Definition

1. Adverb:
   • As if; as though; seemingly: Used to express a comparison or resemblance, indicating that something appears to be a certain way or gives the impression of being true, often when it might not be exactly so.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Anh ấy im lặng tự hồ không nghe thấy câu hỏi. (He remained silent as if he didn't hear the question.)
  • Cô ấy cười tự hồ không có chuyện gì buồn. (She smiled as though nothing sad had happened.)
  • Căn phòng trống trải tự hồ chẳng ai ở đây cả. (The room was empty, seemingly no one was here at all.)

Advanced Usage

• "tự hồ như": This is a very common and slightly more emphatic form, meaning "just as if; exactly like".
  • Cô ấy hành động tự hồ như mình là chủ nhân. (She acts just as if she is the owner.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tựa hồ (adv): An older or more literary variant with the same meaning as "tự hồ".
  • Bóng anh ấy tựa hồ một vị hiệp sĩ. (His silhouette resembled that of a knight.)

Synonyms

• Như thể: as if.
• Giống như: similar to, like.
• Dường như: it seems, apparently.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Làm bộ làm tịch tự hồ...: To put on an act as if...
  • Nó làm bộ làm tịch tự hồ nó rất ngạc nhiên. (He put on an act as if he was very surprised.)