Definition

1. Conjunction (colloquial):
   • It is because / The thing is that: Used to introduce an explanatory reason or clarifying background information, often for a situation that may not be obvious to the listener. It softens the explanation and is common in spoken Vietnamese.

Usage Examples

• Conjunction:
  • Chả là mấy hôm nay chị ấy ốm, nên chị ấy mới nghỉ. (It is because she has been ill these last few days that she has not been at work.)
  • Anh ấy chả là người quen mà! (Isn't it because he is an acquaintance! / The thing is, he's an acquaintance!)
  • Tôi đến muộn, chả là xe tôi bị hỏng giữa đường. (I was late; it's because my car broke down on the way.)

Advanced Usage

• Introductory Phrase: "Chả là" typically begins a clause that provides the core reason. It often appears in responses to implicit or explicit questions.
  • "Sao trông cậu mệt thế?" - "Chả là tôi thức khuya học bài." ("Why do you look so tired?" - "It's because I stayed up late studying.")

Variants and Related Words

• Bởi vì / Tại vì: Conjunctions meaning "because." These are more standard and formal than the colloquial "chả là."
• Là vì: A phrase meaning "is because," similar in explanatory function but slightly less colloquial than "chả là."

Synonyms

• The reason is that
• It's just that
• You see, (it's because)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Chả là... nên...: A common correlative structure: "Chả là [reason], nên [result]." (It is because [reason], so [result].)
  • Chả là trời mưa to, nên buổi picnic bị hoãn. (It is because it rained heavily that the picnic was postponed.)

1. (khẩu ngữ) It is because
   • chả là mấy hôm nay chị ấy ốm, nên chị ấy mới nghỉ
     it is because she has been ill these last few days that she has not been at work
   • anh ấy chả là người quen mà!
     isn't it because he is an acquaintance!