tuy nhiên

However

Level 4

Tuy nhiên means "however" or "nevertheless." It is a formal word used to introduce a contrast with a previous statement or clause.

How It Works

1. Structure and Punctuation:
Tuy nhiên is typically placed at the start of a contrasting sentence or independent clause. When starting a new sentence, it is often followed by a comma. When connecting two clauses within the same sentence, it is usually preceded by a comma or a semicolon. Unlike the English word 'however', tuy nhiên traditionally cannot be placed mid-sentence parenthetically or at the end of a sentence (e.g., Anh ấy không đi, tuy nhiên is strictly ungrammatical); doing so sounds unnatural and like a direct English translation. It should generally be placed at the beginning of the clause it introduces.

2. Register and Synonyms:
This is a formal, Sino-Vietnamese compound heavily used in news broadcasts, academic writing, and professional presentations. In everyday casual conversation, native speakers strongly prefer nhưng or nhưng mà. Common synonyms for tuy nhiên include tuy vậy, tuy thế, and thế nhưng. Note for learners of Chinese: This is a false friend! While the modern Chinese cognate (雖然) means 'although', the Vietnamese word means 'however'.

3. Crucial Distinctions and Collocations:

  • Tuy nhiên vs. Nhưng: Both can start a new sentence or connect clauses mid-sentence. The main difference is formality: tuy nhiên is formal and weighty, while nhưng is neutral and versatile.
  • Tuy nhiên vs. Tuy: Because it contains the word tuy, learners sometimes confuse it with "although." tuy ... nhưng ... introduces a dependent concessive clause (Although A, B), while tuy nhiên introduces the main contrasting clause itself (A. However, B). Crucially, never start a tuy ... nhưng ... structure with tuy nhiên (e.g., Tuy nhiên trời mưa, nhưng tôi vẫn đi is a redundancy error).
  • Conjunctive Adverb vs. Adverb: Tuy nhiên only translates to 'however' when used as a conjunctive adverb to contrast two ideas. It cannot be used for the adverbial 'however' meaning 'no matter how' (e.g., 'However hard he tried...'), which requires a different structure like dù có ... đi nữa.
  • Common Pairings: The clause following tuy nhiên frequently pairs with adverbs like vẫn (still) or lại (on the contrary) to emphasize the contrast or concession.

Examples (5)

  1. Thời tiết hôm nay rất đẹp. Tuy nhiên, tôi vẫn phải ở nhà làm việc.

    The weather today is very nice. However, I still have to stay home and work.

    Word by Word: Weather today very beautiful. However, I still must stay home do work.

    Notice how 'tuy nhiên' introduces a contrast in a new sentence, adding a slightly formal tone.

  2. Ý tưởng này có nhiều rủi ro. Tuy nhiên, nó rất đáng để thử.

    This idea has many risks. However, it is very much worth a try.

    Word by Word: Idea this has many risks. However, it very worth to try.

    A typical professional context where 'tuy nhiên' is preferred over a simple 'nhưng' to add rhetorical weight.

  3. Ông ấy mới đi công tác về và còn rất mệt. Tuy nhiên, ông ấy đi làm ngay.

    He just returned from a business trip and was still very tired. However, he went to work right away.

    Word by Word: He just go work trip return and still very tired. However, he go work immediately.

    Demonstrates a strong contrast or unexpected result, delivered formally.

  4. Dự án đã hoàn thành đúng hạn. Tuy nhiên, chi phí lại vượt quá ngân sách.

    The project was completed on time. However, the cost exceeded the budget.

    Word by Word: Project already complete right deadline. However, cost contrary exceed past budget.

    Common usage in business and administrative reporting.

  5. Cô ấy học rất giỏi, tuy nhiên cô ấy lại khá nhút nhát.

    She studies very well, however she is quite shy.

    Word by Word: She study very well, however she contrary quite shy.

    Here, 'tuy nhiên' connects two independent clauses within the same sentence, preceded by a comma.

Common Mistakes

  • Combining it redundantly with 'nhưng' in the same clause.

    Dự án này rất tốt, nhưng tuy nhiên nó quá đắt.
    Dự án này rất tốt. Tuy nhiên, nó quá đắt.

    Using both 'nhưng' and 'tuy nhiên' together is redundant and grammatically awkward. Choose one based on the desired formality and sentence structure.

  • Using it to mean 'although' (confusing it with 'tuy').

    Tuy nhiên trời mưa, chúng tôi vẫn đi chơi.
    Tuy trời mưa, chúng tôi vẫn đi chơi.

    'Tuy nhiên' means 'however' and introduces the contrasting result. To say 'although', you must use 'tuy' or 'mặc dù'.

  • Register mismatch: using it in highly casual speech.

    Mình muốn đi uống cà phê. Tuy nhiên, mình hết tiền rồi.
    Mình muốn đi uống cà phê nhưng mà hết tiền rồi.

    In everyday conversation with friends, 'tuy nhiên' sounds unnaturally robotic. Stick to 'nhưng' or 'nhưng mà' for casual contexts.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

tuy nhiênLevel 4However

Learn This First

To understand 'tuy nhiên', learners should first be comfortable with basic contrast markers like 'nhưng'. Since 'tuy nhiên' is a formal, sentence-starting transition, familiarity with the 'tuy... nhưng' construction and the general concept of Sino-Vietnamese formal vocabulary will help the learner use it correctly in writing and formal speech.

Words in This Pattern

tuy nhiên