Definition

1. Conjunction:
   • If, supposing that, assuming that: Used to introduce a hypothetical situation or condition, often for the purpose of reasoning, explaining, or considering a possibility. It is equivalent to "giả sử".

Usage Examples

• Conjunction:
  • Giả như trời mưa, chúng ta sẽ ở nhà. (If it rains, we will stay at home.)
  • Giả như tôi có nhiều tiền, tôi sẽ đi du lịch vòng quanh thế giới. (Supposing that I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.)
  • Anh ấy hỏi, giả như kế hoạch đó thất bại thì sao. (He asked, assuming that plan fails, then what?)

Advanced Usage

• "Giả như... thì...": A common correlative structure meaning "If/Suposing... then...". It sets up a condition and its hypothetical consequence.

  • Giả như cô ấy đồng ý thì mọi chuyện đã khác. (If she had agreed, then everything would have been different.)

• Used in formal or logical reasoning to present a premise.

  • Giả như A bằng B, và B bằng C, vậy thì A bằng C. (Assuming A equals B, and B equals C, then A equals C.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giả sử (conjunction): Supposing that, if. A direct synonym.

  • Giả sử bạn là tôi, bạn sẽ làm gì? (Supposing you were me, what would you do?)

• Nếu (conjunction): If. A more common and general conditional conjunction.

• Phỏng như (conjunction, literary): Similar to "giả như", but less common in modern spoken Vietnamese.

Synonyms

• Nếu: If.
• Giả sử: Supposing that.
• Phỏng như: As if, supposing (literary).
• Giá như: If only (often expresses a wish about an unreal past situation).

Notes on Different Meanings

• "Giả như" vs. "Giá như": While both introduce hypotheticals, "giá như" is typically used to express a regretful wish about a past situation that did not happen (equivalent to "if only"). "Giả như" is more neutral and used for general hypothetical reasoning.
  • Giá như hôm qua tôi học bài. (If only I had studied yesterday.) [Expresses regret]
  • Giả như hôm qua tôi học bài, tôi đã đỗ. (If I had studied yesterday, I would have passed.) [States a logical condition]

1. như giả sử