Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Unfortunately; unluckily: Used to express that something undesirable or unfortunate has happened by chance or bad luck. It introduces an unfortunate event or circumstance.
   • As it (unfortunately) happened; by some misfortune: Functions as a conjunctive adverb to link a statement with an unexpected and adverse outcome.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Chúng tôi định đi picnic, chẳng may trời lại mưa. (We planned to go on a picnic, unfortunately it rained.)
  • Chẳng may tôi làm mất chìa khóa. (Unfortunately, I lost the keys.)
  • Anh ấy đến tìm cô ấy, chẳng may cô ấy đã về quê. (He went to see her, but as luck would have it, she had gone back to her hometown.)

Advanced Usage

• Used at the beginning of a clause or sentence to set a tone of regret or misfortune about the following information. It is similar to "tiếc là" (it's a pity that) but often implies an element of chance or accident.
• Can be used in formal and informal contexts to soften the announcement of bad news.

Variants and Related Words

• Không may: A very close synonym, also meaning "unfortunately."
  • Không may chuyến tàu đã khởi hành. (Unfortunately, the train had departed.)
• Rủi ro (n): Risk, the noun form related to the concept of misfortune.
• Xui xẻo (adj/adv): Colloquial for "unlucky" or "unluckily."

Synonyms

• Unfortunately: Used to express regret about a situation.
• Unluckily: By bad luck.
• As ill luck would have it: A more idiomatic equivalent.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Chẳng may mà...: An emphatic structure, "If unfortunately...".
  • Chẳng may mà ốm, anh phải nghỉ làm ngay. (If you should unfortunately fall ill, you must stop working immediately.)
• Phòng khi chẳng may: A phrase meaning "just in case" (something bad happens).
  • Mang theo ô phòng khi chẳng may mưa. (Bring an umbrella just in case it rains.)

1. Unfortunately