phải chăng
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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.)