mà lại

mà lại

Anh ấy giàu có mà lại rất tiết kiệm.

Definition

  1. Conjunction:

    • But also / yet also: Used to connect two clauses, introducing an additional, often contrasting or surprising, fact that intensifies or contradicts the first statement. It emphasizes an unexpected combination or outcome.
    • And yet / however: Indicates a strong contrast or contradiction between two ideas, similar to "yet" or "however," but with a nuance of added emphasis on the second point.

  2. Adverbial Particle:

    • [Used for emphasis]: Placed at the end of a sentence to strongly affirm or emphasize a statement, often implying "indeed," "really," or "you see?" It reinforces the speaker's point, sometimes with a tone of insistence or reminder.
Usage Examples

  • Conjunction:

    • Nó giàu mà lại keo kiệt. (He is rich but also stingy.)
    • Tôi đã giải thích cẩn thận mà lại không ai hiểu. (I explained carefully, and yet no one understood.)
    • Cô ấy không những thông minh mà lại rất chăm chỉ. (She is not only intelligent but also very hardworking.)

  • Adverbial Particle:

    • Anh phải cố gắng mà lại! (You really must try harder, you see!)
    • Thế là đúng mà lại! (That is correct, indeed!)
Advanced Usage

  • The conjunction "mà lại" often follows structures like "không những" (not only) to form "không những... mà lại..." (not only... but also...), emphasizing the addition of a significant, sometimes surprising, quality.

    • Cậu bé không những biết xin lỗi mà lại còn biết sửa sai. (The boy not only knows how to apologize but also knows how to make amends.)

  • When used as a final particle, "mà lại" is common in spoken Vietnamese for persuasion, admonishment, or strong affirmation, adding emotional weight to the sentence.

Variants and Related Words
  • Mà: A more general conjunction meaning "but," "that," or "which." "Mà lại" is a strengthened, more emphatic form.
  • Thế mà: A similar contrasting phrase meaning "yet," "but still."
    • Tôi tin anh, thế mà anh lại lừa tôi. (I trusted you, yet you deceived me.)
Synonyms
  • Conjunction: But also, yet, however, nevertheless.
  • Adverbial Particle: Indeed, really, for emphasis.
Related Idioms and Patterns

  • Không những/chẳng những... mà lại...: Not only... but also...

    • Cô ấy chẳng những hát hay mà lại múa đẹp. (She not only sings well but also dances beautifully.)

  • Đã... mà lại...: Already... and yet also... (Used to list compounding negative traits).

    • Đã chậm mà lại còn cẩu thả. (Already slow and yet also careless.)

Proverbs and Idioms