho rằng" must be followed by a full clause (Subject + Verb). If you want to follow the verb directly with a noun phrase to categorize someone, "cho là" or "coi là" is often more natural, although "cho rằng + [clause with là]" is also acceptable.
Mistake 3: Redundancy with "nghĩ"
❌ Tôi nghĩ cho rằng chúng ta nên đi.
✅ Tôi cho rằng chúng ta nên đi.
Explanation: English speakers sometimes try to translate "I think I believe that..." literally. In Vietnamese, choose one or the other. "Cho rằng" already includes the act of thinking.
Mistake 4: Using it in very casual, low-stakes settings
❌ Tớ cho rằng cậu nên ăn món phở này.
✅ Tớ nghĩ cậu nên ăn món phở này.
Explanation: Using "cho rằng" with close friends (using "tớ/cậu") can sound unnaturally stiff or even slightly arrogant, as if you are delivering a formal verdict on their lunch choice. Stick to "nghĩ" for casual advice.
Cultural Notes
In Vietnamese culture, expressing a personal opinion can sometimes be a delicate matter, especially if that opinion contradicts a superior or an elder. When using "cho rằng" in a meeting with a boss, it is common to soften the statement by adding phrases like "Cá nhân em cho rằng..." (Personally, I [younger] think that...) or "Theo quan điểm của tôi..." (From my point of view...). This shows that you are offering a perspective rather than stating an absolute fact that others must follow.
Interestingly, the word "cho" (to give) reflects a deep-seated linguistic metaphor in Vietnamese: to have an opinion is to "give" a judgment or to "grant" a status to a situation. This is why in formal writing, you will see it used to attribute beliefs to groups of people (e.g., "Người dân cho rằng..."). It creates a slightly objective distance between the reporter and the opinion being reported.
Practice Tips
To master this grammar point for the B2 NLTV (VSTEP) exam, focus on the "Speaking Part 3" (Discussion) and "Writing Task 2" (Essay). You will frequently be asked to discuss the pros and cons of a topic. Instead of repeating "Tôi nghĩ" in every paragraph, rotate between "Tôi cho rằng," "Tôi tin rằng" (I believe that), and "Theo tôi" (According to me).
A common test pattern is to ask: "Bạn có đồng ý với ý kiến cho rằng...?" (Do you agree with the opinion that...?). Your answer should start with: "Tôi đồng ý/không đồng ý với ý kiến cho rằng..." to show the examiner you have a high-level grasp of formal sentence structures. Try writing three sentences today about a current event in your country, starting each with "Nhiều người cho rằng..." to practice reporting different perspectives.