# Adjectives with a built-in very in Vietnamese (B2)

> Some adjectives have a partner syllable that turns them up to the top: trắng tinh (pure white), nóng hổi (piping hot), nặng trịch (really heavy), mới…

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/intensified-adjectives/ · Updated 2026-10-17

**intensified adjectives**

Pattern: `[adjective] + [fixed syllable]`

Level: B2 (our estimate) · Register: everyday

Some adjectives have a partner syllable that turns them up to the top: *trắng tinh* (pure white), *nóng hổi* (piping hot), *nặng trịch* (really heavy), *mới tinh* (brand new). The partner has no meaning you need on its own. It works like "brand" in "brand new" or "pitch" in "pitch dark".

Each partner fits only its own adjective, so they're learnt pair by pair. A few useful ones: *tối thui* (pitch dark), *chua lè* (really sour), *ngọt lịm* (sweet through and through), *sạch bong* (spotless), *thẳng tắp* (dead straight). Some pairs differ by region: Saigon says *tối thui* where Hà Nội says *tối om*.

Because the partner already means "completely", *rất*, *lắm* and *quá* don't go with these pairs. Say *Cái áo này trắng tinh*, not *rất trắng tinh*.

They're everyday and vivid, typical when you describe something you can see, touch or taste, and they're common in stories too. Use them about things more than people: some pairs about a person's looks can sound blunt.

If you don't know the pair, the plain adjective with *rất* or *quá* is always safe: *rất nặng*, *nặng quá*.

## A common mistake

✗ Cái áo này rất trắng tinh.

✓ Cái áo này trắng tinh.

*Tinh* already turns *trắng* up to the top, so *rất*, *lắm* and *quá* have nothing left to add.

## Examples

- Bánh mì mới ra lò, còn nóng hổi nè. — The bread's just out of the oven, still piping hot.
- Saigon: Cúp điện, trong nhà tối thui. | Hà Nội: Mất điện, trong nhà tối om. — The power's out and it's pitch dark in the house.
- Cái vali này nặng trịch, em xách không nổi. — This suitcase is so heavy I can't lift it.
- Xoài này chua lè, ăn không nổi. — This mango is so sour I can't eat it.
- Saigon: Đôi giày còn mới tinh, em mới mang có một lần. | Hà Nội: Đôi giày còn mới tinh, em mới đi có một lần. — The shoes are brand new, I've only worn them once.

## Compare

- [Very: rất before the adjective](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/rat-very/): very

Previous in How much, and comparing: [X long, X tall, X heavy: dài / cao / nặng + number + unit](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/adj-measure/)
Next in How much, and comparing: [Extremely: hết sức, vô cùng](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/het-suc-vo-cung/)

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