mà thôi

Tôi chỉ muốn một ly nước mà thôi.

Definition

1. Phrase (Final Particle):
   • Only / Just / That's all: Used at the end of a sentence to limit the scope of a statement, emphasizing that nothing more, less, or different is involved. It softens the statement, often implying modesty, resignation, or a simple, exclusive fact.
   • Merely / Simply: Indicates that the preceding information is the sole or primary consideration, minimizing its importance or extent.

Usage Examples

• Phrase:
  • Tôi chỉ muốn giúp đỡ mà thôi. (I just want to help, that's all.)
  • Chúng tôi còn năm phút mà thôi. (We have only five minutes left.)
  • Đó chỉ là ý kiến cá nhân của tôi mà thôi. (That is merely my personal opinion.)
  • Cô ấy cười, không nói gì mà thôi. (She smiled, saying nothing at all.)

Advanced Usage

• Contrastive Limitation: Often used after a clause with "chỉ" (only) or "chẳng qua" (it's just that) to reinforce the limitation, contrasting what is with what is not.
  • Anh ấy không giận, chỉ là mệt mà thôi. (He's not angry, he's just tired.)
• Softening a Statement: Makes a definitive statement sound less blunt or absolute.
  • Tôi đề nghị thế mà thôi. (I merely suggest that.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thôi: Can function alone as an interjection meaning "stop" or "enough," or as a particle suggesting something is concluded. "Mà thôi" combines the connective "mà" (but, that) with "thôi" to form a limiting final particle.
• Chỉ ... mà thôi: A common correlative structure meaning "only... and that's all."
  • Tôi chỉ biết có thế mà thôi. (I only know that much, and that's all.)

Synonyms

• Only: Used to indicate exclusivity.
• Just: Serves to limit or minimize.
• Simply: In the sense of "merely."
• That's all: A direct translation of the phrase's function.

Related Idioms

• Chỉ có vậy mà thôi: That's all there is to it; It's just that simple.
  • Công thức rất dễ, chỉ có vậy mà thôi. (The recipe is very easy; that's all there is to it.)
• Chẳng qua ... mà thôi: It's just that...; It's merely...
  • Chẳng qua tôi lo lắng cho cậu mà thôi. (It's just that I'm worried about you, that's all.)