dầu sao
Definition
- Conjunction/Adverbial phrase:
- Anyway, nevertheless, in any case: Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or qualifies a previous statement, or to emphasize a point regardless of other considerations. It expresses concession or a final, summarizing thought.
Usage Examples
- Introducing a contrasting or concluding point:
- Công việc khó khăn, nhưng dầu sao chúng ta cũng phải cố gắng hoàn thành. (The work is difficult, but anyway we must try to complete it.)
- Anh ấy có thể đến trễ; dầu sao thì chúng ta vẫn cứ bắt đầu trước đi. (He might be late; in any case, let's start without him.)
- Emphasizing a main point despite other factors:
- Dự án có nhiều rủi ro, dầu sao đây vẫn là một cơ hội tốt. (The project has many risks; nevertheless, this is still a good opportunity.)
Advanced Usage
- "Dầu sao đi nữa" / "Dầu sao chăng nữa": An even stronger form meaning "no matter what", "be that as it may", or "in any event".
- Dầu sao đi nữa, tôi vẫn tin anh. (Be that as it may, I still trust you.)
- Used to soften a statement or opinion, making it sound less absolute.
- Dầu sao, đó cũng chỉ là ý kiến cá nhân của tôi. (Anyway, that's just my personal opinion.)
Variants and Related Words
- Dù sao: The more common modern variant, identical in meaning and usage to "dầu sao".
- Dù sao thì mọi chuyện cũng đã qua rồi. (Anyway, everything is in the past now.)
- Tuy nhiên: However (more formal, used primarily for contrast).
- Dẫu sao: A literary variant with the same meaning.
Synonyms
- Tuy vậy: However, nevertheless.
- Dù gì: Whatever the case, anyway (more colloquial).
- Trong mọi trường hợp: In any case.
Notes on Usage
- "Dầu sao" is often used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to signal a shift or to present a concluding viewpoint.
- It can be used interchangeably with "dù sao" in modern Vietnamese, though "dù sao" is more frequent in everyday speech.
- It functions to connect ideas, showing that the following statement is valid despite previous circumstances or arguments.
-
như dù sao
