cho rằng
Hold the View That
Cho rằng means "to hold the view that" or "to assume that." It is used in formal contexts to state a considered opinion or belief.
How It Works
1. Meaning and Register
Cho rằng is a compound of the verb cho (whose literal root means to give, but extends to 'yield/assume/consider' in mental contexts) and the complementizer rằng (that). It strongly implies a subjective opinion, assumption, or hypothesis that is open to debate, rather than a stated fact, making it the go-to phrase for presenting contrasting arguments. It is highly frequent in news media, essays, business meetings, and formal debates. In casual spoken Vietnamese, it is usually replaced by simpler alternatives like nghĩ là or thấy. The negative form, không cho rằng, is a highly frequent, polite way to disagree in formal settings.
2. Common Formal Structures
Because of its formal nature, cho rằng is frequently used in impersonal constructions, such as người ta cho rằng (people think that / it is thought that). Note that for the passive 'it is believed/considered that', native speakers overwhelmingly prefer được cho là over được cho rằng, which can sound like a clunky translation of the English passive voice. In journalism, when introducing a direct quote, a colon is often used after the phrase (e.g., Đại diện công ty cho rằng: "Đây là một bước tiến lớn.").
3. Nuance vs. Similar Verbs
- Nghĩ rằng / Nghĩ là: Refers to the general cognitive process of thinking. While you cannot use cho rằng to mean 'pondering', you will frequently see đang cho rằng in news media to mean someone 'is currently of the opinion that' or 'is currently arguing that'.
- Cho là: Very similar, but slightly less formal. Crucially, while cho là can introduce a full clause exactly like cho rằng (e.g., Tôi cho là anh ấy sẽ đến), it can also take a direct object before the copula verb là (to be) (e.g., Tôi cho anh ấy là người tốt - "I consider him to be a good person"). Cho rằng cannot be split this way. You must place the entire clause after it (e.g., Tôi cho rằng anh ấy là người tốt). Additionally, while cho rằng introduces a clause, the subject of that clause can be omitted if clear from context (e.g., Tôi cho rằng đúng - "I hold the view that [it] is correct").
- Cho biết: While cho rằng is used to report subjective opinions or stances, cho biết is used in news media to report objective facts, announcements, or direct statements. Crucially, journalists use cho rằng to distance themselves from a claim (meaning 'claims that' or 'argues that'), signaling that it is the subject's stance and not necessarily an established truth.
4. Common Collocations
You will frequently encounter this phrase in fixed expressions such as vẫn cho rằng (still maintains the view that) and sai lầm khi cho rằng (wrong to assume that).
Examples (4)
- Nhiều người cho rằng giá nhà sẽ tiếp tục giảm.
Many people hold the view that house prices will continue to fall.
Word by Word: Many person consider that price house will continue decrease.
A classic journalistic sentence showing a formal assumption followed by a full clause.
- Chúng tôi cho rằng quyết định này là công bằng.
We believe that this decision is fair.
Word by Word: We consider that decision this is fair.
Used in a professional context to state a formalized stance.
- Đừng vội cho rằng mọi chuyện đều dễ dàng.
Don't hastily assume that everything is easy.
Word by Word: Don't hurry consider that every matter all easy.
Shows the pattern used as "to assume," warning against a premature conclusion.
- Các chuyên gia cho rằng nền kinh tế đang phục hồi.
Experts argue that the economy is recovering.
Word by Word: Plural expert consider that foundation economy in-progress recover.
Common in academic or news registers to introduce an expert opinion.
Common Mistakes
Placing an object between 'cho' and 'rằng'.
Tôi cho anh ấy rằng là người tốt.Tôi cho rằng anh ấy là người tốt.Unlike 'cho là', which allows an object before the copula verb 'là' (Tôi cho anh ấy là người tốt), 'cho rằng' cannot be split. The entire subordinate clause must follow 'cho rằng'.
Using the pattern in highly casual, everyday contexts to mean a simple thought.
Tôi cho rằng trời sẽ mưa.Tôi nghĩ là trời sẽ mưa.While grammatically correct, using this pattern for casual observations sounds unnaturally stiff and bureaucratic. Native speakers use nghĩ là or 'thấy' for everyday thoughts.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'cho rằng', a learner needs to be familiar with the verb 'cho' and how the complementizer 'rằng' (or 'là') is used to link a verb of cognition or speech to a following clause. It is essentially a formal version of 'nghĩ là'.
- choTo Give / for
The verb 'cho' (to give/let) is the first component of this compound and provides the semantic basis of 'granting' or 'allowing' a viewpoint.
Level 1 - nói rằng / nói làSay That
The use of 'rằng' as a complementizer to introduce a clause (saying 'that') is a fundamental structural requirement for reporting speech or thoughts.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- nghĩ làThink That
This is the everyday equivalent for expressing thoughts, whereas the target pattern is reserved for formal stances and assumptions.
Level 1 - rằngThat (Introducing a Clause)
This is the complementizer component of the pattern, which enforces the grammatical rule that a full independent clause must follow.
Level 4 - cho biếtSaid (News Attribution)
Both are highly formal reporting verbs frequently used in journalistic and professional registers to attribute statements or beliefs.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice cho rằng in Bubblegum
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