tưởng chừng
Definition
- Adverb (often used with "như", "là", or "như thể"):
- Seemingly; as if; to appear as though: Used to express a strong initial impression or assumption that something is a certain way, which is later revealed to be incorrect or different from reality. It highlights a contrast between perception and fact.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- Công việc mới nhìn tưởng chừng rất dễ. (The job, at first glance, seemed very easy.)
- Câu chuyện tưởng chừng như đã kết thúc. (The story seemed as if it had ended.)
- Anh ấy tưởng chừng không thể đứng dậy nổi sau tai nạn. (He appeared as though he couldn't get up after the accident.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is almost always followed by a clause introduced by words like "như" (like, as if), "là" (is), or "như thể" (as though) to complete the comparison.
- It is used to set up a narrative contrast, often followed by a clause with "nhưng" (but) or "hóa ra" (it turns out) to reveal the truth.
- Căn phòng tưởng chừng như trống rỗng, nhưng hóa ra có người ở bên trong. (The room seemed empty, but it turned out someone was inside.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tưởng (verb): to think, to believe.
- Tôi tưởng anh đã về. (I thought you had gone home.)
- Tưởng như (adverbial phrase): to seem as if. This is a very common and closely related compound.
- Mọi thứ tưởng như đã mất. (Everything seemed as if it was lost.)
Synonyms
- Seemingly: Having the appearance of being so, though not necessarily so.
- As if: Giving the impression that.
- Apparently: As far as one can see or know, often used when the reality is different.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Tưởng chừng như không thể: Seems impossible.
- Khoảng cách tưởng chừng như không thể vượt qua. (The gap seems impossible to bridge.)
- Tưởng chừng đơn giản: Seems simple.
- Bài toán tưởng chừng đơn giản lại rất phức tạp. (The math problem, which seemed simple, is actually very complex.)