chứ sao
Definition
- Particle (Thán từ/Trợ từ):
- "Of course!", "Why not?", "Obviously!": A rhetorical particle used to strongly affirm a preceding statement, implying that the fact or action is obvious, natural, or unquestionable. It often carries a tone of emphasis, confidence, or slight defiance.
- "What else?": Used to rhetorically question any alternative, suggesting that the stated option is the only logical or possible one.
Usage Examples
- Affirming an obvious fact or intention:
- Tôi sẽ giúp bạn, chứ sao? (I will help you, of course!)
- Anh ấy là người chiến thắng, chứ sao? (He is the winner, obviously!)
- Expressing a natural or inevitable consequence:
- Làm việc chăm chỉ thì sẽ thành công, chứ sao? (If you work hard, you will succeed, naturally!)
- Responding with confident agreement or acceptance:
- "Cậu có dám nhảy không?" – "Dám, chứ sao!" ("Do you dare to jump?" – "I dare, why not!")
Advanced Usage
- "Chứ sao nữa": An even more emphatic variant, often used in spoken language.
- Tôi đồng ý, chứ sao nữa! (I agree, what of it! / I agree, and so what!)
- Used to challenge a doubt or assumption implicitly.
- Tôi mua được cái xe đó, chứ sao? (I can buy that car, why wouldn't I?)
Variants and Related Words
- Dĩ nhiên (adv): Of course, naturally. (More neutral in tone.)
- Đương nhiên (adv): Obviously, certainly. (Formal equivalent.)
- Còn gì nữa: What else? (Similar rhetorical question function.)
- Chứ (particle): But, or else. The core particle, often used in questions or to present a contrast. "Chứ sao" strengthens "chứ".
Synonyms
- Tất nhiên: Certainly, of course.
- Hiển nhiên: Obviously, evidently.
- Còn nói: "Needless to say" (informal).
Related Phrases
- Chứ không (phải) ... sao?: A common question structure meaning "Isn't it...?" or "Otherwise, what is it?".
- Đây là nhà của cô ấy, chứ không phải sao? (This is her house, isn't it?)
- Vậy chứ sao?: So, what of it? (A defensive or challenging retort.)
- "Anh đã làm hỏng nó." – "Vậy chứ sao?" ("You broke it." – "So what?")
Related Idioms
- Dám làm thì dám chịu, chứ sao: If you dare to do it, you must dare to face the consequences, obviously. (Emphasizes responsibility.)
- Đã nói là làm, chứ sao: I said I would do it, and I will, of course. (Emphasizes keeping one's word.)