Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Rather, better: Used to express a strong preference for one option over another, often implying that the chosen option is less undesirable or more acceptable than the alternative, even if it is still not ideal.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Thà chết còn hơn làm nô lệ. (Better to die than to live as a slave.)
  • Thà tôi đi bộ còn hơn ngồi xe máy với anh ấy. (I'd rather walk than ride on his motorbike.)
  • Thà mất tiền còn hơn mất lòng tin. (It's better to lose money than to lose trust.)

Advanced Usage

• "Thà là..." (It's better that.../I'd rather that...): Used to introduce the preferred option more formally.
  • Thà là chúng ta nên nói chuyện trực tiếp. (It's better that we talk directly.)
• "Thà rằng..." (Would that.../Better that...): A slightly more literary variant with the same meaning.
  • Thà rằng tôi chưa bao giờ gặp cô ấy. (Would that I had never met her.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thà rằng (conjunction): Synonymous with "thà là," used to introduce the preferred clause.
• Đành (verb): To resign oneself to, to accept reluctantly. Often used in a similar context of choosing between undesirable options (e.g., - "I'll have to accept that, it's better than nothing").

Synonyms

• Nên (should/ought to): Suggests a recommendation, but lacks the comparative "rather than" contrast of thà.
• Tốt hơn là (it's better to): A more explicit comparative phrase similar in meaning.

Related Phrases

• Thà... còn hơn...: The most common correlative structure, meaning "Rather/Better... than...".
  • Thà im lặng còn hơn nói sai. (Better to remain silent than to speak incorrectly.)
• Thà... chứ/ chứ không...: A stronger, more emphatic structure meaning "Rather... than absolutely not...".
  • Thà nghèo mà vui chứ không giàu mà cô đơn. (I'd rather be poor and happy than rich and lonely.)
• Thà như thế còn hơn: "That's still better than..." or "I'd rather have it that way than...". Used when referencing a previously mentioned alternative.
  • Làm xong sớm dù mệt? Thà như thế còn hơn bị trễ hạn. (Finish early even if tired? That's still better than missing the deadline.)

Related Idioms

• Thà chậm còn hơn không: Equivalent to "Better late than never."
• Thà đốt lò hương cũ, còn hơn trên mâm cao đĩa đầy: A proverb meaning "Better the old, simple, and sincere ways than new, lavish, but insincere ones." (Literally: Better to burn the old incense burner than to have a high tray full of dishes.)

adv

1. rather, better