bằng không
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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.)
- Otherwise, [or] else
- Biết thì làm, bằng không thì phải hỏiIf one knows how, one can do it, otherwise one must ask
- It's a mere waste of efforts; it's just labour lost