Definition

Adverb: - At least, at the very least: Used to express a minimum expectation, amount, or condition, often to emphasize that something is the smallest or worst acceptable scenario.

Usage

This word is used to set a lower limit or to introduce a concession, implying that even in the worst-case scenario, a certain minimum is still met or expected. It often carries a tone of reassurance or consolation.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Bét ra thì anh ấy cũng phải gọi điện cho tôi chứ. (At the very least, he should have called me.)
  • Công việc này bét ra cũng kiếm được vài triệu một tháng. (This job pays at least a few million a month.)
  • Bét ra, chúng ta cũng đã cố gắng hết sức rồi. (At least we tried our best.)

Advanced Usage

• "Bét ra là...": "The worst-case scenario is..." or "At the very least...". This phrase is used to state the minimum acceptable outcome or fact.
  • Bét ra là chúng ta vẫn còn thời gian. (At the very least, we still have time.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ít ra (adv): At least. This is a more common and slightly more formal synonym.
  • Ít ra cô ấy cũng xin lỗi. (At least she apologized.)
• Tối thiểu (adv): Minimally, at a minimum. Focuses more on a quantitative minimum.
  • Anh ta cần tối thiểu ba ngày. (He needs at least three days.)

Synonyms

• Ít nhất: At least.
• Tối thiểu: Minimum, at a minimum.
• Dù sao đi nữa: Anyway, in any case (used for consolation, similar to "at least" in some contexts).

Related Idioms

• "Được vậy cũng còn hơn không": That's still better than nothing. This idiom shares the consolatory function of finding a positive minimum, similar to the use of .
  • Lương thấp, nhưng bét ra cũng có việc làm. Được vậy cũng còn hơn không. (The salary is low, but at least there's a job. That's still better than nothing.)

1. At [the] least