ví dù
Definition
- Conjunction:
- Even if; even though: Used to introduce a hypothetical or concessive clause, acknowledging a possible condition or fact that does not prevent the main statement from being true. It expresses a contrast or a supposition.
- If; suppose that: Used to introduce a conditional clause for the sake of argument or consideration.
Usage Examples
- Conjunction:
- Ví dù trời có mưa, chúng tôi vẫn sẽ đi. (Even if it rains, we will still go.)
- Tôi sẽ giúp anh, ví dù tôi rất bận. (I will help you, even though I am very busy.)
- Ví dù anh ấy là người giàu nhất, điều đó cũng không làm anh ấy hạnh phúc hơn. (Suppose that he is the richest man, that still doesn't make him happier.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "ví dù" is considered somewhat formal or literary in modern Vietnamese. In everyday speech, "dù", "cho dù", or "ngay cả khi" are more commonly used with similar meanings.
- It can be used at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle to connect two clauses.
Variants and Related Words
- Ví dầu (conj): An older, synonymous variant of "ví dù". It has the same meaning and usage.
- Ví dầu tôi có nói, cũng chẳng ai tin. (Even if I were to speak, no one would believe it.)
- Dù (conj): Even if, although. (More common)
- Cho dù (conj): Even if, even though. (More common)
- Giả sử (conj): Suppose that, assuming that. (Focuses more on hypothesis than concession.)
Synonyms
- Even if: Used to stress that something will happen despite a particular condition.
- Even though: Used to introduce a fact that makes the main statement surprising.
- Although: In spite of the fact that.
- Suppose that: Used to consider a possible situation.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Ví dù... đi nữa: A reinforced structure meaning "even if... still".
- Ví dù khó khăn đi nữa, chúng ta cũng phải cố gắng. (No matter how difficult it is, we still have to try.)