ví bằng

Ví bằng anh ấy nói thật, chúng ta sẽ hiểu nhau hơn.

Definition

1. Conjunction:
   • If / In case / Supposing that: Used to introduce a hypothetical or conditional clause, often expressing a situation that is imagined, uncertain, or contrary to fact. It sets up a premise for a following consequence or question.

Usage Examples

• Conjunction:
  • Ví bằng anh đến trễ, chúng tôi sẽ bắt đầu trước. (If you arrive late, we will start without you.)
  • Ví bằng trời mưa, buổi dã ngoại sẽ bị hoãn. (Supposing that it rains, the picnic will be postponed.)
  • Ví bằng thú thực cùng ta... (If [he] were to confess sincerely to me...)

Advanced Usage

• This conjunction is literary and formal. In modern spoken Vietnamese, words like nếu, giả sử, or trường hợp are more commonly used for similar conditional meanings.
• It often introduces a clause that presents a hypothetical scenario, which the main clause then responds to.

Variants and Related Words

• Ví như (conjunction): For example, such as; used to give an example.
  • Có nhiều loại trái cây, ví như cam, táo, chuối. (There are many types of fruit, such as oranges, apples, bananas.)
• Ví phỏng (conjunction): A less common, synonymous literary form meaning "if" or "supposing".

Synonyms

• Nếu: If (common, general use).
• Giả sử: Suppose that, assuming that.
• Trường hợp: In the case that.
• Phỏng ví bằng: A more elaborate, archaic synonym.

Notes on Usage

• "Ví bằng" is primarily found in classical or formal literary texts, poetry, and elevated prose. Its usage in everyday contemporary conversation is rare.
• It functions exclusively as a subordinating conjunction to link a conditional clause to a main clause.