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Dictionary

unaware

/ˌʌnəˈwer/
B2adjective

Not knowing or realizing that something is happening or exists.

Concreteness 1.8/5 · Abstract

Tiếng Việt

không biết, không nhận thức được

ăn-nờ-OEO

Nhấn mạnh âm tiết cuối 'OEO' (wear), các âm đầu đọc lướt nhẹ.

Không biết hoặc không nhận thức được điều gì đó đang xảy ra hoặc tồn tại.

Meanings

1 meaning

  1. 1Not knowing or realizing that something is happening or that something exists.general

    Không biết hoặc không nhận thức được điều gì đó đang xảy ra hoặc tồn tại.

    “He was completely unaware of the whole affair.”

    “Anh ấy hoàn toàn không biết gì về toàn bộ sự việc.”

    • I was unaware of the risks involved.
    • He remained blissfully unaware of any plotting against him.
    • Most humans are largely unaware of the workings of their own minds.
    • UN officials were seemingly unaware of what was happening in the country.
    • They were apparently unaware that the girl was only 15.

    Người học tiếng Việt thường mắc lỗi dịch word-by-word 'không biết về' thành 'unaware about'. Hãy nhớ luôn dùng 'unaware of' hoặc 'unaware that'.

Word bank

Common phrases

  • appear unaware
  • be unaware
  • seem unaware
  • completely unaware
  • entirely unaware
  • quite unaware
  • blissfully unaware
  • unaware of

Grammar & forms

Grammar

  • linking

Word family

Usage patterns

  • be unaware of something
  • be unaware that

Avoid mistakes

Common mistakes

  • He was unaware about the changes.

    He was unaware of the changes.

    The adjective 'unaware' is followed by the preposition 'of', not 'about'.

  • She is unaware to the danger.

    She is unaware of the danger.

    The correct preposition to use after 'unaware' is 'of', not 'to'.

  • They were unawares of the problem.

    They were unaware of the problem.

    'Unaware' is the adjective form used to describe a state of not knowing. 'Unawares' is an adverb meaning 'by surprise'.

  • I was completely unaware for the situation.

    I was completely unaware of the situation.

    Always use 'of' to introduce the thing that is not known.

  • He seemed unaware the fact that she left.

    He seemed unaware of the fact that she left.

    When followed by a noun phrase like 'the fact', you must include the preposition 'of'.

Don't confuse with

  • unawares

    by surprise; unexpectedly

    “The sudden storm caught them unawares.”

    Use 'unaware' as an adjective to describe a person's state of mind. Use 'unawares' as an adverb to describe how an event happened (by surprise).

  • ignorant

    lacking knowledge or awareness in general

    “He was ignorant of the local customs.”

    'Unaware' usually refers to a specific fact or event in the moment, while 'ignorant' often implies a broader lack of education or knowledge.

Academic collocations

Words that pair with "unaware" in formal and academic writing

verb
remainseemappearbe
preposition
of

In context

Real-world examples

  • daily life

    Many young people are unaware of the long-term health risks of vaping.

    Nhiều bạn trẻ không nhận thức được những rủi ro sức khỏe lâu dài của thuốc lá điện tử.

    Vaping is a growing concern among youth in Vietnam, making this a highly relevant social topic.

  • business

    The foreign investor was unaware of the complex legal procedures in Vietnam.

    Nhà đầu tư nước ngoài không biết về các thủ tục pháp lý phức tạp tại Việt Nam.

    Navigating local bureaucracy is a common challenge for foreign businesses operating in Vietnam.

  • academic

    Students are often unaware that plagiarism can lead to expulsion.

    Sinh viên thường không nhận thức được rằng việc đạo văn có thể dẫn đến bị đuổi học.

    Academic integrity is becoming stricter in Vietnamese universities, making this an important warning for students.

  • daily life

    He drove through the intersection, completely unaware of the red light.

    Anh ta lái xe qua ngã tư, hoàn toàn không để ý đến đèn đỏ.

    Traffic awareness is a daily survival skill in busy Vietnamese cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Notes for Vietnamese speakers

  • Trong tiếng Việt, 'unaware' thường được dịch là 'không biết' hoặc 'không nhận thức được'. Khi nói về các vấn đề xã hội hoặc luật pháp, 'không nhận thức được' mang sắc thái trang trọng và chính xác hơn.
  • Cụm từ 'blissfully unaware' (vui vẻ vì không biết chuyện gì) rất hay được dùng để miêu tả trạng thái vô tư lự, thường được dịch sang tiếng Việt là 'hồn nhiên không biết gì' hoặc 'vô tư không hay biết'.

Etymology

Mid 16th century: from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') + 'aware'. Originally used to describe a lack of vigilance or knowledge.

Exam levels

IELTS

6.0

CEFR

B2

TOEIC

705-800

More in Vietnamese

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