họa chăng
Definition
- Conjunction:
- Unless; perhaps only if; maybe only then: Used to introduce a highly conditional, often negative or pessimistic, possibility. It suggests that a stated outcome might occur only under very specific and unlikely circumstances.
Usage Examples
- Conjunction:
- Anh ta sẽ không đồng ý, họa chăng chúng ta trả giá cao hơn. (He will not agree, unless perhaps we offer a higher price.)
- Cô ấy khó lòng đến được, họa chăng có ai đó đưa đón. (It's hard for her to come, unless maybe someone gives her a ride.)
- Việc này không thể hoàn thành đúng hạn, họa chăng mọi người làm thêm giờ. (This cannot be finished on time, unless perhaps everyone works overtime.)
Advanced Usage
- "Họa chăng là...": Used to start a sentence, emphasizing the remote nature of the condition.
- Họa chăng là trời không mưa, thì chúng tôi mới đi dã ngoại. (Unless it doesn't rain, then we might go on the picnic. / The only way we go on the picnic is if it doesn't rain.)
Variants and Related Words
- Trừ phi (conj): Unless. A more direct and common synonym.
- Trừ khi (conj): Unless. Functionally identical to "trừ phi".
Synonyms
- Unless: Except on the condition that.
- Perhaps only if: Introducing a remote condition.
- Maybe only then: Suggesting a slim possibility.
Related Idioms
- Họa chăng mới...: An emphatic structure reinforcing the "only maybe" sense.
- Họa chăng mới có người giải được bài toán này. (Only maybe would someone solve this math problem.)
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Unless
