trái lại
Definition
Conjunction / Transitional phrase:
- On the contrary; Conversely: Used to introduce a statement, idea, or fact that is opposite or in stark contrast to what was just mentioned. It signals a direct opposition or reversal of the preceding point.
- However; On the other hand: Used to introduce a contrasting viewpoint or a different side of an argument, often to balance or contradict the previous statement.
Adverbial phrase:
- Inversely; The opposite is true: Functions to modify a clause by indicating that the situation is the reverse of what one might expect or what was previously stated.
Usage Examples
As a conjunction/transition:
- Mọi người nghĩ anh ấy sẽ buồn. Trái lại, anh ấy cảm thấy rất nhẹ nhõm. (Everyone thought he would be sad. On the contrary, he felt very relieved.)
- Cô ấy không hề yếu đuối. Trái lại, cô ấy là người rất mạnh mẽ. (She is not weak at all. On the contrary, she is a very strong person.)
As an adverbial phrase:
- Hành động của anh ta không giúp ích gì; trái lại, chúng chỉ làm vấn đề tệ hơn. (His actions were not helpful; conversely, they only made the problem worse.)
Advanced Usage
- Used in formal writing and debate to structure a counter-argument. It is stronger than "tuy nhiên" (however) and asserts a direct opposite.
- Often appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause, followed by a comma when introducing the contrasting idea.
Variants and Related Words
Ngược lại: Conversely; On the flip side. (A very close synonym, often interchangeable with "trái lại").
- Lý thuyết thì phức tạp. Ngược lại, thực hành khá đơn giản. (The theory is complex. Conversely, the practice is quite simple.)
Tuy nhiên: However; Nevertheless. (Indicates contrast but not necessarily a direct opposite).
- Mặt khác: On the other hand. (Used to present an alternative or additional point, not always a direct contradiction).
Synonyms
- On the contrary: Used to deny a previous statement and assert its opposite.
- Conversely: Used to express that the opposite of what has been said is true.
- In contrast: Used to show how two things are different.
- Au contraire: (French, sometimes used in English) On the contrary.
Related Idioms and Phrases
Trái với suy nghĩ của nhiều người: Contrary to popular belief.
- Trái với suy nghĩ của nhiều người, làm việc nhiều giờ không đồng nghĩa với năng suất cao. (Contrary to popular belief, working long hours does not equate to high productivity.)
Điều trái lại: The opposite; The reverse.
- Kết quả đã xảy ra điều trái lại với dự đoán của chúng tôi. (The result was the opposite of our prediction.)