Definition

1. Conjunction:
   • Otherwise; or else; if not: Used to introduce the negative consequence or alternative outcome that will occur if a previously stated condition is not met. It connects two clauses, where the first states a requirement or action, and the second states what will happen if that requirement is not fulfilled.

Usage Examples

• Conjunction:
  • Anh phải học chăm chỉ, bằng không anh sẽ trượt kỳ thi. (You must study hard, otherwise you will fail the exam.)
  • Hãy trả lời tôi ngay, bằng không tôi sẽ đi. (Answer me immediately, or else I will leave.)
  • Cần phải giữ bình tĩnh, bằng không mọi việc sẽ hỏng. (We need to stay calm, otherwise everything will be ruined.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to present a stark choice or an unavoidable consequence. It often carries a tone of warning or urgency.
  • Nộp bài đúng hạn, bằng không điểm sẽ bị trừ. (Submit the assignment on time, if not points will be deducted.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nếu không: A more common and direct synonym for "if not," often used interchangeably in conditional statements.
  • Nhanh lên, nếu không chúng ta sẽ muộn. (Hurry up, if not we will be late.)
• Không thì: A more colloquial and slightly softer alternative.
  • Cố gắng lên, không thì thua mất. (Try harder, or else you'll lose.)

Synonyms

• Otherwise: Introduces what will happen if the preceding statement is not true or followed.
• Or else: Emphasizes a negative consequence.
• If not: Presents a direct alternative condition.

Related Idioms

• While "bằng không" itself is not typically part of a longer idiom, it functions similarly to the English construction in warnings or ultimatums.
  • Làm theo lời tôi, bằng không bạn sẽ hối hận. (Do as I say, or else you will regret it.)

1. Otherwise, [or] else
   • Biết thì làm, bằng không thì phải hỏi
     If one knows how, one can do it, otherwise one must ask
2. It's a mere waste of efforts; it's just labour lost