Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Reasonable, sensible, fair: Describes something that is appropriate, logical, or acceptable in terms of price, behavior, or judgment.
   • Moderate, not excessive: Refers to something that is at an average or acceptable level, neither too high nor too low.

2. Particle (used at the beginning of a sentence):

   • Is it that...?, Could it be that...?: Used to form a rhetorical question, often expressing doubt, surprise, or seeking confirmation about a possibility.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Giá cả ở cửa hàng này rất phải chăng. (The prices at this store are very reasonable.)
  • Anh ấy là một người phải chăng, luôn biết lắng nghe. (He is a sensible person who always knows how to listen.)
  • Mức lương đó là hoàn toàn phải chăng cho công việc. (That salary is completely fair for the job.)

• Particle:

  • Phải chăng tôi đã nhầm đường? (Could it be that I took the wrong road?)
  • Phải chăng hôm nay là sinh nhật cô ấy? (Is it that today is her birthday?)
  • Phải chăng anh chưa nhận được thư của tôi? (Is it that you haven't received my letter?)

Advanced Usage

• "Phải chăng" as a contemplative question starter: Often used in written Vietnamese or formal speech to introduce a reflective or doubtful question. It implies the speaker is considering a possibility.
  • Phải chăng chúng ta nên suy nghĩ lại về quyết định này? (Is it that we should reconsider this decision?)

Variants and Related Words

• Hợp lý (adj): Rational, logical. A close synonym when "phải chăng" is used as an adjective meaning "reasonable".
  • Kế hoạch này nghe có vẻ hợp lý. (This plan sounds logical.)
• Phải (adj): Right, correct. Shares the root meaning of correctness.
• Chăng (particle): An interrogative particle, often used in literary Vietnamese to form questions. It is the second component of "phải chăng".

Synonyms

• Hợp lý: Logical, rational (for the adjective meaning).
• Công bằng: Fair, just (for the adjective meaning).
• Vừa phải: Moderate, appropriate (for the adjective meaning).
• Có phải là... không?: Is it...? (for the interrogative particle meaning).

Related Phrases

• Giá cả phải chăng: Reasonable price. This is a very common collocation.
  • Chúng tôi tìm một khách sạn với giá cả phải chăng. (We are looking for a hotel at a reasonable price.)
• Con người phải chăng: A reasonable/sensible person.

Related Idioms

• Biết điều phải chăng: To know what is right and wrong; to be reasonable and understanding.
  • Là người lớn, anh phải biết điều phải chăng. (As an adult, you must know what's right and wrong / be reasonable.)

adj

1. right and wrong. reasonable, sensible