Vietnamese 'chẳng lẽ' Usage (Could It Be That)
'chẳng lẽ' expresses surprise or disbelief, similar to 'could it be that' or 'isn't it that'. Its function and style depend on the lesson's structure and examples.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'chẳng lẽ' expresses surprise or disbelief, similar to 'could it be that' or 'isn't it that'. Its function and style depend on the lesson's structure and examples.
English meanings
- could it be that; isn't it that
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Chẳng lẽ bạn không biết chuyện này?
Could it be that you don't know about this?
2
Chẳng lẽ chúng ta phải làm lại từ đầu?
Do we really have to start over?
How to use it
'chẳng lẽ' is used in rhetorical questions expressing surprise, doubt, or unwillingness to believe something.
- 'chẳng lẽ' is followed by a complete question clause.
- Often used in rhetorical questions, not neutral information questions.
- More colloquial; use cautiously in formal writing.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, rhetorical questions like 'Could it be that you don't know?' carry surprise or disbelief; similarly, 'chẳng lẽ' conveys the speaker's emotion and presupposition.
Common mistakes
Chẳng lẽ bạn tên là gì?
Bạn tên là gì?
'chẳng lẽ' is not used for simple questions like asking someone's name; it implies surprise or doubt.
Chẳng lẽ mấy giờ rồi?
Mấy giờ rồi?
'chẳng lẽ' is not used for straightforward questions like asking the time.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
What kind of tone does 'chẳng lẽ' convey?
Show answer
Multiple choice
What kind of tone does 'chẳng lẽ' convey?
- Surprised or doubtful rhetorical question
- Neutral question
- Formal statement
Answer: Surprised or doubtful rhetorical question
Explanation: It is similar to English 'could it be that' or 'isn't it that'.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ bạn không biết chuyện này?
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ bạn không biết chuyện này?
Answer: Chẳng lẽ bạn không biết chuyện này?
Explanation: 'chẳng lẽ' is followed by a complete question clause.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Could it be that you don't know about this?" into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Could it be that you don't know about this?" into Vietnamese.
Answer: Chẳng lẽ bạn không biết chuyện này?
Explanation: Use chẳng lẽ in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or False: Chẳng lẽ bạn tên là gì?
Show answer
True or false
True or False: Chẳng lẽ bạn tên là gì?
Answer: False
Explanation: 'chẳng lẽ' is not used for simple questions like asking someone's name.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Chẳng lẽ bạn tên là gì?
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Chẳng lẽ bạn tên là gì?
Answer: Bạn tên là gì?
Explanation: Simple questions do not require the rhetorical tone of 'chẳng lẽ'.