ừ phải
Definition
- Interjection:
- Yes, exactly / That's right: A conversational, affirming interjection used to strongly agree with a statement or confirm its correctness. It expresses a higher degree of agreement than a simple "yes" (ừ), often with a sense of "indeed" or "you are absolutely correct."
Usage Examples
- Interjection:
- "Hôm nay trời lạnh nhỉ?" – "Ừ phải, lạnh thật." ("It's cold today, isn't it?" – "Yes, exactly, it really is cold.")
- "Cái này để ở đây đúng không?" – "Ừ phải." ("This goes here, right?" – "That's right.")
Advanced Usage
- This phrase is primarily used in informal, spoken dialogue. It often carries a tone of collaborative confirmation, as if the speaker and listener are arriving at the same conclusion together.
Variants and Related Words
- Ừ (interj): A simple, neutral "yes" or "uh-huh."
- Phải (particle/adj): Often used as a question tag meaning "right?" or as an adjective meaning "correct."
- Ừ, phải rồi (interj phrase): "Yes, that's right" or "Oh, right," often expressing sudden realization or remembrance.
Synonyms
- Exactly: Used to confirm and emphasize agreement.
- That's right: Used to confirm the accuracy of a statement.
- Indeed: A more formal synonym expressing strong agreement.
Notes on Usage
- "Ừ phải" is a fused, idiomatic interjection. It is not typically used in formal writing.
- The strength of agreement can be modulated by tone of voice. A drawn-out "ừừ… phải" can express thoughtful agreement, while a quick "ừ phải" is a direct confirmation.