Vietnamese 'lỡ như' Usage (What if... / In case...)
'lỡ như' expresses a worried or precautionary 'what if' scenario.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'lỡ như' expresses a worried or precautionary 'what if' scenario.
English meanings
- What if...
- In case...
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Lỡ như bạn quên, hãy ghi lại câu này.
What if you forget? Please write down this sentence.
2
Lỡ như trời mưa, chúng ta học online.
In case it rains, we will study online.
How to use it
'lỡ như' is used to express 'what if' in a context of concern or precaution. It is more colloquial and emphasizes the possibility of an unfortunate or unexpected event happening. It is often used to warn, highlight risks, or prepare backup plans, usually followed by a clause describing the consequence or response.
- Commonly used for risk assumptions.
- More informal in tone.
- The second clause usually states a solution or outcome.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Similar to English 'what if' but with a stronger sense of worry or unluckiness than a neutral 'if'.
Common mistakes
Nếu như xấu thì sao?
Lỡ như có chuyện xấu thì sao?
'lỡ như' is more natural to express 'what if' with concern.
Lỡ như trời mưa là chúng ta nghỉ.
Lỡ như trời mưa, chúng ta nghỉ.
'là' is not a fixed connector here; use a comma instead.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'lỡ như'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'lỡ như'?
- Lỡ như bạn quên, hãy ghi lại câu này.
- Nếu như xấu thì sao?
- Lỡ như trời mưa là chúng ta nghỉ.
Answer: Lỡ như bạn quên, hãy ghi lại câu này.
Explanation: Commonly used for risk assumptions.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ bạn quên, hãy ghi lại câu này.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ bạn quên, hãy ghi lại câu này.
Answer: Lỡ như bạn quên, hãy ghi lại câu này.
Explanation: Commonly used for risk assumptions.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "What if you forget? Please write down this sentence." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "What if you forget? Please write down this sentence." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Lỡ như bạn quên, hãy ghi lại câu này.
Explanation: Use lỡ như in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or False: 'Nếu như xấu thì sao?'
Show answer
True or false
True or False: 'Nếu như xấu thì sao?'
Answer: False
Explanation: 'lỡ như' is more natural to express 'what if' with concern.
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Nếu như xấu thì sao?'
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: 'Nếu như xấu thì sao?'
Answer: Lỡ như có chuyện xấu thì sao?
Explanation: 'lỡ như' is more natural to express 'what if' with concern.