Vietnamese 'lỡ' Usage (In Case / Accidentally)
'lỡ' expresses accidental occurrence or worry about 'in case', commonly used in spoken language.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'lỡ' expresses accidental occurrence or worry about 'in case', commonly used in spoken language.
English meanings
- In case
- Accidentally
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Lỡ trời mưa thì sao?
What if it rains?
2
Tôi lỡ quên ví ở nhà.
I accidentally forgot my wallet at home.
How to use it
'lỡ' can mean 'in case' or 'accidentally'. In conditional sentences, it often introduces a worried scenario, e.g., 'Lỡ trời mưa thì sao?'. Its tone is more colloquial and concerned than 'nếu'.
- Commonly used in questions like 'Lỡ ... thì sao?' to express worry.
- Can also indicate accidental actions.
- Rarely used in formal written conditionals.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Similar to English 'what if' or 'in case' with a worried tone; 'lỡ' is more informal and expresses concern, unlike the neutral 'if'.
Common mistakes
Nếu trời mưa thì sao?
Lỡ trời mưa thì sao?
Use 'lỡ' for worried 'what if' scenarios; it's more natural colloquially.
Tôi nếu quên ví ở nhà.
Tôi lỡ quên ví ở nhà.
Use 'lỡ' to indicate accidental forgetting.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'lỡ'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'lỡ'?
- Lỡ trời mưa thì sao?
- Nếu trời mưa thì sao?
- Tôi nếu quên ví ở nhà.
Answer: Lỡ trời mưa thì sao?
Explanation: Used in worried 'what if' questions.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ trời mưa thì sao?
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ trời mưa thì sao?
Answer: Lỡ trời mưa thì sao?
Explanation: Used in worried 'what if' questions.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "What if it rains?" into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "What if it rains?" into Vietnamese.
Answer: Lỡ trời mưa thì sao?
Explanation: Use lỡ in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or False: 'Nếu trời mưa thì sao?'
Show answer
True or false
True or False: 'Nếu trời mưa thì sao?'
Answer: False
Explanation: Use 'lỡ' for worried 'what if' scenarios; it's more natural colloquially.
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Nếu trời mưa thì sao?'
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Nếu trời mưa thì sao?'
Answer: Lỡ trời mưa thì sao?
Explanation: Use 'lỡ' for worried 'what if' scenarios; it's more natural colloquially.