Definition

1. Adverbial phrase:
   • As if nothing had happened: Used to describe an action performed with such ease, nonchalance, or lack of visible effort that it seems like a normal, effortless, or insignificant event.
   • As if it were nothing: Indicates that something is done so easily or is of such little consequence that it is treated as trivial or routine.

Usage Examples

• Adverbial phrase:
  • Anh ấy nâng năm mươi cân như không. (He lifts fifty kilos as if it were nothing.)
  • Sau cuộc cãi vã lớn, họ chào nhau như không. (After the big argument, they greeted each other as if nothing had happened.)
  • Cô ấy giải bài toán khó như không. (She solved the difficult math problem effortlessly.)

Advanced Usage

• "bình thản như không": to remain calm and placid as if nothing is wrong.

  • Dù gặp khó khăn, anh ấy vẫn bình thản như không. (Despite facing difficulties, he remains calm as if nothing is wrong.)

• "...mà... như không": a structure contrasting a significant action/state with its effortless execution.

  • Làm việc cả ngày mà vẫn đọc sách đến khuya như không. (Working all day but still reading books late into the night as if it were nothing.)

Variants and Related Words

• Như không có chuyện gì: A longer, more explicit form meaning "as if nothing happened."

  • Cô ấy bước vào phòng, mặt tươi cười như không có chuyện gì. (She walked into the room, smiling as if nothing had happened.)

• Tự nhiên như không: Naturally, as a matter of course.

  • Anh ấy giúp đỡ mọi người một cách tự nhiên như không. (He helps people naturally, as a matter of course.)

Synonyms

• Dễ dàng: Easily.
• Thản nhiên: Nonchalantly, calmly.
• Tự nhiên: Naturally.

Related Phrases

• Làm như không: To act as if something didn't happen/to ignore.
  • Cô ấy thấy tôi nhưng làm như không. (She saw me but acted as if she didn't.)

Related Idioms

• Nhẹ như không: (Literally: light as nothing) Extremely light; of little weight or consequence.

  • Chiếc túi này nhẹ như không. (This bag is light as a feather.)

• Xem thường như không: To regard/disdain as nothing.

  • Hắn xem thường nguy hiểm như không. (He scorns danger as if it were nothing.)

1. As if nothing had happened
   • Nâng năm mươi cân như không
     To lift fifty kilos as if nothing had happened