Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Only, just, merely, simply: Used to indicate that something is nothing more or less than what is stated, often to downplay the importance, reason, or nature of something.
   • At most, no more than: Used to set an upper limit or to express that something is not as significant as it might seem.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Chẳng qua là một lời nói đùa. (It was only a joke. / It was just a joke.)
  • Chẳng qua vì không hiểu nên mới làm sai. (It was simply because he didn't understand that he did it wrong.)
  • Anh ấy giận chẳng qua vì bị hiểu lầm. (He's angry merely because he was misunderstood.)
  • Tôi đến đây chẳng qua để chào hỏi. (I came here just to say hello.)

Advanced Usage

• "chẳng qua là...": is only/just...

  • Used to introduce and define the simple, often modest, truth of a situation.
  • Sự khác biệt chẳng qua là vấn đề quan điểm. (The difference is merely a matter of perspective.)

• "chẳng qua thì...": when it comes down to it, in the end...

  • Used to summarize or reveal the fundamental, often simple, reason or reality.
  • Chẳng qua thì anh ta cũng chỉ là một đứa trẻ. (When it comes down to it, he's just a child.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chỉ là: is only, is just. (A more common and direct synonym.)
• Đơn giản là: simply is. (Emphasizes simplicity.)
• Thực ra thì: actually, in fact. (Used to introduce a contrasting or clarifying truth, which can sometimes overlap with the explanatory function of "chẳng qua".)

Synonyms

• Chỉ: only, just.
• Đơn thuần là: is purely, is merely.
• Cũng chỉ là: is also only.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Chẳng qua nói cho vậy": It's just talk / Just saying it for the sake of it.

  • Used to indicate that what was said shouldn't be taken too seriously.
  • Đừng lo, anh ấy nói thế chẳng qua nói cho vậy thôi. (Don't worry, he said that just for the sake of saying it.)

• "Chẳng qua mình giúp đỡ lẫn nhau": We're just helping each other out, that's all.

  • A humble way to downplay a favor or act of kindness.

1. Only, just, that is all there is to it
   • chẳng qua là một lời nói đùa
     it was only a joke, it was a joke, that was all there was to it
   • chẳng qua vì không hiểu nên mới làm sai
     it was only because he did not understand that he did it wrong