Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Not at all; not in the least; not one bit: A strong negation used to completely deny or negate an action, state, or existence. It is often more emphatic than "không".
   • Rather; but in fact; actually: Used to introduce a contrasting fact or to correct a mistaken assumption, often in the structure "ngỡ là... chẳng hoá ra là...".

Usage Examples

• Adverb (Negation):

  • Tôi chẳng biết gì cả. (I don't know anything at all.)
  • Nó chẳng quan tâm. (He/She doesn't care one bit.)
  • Chẳng có ai ở nhà. (There is absolutely nobody at home.)

• Adverb (Contrasting fact):

  • Ngỡ là khó, chẳng dễ ợt. (Thought it was difficult, but it turned out to be incredibly easy.)
  • Tưởng đã mất, chẳng vẫn còn đây. (Thought it was lost, but in fact it's still right here.)

Advanced Usage

• "chẳng qua (là)": It's just that; merely; only. Used to downplay the importance or reason for something.

  • Anh ấy giận chẳng qua là vì lo lắng cho em. (He's angry, but it's just because he's worried about you.)

• "chẳng hạn (như)": For example; for instance. Used to introduce an example.

  • Anh thích nhiều môn thể thao, chẳng hạn như bóng đá và bơi lội. (I like many sports, for example, soccer and swimming.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chẳng những... mà còn... (conjunction): Not only... but also...

  • Cô ấy chẳng những thông minh mà còn rất chăm chỉ. (She is not only intelligent but also very hardworking.)

• Chẳng bao giờ (adverbial phrase): Never.

  • Tôi chẳng bao giờ quên ngày đó. (I will never forget that day.)

• Chẳng may (adverb): Unfortunately; if unfortunately.

  • Chẳng may trời mưa, chúng ta sẽ hoãn chuyến đi. (If it unfortunately rains, we will postpone the trip.)

Synonyms

• Not at all: Không (less emphatic), tuyệt nhiên không.
• But in fact: Thực ra, nhưng thực tế là.

Related Idioms and Patterns

• Chẳng ăn thua gì: To be useless; to make no difference.

  • Nói thế chẳng ăn thua gì. (Saying that is useless / doesn't change anything.)

• Chẳng ra gì: To be worthless; good-for-nothing; or to be in a sorry state.

  • Đồ chẳng ra gì! (You good-for-nothing!)
  • Căn phòng trông chẳng ra gì. (The room looks terrible / is in a sorry state.)

• Chẳng nên cơm cháo gì: To come to nothing; to be unfruitful.

  • Cuộc thảo luận chẳng nên cơm cháo gì. (The discussion came to nothing.)

adv

1. Not at all
   • một người làm chẳng nổi
     one person cannot do that at all
   • thực tế đã chẳng chứng minh điều đó sao?
     hasn't reality demonstrated that at all?
   • từ đệm
     Rather, but in fact, not necessarily
   • ngỡ là ai, chẳng hoá ra là anh
     thought that it was some stranger, but in fact it turned out to be you!