# I think he isn't … in Vietnamese (B1)

> English often says "I don't think he'll come", putting "not" with "think". Vietnamese usually puts không where the "not" really belongs, after nghĩ là…

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/negation-in-subclause/ · Updated 2026-10-17

**negation after think**

Pattern: `[person] + nghĩ (là) + [person 2] + không + [verb]`

Level: B1 (our estimate) · Register: everyday

English often says "I don't think he'll come", putting "not" with "think". Vietnamese usually puts *không* where the "not" really belongs, after *nghĩ là*: *Tôi nghĩ là anh ấy sẽ không tới.* I don't think he'll come (literally, I think he won't come).

The same goes for *thấy* (find, feel), a very common way to give an opinion in Saigon: *Em thấy cái áo này không hợp với chị.* I don't think this top suits you. For a guess, use *chắc* (probably) with *không*: *Chắc mai trời không mưa đâu.* I don't think it'll rain tomorrow.

*Tôi không nghĩ là …* also exists, but it sounds stronger, closer to disagreeing: "I really don't think …". *Tôi không nghĩ vậy* is the natural reply when you disagree with something just said: I don't think so.

*Là* after *nghĩ* is often left out in speech: *Tôi nghĩ anh ấy sẽ không tới.* In writing you'll see *rằng* instead.

## Examples

- Saigon: Tôi nghĩ là anh ấy sẽ không tới. | Hà Nội: Tôi nghĩ là anh ấy sẽ không đến. — I don't think he'll come.
- Em thấy cái áo này không hợp với chị. — I don't think this top suits you.
- Chắc mai trời không mưa đâu. — I don't think it'll rain tomorrow.
- Saigon: Tôi không nghĩ vậy. | Hà Nội: Tôi không nghĩ thế. — I don't think so.

## Compare

- [That (after say, think): rằng / là](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/rang-la-that/): that (+ sentence)

Previous in Là, có, and how verbs work together: [Figuring out, realising: verb + ra (nhận ra, nghĩ ra, tìm ra)](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/ra-discover/)
Next in Là, có, and how verbs work together: [Telling someone: kể / nói … cho … nghe](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/cho-nghe/)

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