từng + Classifier

One by One

Level 4

The word từng breaks a plural group down into its individual components, showing that an action applies to them sequentially (one after another) or methodically.

How It Works

While English often translates từng simply as 'each', it carries a very specific nuance in Vietnamese: succession. You use it when dealing with a group by focusing on one member, then the next, and so on.

Key Rules and Nuances:

  • Noun Attachment: For standard physical objects, từng usually attaches to a classifier (e.g., từng quả táo). However, the classifier is often dropped when the physical object is treated as a spatial unit, station, or group (e.g., từng bàn in a restaurant context). It can also attach directly to many human, spatial, and abstract nouns (e.g., từng nhà, từng học sinh, từng trường hợp).
  • The Emphatic 'một': You will frequently see the pattern từng + Noun/Classifier + một (e.g., từng người một - one person at a time). The trailing một is optional but highly natural for emphasizing methodical, step-by-step action. This pattern is also used in highly common lexicalized phrases like từng bước một (step by step) and từng chút một / từng tí một (little by little).
  • Batches of Numbers: You can also insert numbers other than 'một' to mean 'in batches of X' (e.g., từng hai người một or từng ba người - two by two, three by three).
  • Groups and Batches: Từng doesn't strictly mean a single item. It can attach to collective nouns to mean 'group by group' or 'batch by batch' (e.g., từng nhóm, từng đôi).

Từng vs. Mỗi:
Learners frequently confuse từng with mỗi (each/every).

  • Use mỗi to isolate members to highlight their individual characteristics or general facts (e.g., Mỗi người một ý - Each person has their own opinion).
  • Use từng to isolate members to highlight sequence or methodical action (e.g., checking items one by one).
  • Position of 'một': Notice the structural difference when adding một for emphasis. With từng, it goes at the end: từng người một (one person at a time). With mỗi, it goes before the noun: mỗi một người (every single person).
  • Time Expressions: Compare mỗi ngày (every day / routine) with từng ngày (day by day / each passing day). The former states a recurring fact, while the latter emphasizes the methodical succession of time passing.

Note on 'từng' as a verb marker: Do not confuse this noun modifier with the past-experience marker đã từng (or simply từng) placed directly before verbs, which means 'used to' or 'have ever' (e.g., Tôi từng sống ở đó).

Examples (5)

  1. Họ bước vào phòng từng người một.

    They entered the room one by one.

    Word by Word: They step enter room each person one.

    The addition of 'một' at the end heavily emphasizes the sequential nature of them entering.

  2. Hãy đọc kỹ từng chữ một.

    Read every single word carefully (word for word).

    Word by Word: Do (imperative) read carefully each word one.

    Here, 'chữ' acts as a unit noun. The pattern shows a methodical, step-by-step examination of the text.

  3. Cô giáo kiểm tra bài của từng học sinh.

    The teacher checked the homework of each student.

    Word by Word: Teacher check lesson of each student.

    This implies the teacher went through the homework sequentially, one student after another. Notice that 'một' is omitted here, which is perfectly grammatical.

  4. Tôi nhớ lại từng kỷ niệm.

    I recalled each memory one by one.

    Word by Word: I remember back each memory.

    Shows the methodical process of going through memories sequentially.

  5. Từng ngày trôi qua, anh ấy càng khỏe hơn.

    With each passing day, he gets healthier.

    Word by Word: Each day drift pass, he more healthy more.

    'Ngày' (day) is a unit noun. This highlights the chronological sequence of time passing.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'từng' instead of 'mỗi' for general individual facts.

    Từng người có một sở thích.
    Mỗi người có một sở thích.

    Because English uses 'each' for both concepts, learners often use 'từng' to state general facts. However, 'từng' requires a context of sequential action or methodical examination. For stating that individuals have distinct characteristics, you must use 'mỗi'.

  • Omitting the classifier for physical objects after 'từng'.

    Tôi ăn từng táo một.
    Tôi ăn từng quả táo một.

    While 'từng' can attach directly to many abstract, spatial, or human nouns, it usually requires a classifier when used with standard physical objects that aren't treated as stations or units. You cannot attach it directly to a base noun like 'táo' (apple) without its classifier 'quả'.

How It Connects

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

từng + ClassifierLevel 4One by One

Learn This First

To understand 'từng + Classifier', a learner must first be comfortable with the concept of classifiers in Vietnamese and how they are typically used in noun phrases to count or specify items. This pattern builds directly on the basic counting structure by substituting a specific number with 'từng' to indicate a distributive action (each one in turn).

Words in This Pattern