Definition

1. Adverb:
   • At most, at the maximum: Used to indicate the upper limit of a quantity, time, or degree, suggesting that the actual amount or extent is not likely to exceed this point.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Việc này bất quá năm ngày làm xong. (This job can be done in five days at most.)
  • Ý kiến của anh ta bất quá chỉ được vài ba người tán thành. (His view is approved of by two or three people at most.)
  • Chuyến đi bất quá kéo dài một tuần. (The trip will last one week at most.)

Advanced Usage

• "bất quá chỉ là...": is/are nothing more than..., merely...
  • Lời hứa đó bất quá chỉ là lời nói suông. (That promise is nothing more than empty words.)
• Used to downplay the significance, scale, or impact of something, often implying it is not a big deal or is within manageable limits.
  • Anh đừng lo, khó khăn bất quá chỉ tạm thời thôi. (Don't worry, the difficulty is merely temporary at most.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhiều nhất: (Adverb) At most. A more common and direct synonym.
  • Tôi sẽ đến trễ nhiều nhất mười phút. (I will be late by ten minutes at most.)
• Tối đa: (Adverb) Maximum, at most. Often used in formal or quantitative contexts.
  • Chi phí tối đa là một triệu đồng. (The maximum cost is one million dong.)

Synonyms

• Chỉ: Only, merely. (Emphasizes limitation but doesn't inherently state a maximum.)
• Cũng chỉ: Also only. (Adds a concessive tone.)
• Tối đa: Maximum, at most. (More formal, often for numbers/quantities.)

Notes on Meaning

• Limiting Adverb: "Bất quá" primarily functions to set an upper bound. It often carries a nuance of minimizing or downplaying the following quantity or description.
• Tone: It can convey a tone of reassurance (that something is not too serious) or sometimes slight dismissal (that something is not very significant).
• Not for Minimums: It is not used to indicate "at least." For that meaning, use "ít nhất."

1. At most
   • việc này bất quá năm ngày làm xong
     this job can be done in five days at most
   • ý kiến của anh ta bất quá chỉ được vài ba người tán thành
     his view is approved of by two or three people at most