Definition

Adverb: - Only, solely, merely: Used to indicate exclusivity, limitation, or that something is the single or most important factor. It emphasizes that nothing else is involved or considered. - Save that; except that: Used in a concessive or contrasting sense to introduce a sole exception or reservation to a previous statement.

Usage Examples

• Adverb (Only/Solely):
  • Duy anh ấy biết sự thật. (Only he knows the truth.)
  • Tôi duy trông cậy vào bạn. (I rely solely on you.)
• Adverb (Save that/Except that):
  • Mọi thứ đều ổn, duy chi phí là hơi cao. (Everything is fine, save that the cost is a bit high.)
  • Cô ấy đồng ý với tất cả, duy điều khoản cuối cùng là không. (She agreed to everything, except that the final clause was not.)

Advanced Usage

• "Duy nhất": This is a common compound meaning "unique," "sole," or "only one." It intensifies the sense of exclusivity.
  • Đây là bản duy nhất còn sót lại. (This is the sole surviving copy.)
• "Duy lý": A compound term meaning "rationalistic," referring to a philosophy or approach based solely on reason.
  • Chủ nghĩa duy lý. (Rationalism.)
• "Duy tâm": A compound term meaning "idealistic" (in philosophy).
  • Triết học duy tâm. (Idealist philosophy.)
• "Duy vật": A compound term meaning "materialistic" (in philosophy).
  • Chủ nghĩa duy vật. (Materialism.)

Variants and Related Words

• Duy trì (verb): To maintain, to preserve. (Note: This is a separate compound verb).
  • Chúng ta cần duy trì truyền thống này. (We need to maintain this tradition.)
• Duyên (noun): A different word meaning "fate," "charm," or "grace."
• Độc nhất vô nhị (idiom): A synonym for "duy nhất" meaning "one of a kind," "unique."

Synonyms

• Chỉ: Only, just. (More common in everyday speech).
• Độc nhất: Sole, only one.
• Ngoại trừ: Except for. (For the concessive sense).

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Duy ngã độc tôn: An idiom meaning "only I am supreme," expressing extreme arrogance or exclusivity.
• Duy... là...: A structure to emphasize the sole element: "The only thing that... is..."
  • Duy cô ấy là hiểu tôi. (She is the only one who understands me.)

adv

1. save that; except that