thế mà

Người thất nghiệp đã nhiều, thế mà tư bản còn giãn thợ.

Definition

1. Conjunction:
   • Yet / but / however: A conjunction used to connect two clauses, introducing a contrast or an unexpected result that contradicts the expectation set by the first clause. It expresses a meaning similar to "and yet" or "but nevertheless."

Usage Examples

• Conjunction:
  • Cô ta khá xấu thế mà lại rất có duyên. (She is quite ugly, yet she is very charming.)
  • Người thất nghiệp đã nhiều, thế mà tư bản còn giãn thợ. (There were already many unemployed people, yet the capitalists were still laying off workers.)
  • Trời mưa to thế mà anh ấy vẫn đi làm. (It was raining heavily, but he still went to work.)

Advanced Usage

• Emphatic Contrast: "Thế mà" can be used at the beginning of a sentence for a stronger, more conversational contrast, often translating to "And yet,..." or "But still,..."
  • Thế mà nó vẫn không chịu nghe lời. (And yet, he still refused to listen.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thế nhưng (conj): but, however. A slightly more formal synonym.

  • Tôi đã giải thích rõ, thế nhưng anh ta không hiểu. (I explained clearly, but he didn't understand.)

• Vậy mà (conj): yet, but. A common variant with identical meaning and usage to "thế mà."

  • Nó hứa chắc chắn vậy mà lại không đến. (He promised for sure, yet he didn't come.)

Synonyms

• Yet: used to introduce a contrasting idea.
• But: used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned.
• However: in spite of that; nevertheless.
• Nevertheless: in spite of that; notwithstanding; all the same.

Related Idioms

• "Thế mà đấy": A common spoken phrase used to conclude a statement of contrast, emphasizing the surprising or ironic outcome. It translates to "And that's how it is" or "See?"
  • Tưởng dễ, thế mà làm mãi không xong. Thế mà đấy! (I thought it was easy, but I couldn't finish it no matter how long I tried. See?)