miễn sao
Definition
- Conjunction:
- As long as / provided that / so long as: Used to introduce the one necessary condition that makes something else possible or acceptable. It expresses that if a specific requirement is met, the main statement holds true.
- The main thing is that: Used to emphasize that only one particular condition or outcome is important, while other details are less significant.
Usage Examples
- Conjunction:
- Bạn có thể về sớm, miễn sao hoàn thành công việc. (You can leave early, as long as you finish your work.)
- Tôi không quan tâm phương pháp nào, miễn sao kết quả cuối cùng là tốt. (I don't care about the method, the main thing is that the final result is good.)
- Miễn sao con khỏe mạnh là bố mẹ vui rồi. (Provided that our child is healthy, we parents are happy.)
Advanced Usage
- "miễn sao" vs. "miễn là": These phrases are largely interchangeable and synonymous, both meaning "as long as." "Miễn sao" can sometimes feel slightly more conversational.
- Anh ấy có thể sử dụng phòng, miễn sao / miễn là giữ gìn sạch sẽ. (He can use the room, as long as he keeps it clean.)
Variants and Related Words
- Miễn là (conj): As long as, provided that. The most direct synonym.
- Tôi sẽ đi, miễn là trời không mưa. (I will go, as long as it doesn't rain.)
Synonyms
- As long as: On the condition that.
- Provided that: If and only if.
- So long as: With the sole condition that.
- The main condition is that: The only important requirement is.
Related Idioms
- Được, miễn sao...: Okay, as long as... (A common conversational structure to agree with a condition.)
- "Con có thể đi chơi tối nay không?" – "Được, miễn sao con về trước 10 giờ." ("Can I go out tonight?" – "Okay, as long as you're back before 10.")