Definition

1. Adverb (Interrogative Particle):

   • Surely?; Isn't it?; Is it?; Doesn't it?; Does it?: Used at the end of a sentence to form a yes-no question, often with a rhetorical or contemplative tone, seeking confirmation or expressing doubt. It is the literary or poetic equivalent of the more common "có ... không?" structure.
   • Or not?: Used to pose a simple alternative question.

2. Adverb (Negative Particle):

   • Not any; Not: An archaic or literary negative particle, often used in fixed expressions or classical poetry. It is equivalent to "chẳng" or "không".

3. Verb:

   • To stretch out; to string up; to set (a trap/net): A variant of the verb "giăng", meaning to extend something like a net, rope, or trap by fixing its ends.

Usage Examples

• Adverb (Interrogative):

  • Việc ấy nên chăng? (Should we do that or not? / Is it advisable to do that?)
  • Chậm rồi chăng? (Is it too late, perhaps?)
  • Thuyền ơi, có nhớ bến chăng? (Oh boat, do you remember the wharf?)

• Adverb (Negative):

  • Nghe lõm câu được câu chăng. (To overhear one sentence and not [hear] the other.)
  • Dẫu chăng xét tấm tình si... (Even if you do not consider this passionate heart...)

• Verb:

  • Chăng lưới đánh cá. (To set out a fishing net.)
  • Chăng bẫy chuột. (To set a mousetrap.)

Advanced Usage

• "chăng hay chớ": An archaic phrase meaning "haphazardly", "at random", or "come what may".
  • Làm việc chăng hay chớ. (To work haphazardly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chẳng (adv): The more common form of the negative particle "not". "Chăng" is often its literary or poetic variant.
• Giăng (v): The standard verb for "to stretch out, to string up". "Chăng" is a less common variant.

Synonyms

• Interrogative: Is it?; Isn't it?; Or not?; Whether.
• Negative: Not; None.
• Verb: To stretch; to extend; to deploy.

Related Idioms

• Chăng is frequently found in classical Vietnamese poetry (ca dao, thơ) and literary works to form lyrical, reflective questions or negatives.
  • Nhớ ai, ai có nhớ mình chăng ai? (I remember someone, does that someone remember me or not?)

verb

1. như giăng

adv

1. Not any
   • nghe lõm câu được câu chăng
     to overhear one sentence and not the other, to overhear every other sentence

từ đệm

1. Surely; isn't it, is it, doesn't it, does it.
   • chậm rồi chăng
     is it late, surely
   • việc ấy nên chăng?
     we should do that, shoudn't we?
   • Nước non một gánh chung tình Nhớ ai, ai có nhớ mình chăng
     ai? the whole land is pervaded with our constant love, I think of him, and he does of me, doesn't he?