đành là
Definition
- Conjunction / Adverbial phrase:
- It is true that / Granted that / Admittedly: Used to concede a point or acknowledge a fact, often before introducing a contrasting or opposing statement. It expresses reluctant agreement or acceptance of a circumstance.
- To have to accept that / To be forced to agree that: Indicates a resigned acceptance of a situation, often leading to a necessary but less desirable course of action.
Usage Examples
- Conjunction / Adverbial phrase:
- Đành là anh có lý, nhưng tôi vẫn không đồng ý. (It is true that you have a point, but I still disagree.)
- Đành là trời mưa, chúng ta vẫn phải đi. (Granted that it's raining, we still have to go.)
- Đành là cô ấy giận, tôi cũng không biết làm sao. (I have to accept that she is angry, but I don't know what to do.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to structure a logical concession, similar to "while it is true that..." or "although it must be admitted that...". It sets up a premise that the speaker acknowledges as valid before presenting their main argument or decision.
- Đành là học tiếng Anh rất khó, nhưng nó rất cần thiết. (Admittedly, learning English is very difficult, but it is very necessary.)
Variants and Related Words
- Đành rằng: A more formal or literary variant with identical meaning and usage.
- Đành rằng chi phí cao, chất lượng sản phẩm rất tốt. (Granted that the cost is high, the product quality is excellent.)
Synonyms
- Concede that: To admit something is true.
- Admittedly: Used to express a concession.
- Granted: Used to introduce a fact that is a basis for an argument.
Related Idioms
- Đành lòng: To resign oneself to something; to accept something reluctantly (often refers to an emotional state).
- Tôi đành lòng chờ đợi. (I resigned myself to waiting.)
- This is related but distinct, as "đành lòng" focuses on internal resignation, while "đành là" introduces a concessive clause.