bằng

The word bằng is the standard comparative marker for equality in Vietnamese. It is most commonly used after an adjective or adverb to show that two things are equal in that specific quality, but it also functions as a verb meaning "to equal".

1. The Negative Form (Less Than)
When negated with không (e.g., không cao bằng), it translates to "not as tall as." In Vietnamese, this negated equality structure is the most natural and standard way to express "less [adjective] than" for basic, everyday adjectives. While native speakers rarely use "ít ... hơn" for short adjectives, it is acceptable and common for complex or abstract ones (e.g., ít quan trọng hơn).

2. Bằng vs. Như vs. Giống
Learners often confuse these three words, but they have distinct uses:

• Bằng: For measurable, objective qualities (e.g., cao bằng = as tall as).
• như: For subjective similarity, manner, or poetic similes (e.g., đẹp như tiên = beautiful as a fairy). Note that in casual speech, the negative forms không ... như and không ... bằng are often used interchangeably (e.g., không tốt như vs không tốt bằng).
• Giống: To compare overall identity or likeness rather than a specific gradable adjective (e.g., giống nhau = similar to each other).

3. No "To Be" Verb Needed
Because adjectives work like verbs in Vietnamese, you do not need to add là (to be) before the adjective. Just place the adjective directly after the subject.

4. Bằng + Noun or Pronoun
Bằng can attach directly to certain nouns to express equality of a measurable trait, such as bằng tuổi (same age) or bằng giá (same price). It is also directly followed by pronouns when comparing people (e.g., cao bằng tôi = as tall as me, cao bằng anh ấy = as tall as him). Additionally, it is very common to use the structure [Adjective] + bằng + [Noun] to show extent or size by comparing it to a reference object. For example: to bằng cái nhà (as big as a house) or cao bằng cái cây (as tall as a tree).

5. Comparing Quantities
To say "as much/many [noun] as", you can use nhiều before the noun. In affirmative sentences, both bằng and như are equally common and standard (e.g., Tôi có nhiều tiền bằng anh ấy or Tôi có nhiều tiền như anh ấy = I have as much money as him). However, in negative sentences, bằng is heavily preferred (e.g., Tôi không có nhiều tiền bằng anh ấy = I don't have as much money as him). Alternatively, you can use words like số (amount) with bằng, for example: Tôi có số tiền bằng anh ấy.

6. Bằng as "To Equal"
Bằng is also a literal verb meaning "to equal", most notably used in mathematics. For example: Một cộng một bằng hai (One plus one equals two).

7. Grouped Subjects with "Nhau"
When comparing subjects that are grouped together without explicitly naming the second one, use nhau (each other) after bằng. For example, Hai người đó cao bằng nhau (Those two people are as tall as each other).

8. Other Meanings of Bằng
Be careful not to confuse this comparative bằng with its other highly frequent meanings. It is also used to mean "by means of" (e.g., đi bằng xe máy = go by motorbike) or "made of" (e.g., làm bằng gỗ = made of wood). See bằng (means) for more details.