Definition

1. Conjunction:
   • If not, otherwise, or else: Used to express a negative consequence that will likely occur if the preceding action is not taken. It serves as a warning or an urgent suggestion to avoid an undesirable outcome.

Usage Examples

• Conjunction:
  • Nhanh lên kẻo nữa trễ chuyến xe lửa. (Hurry up, or else we'll miss the train.)
  • Mặc áo ấm vào kẻo nữa bị cảm lạnh. (Put on a warm coat, otherwise you might catch a cold.)
  • Hãy học bài đi kẻo nữa thi không đỗ. (You should study, or else you won't pass the exam.)

Advanced Usage

• "kẻo nữa" as a warning: Often used in imperative sentences to strongly advise an action to prevent a specific bad result.
  • Đừng ra ngoài kẻo nữa mưa. (Don't go out, or else you'll get caught in the rain.)
• Implied urgency: The phrase carries a sense of immediacy and concern from the speaker.
  • Con ăn đi kẻo nữa đói. (Eat, child, or else you'll be hungry.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kẻo: A shorter, more common variant with the same meaning ("or else", "lest"). It is often interchangeable with "kẻo nữa" in many contexts.
  • Đi sớm kẻo muộn. (Leave early so you won't be late.)
• Kẻo rồi: A variant with identical meaning and usage to "kẻo nữa".
  • Cẩn thận kẻo rồi ngã. (Be careful, or else you'll fall.)

Synonyms

• Nếu không: If not. (Note: "Nếu không" is more neutral and general, while "kẻo nữa" implies a more direct, negative consequence.)
• Bằng không: Otherwise, or else. (Similar in meaning but can sound slightly more formal than "kẻo nữa".)

Related Phrases

• Kẻo mà: A colloquial variant with the same function as "kẻo nữa".
  • Nói nhỏ thôi kẻo mà họ nghe thấy. (Speak softly, or else they might hear us.)

Related Idioms

• Ăn kẻo nữa đói: An illustrative phrase meaning "Eat now, or else you'll be hungry later." It exemplifies the typical structure and urgency of the conjunction.

1. If not as a result, if not eventually
   • Nhanh lên kẻo nữa trễ chuyến xe lửa
     Hurry up, If not we shall eventually miss our train