Signification
Expressing uncertainty or possibility.
Contexte culturel
Vietnamese people often use 'Có lẽ vậy' to avoid giving a direct 'No,' which can be seen as impolite or face-breaking. It is a way to maintain social harmony. In the North, you might hear 'Có lẽ thế' more often. It sounds slightly more formal and traditional compared to the Southern 'Chắc vậy'. Southerners tend to be more direct but still use 'Chắc vậy' or 'Có lẽ vậy' frequently. The tone is often more rising and friendly. In business, 'Có lẽ vậy' can be a strategic delay. It signals that more information is needed before a final commitment is made.
The 'Face-Saver'
Use this phrase when you don't want to say 'No' directly to an elder or a boss.
Don't Overuse
If you say 'Có lẽ vậy' to every question, you might sound like you aren't paying attention.
Signification
Expressing uncertainty or possibility.
The 'Face-Saver'
Use this phrase when you don't want to say 'No' directly to an elder or a boss.
Don't Overuse
If you say 'Có lẽ vậy' to every question, you might sound like you aren't paying attention.
Add 'là' for Emphasis
Saying 'Có lẽ là vậy' makes you sound more thoughtful and educated.
Teste-toi
Choose the most natural response to the following question: 'Ngày mai bạn có đi làm không?' (Are you going to work tomorrow?)
A: Ngày mai bạn có đi làm không? B: ________, tớ chưa xem lịch.
'Có lẽ vậy' is the only option that expresses the uncertainty mentioned in 'tớ chưa xem lịch' (I haven't checked the schedule).
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase for 'Maybe so'.
Có ____ vậy.
'Có lẽ vậy' is the standard expression for 'maybe so.'
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.
Nam: 'Tôi nghe nói công ty sắp có sếp mới.' Hoa: '________, tôi cũng nghe loáng thoáng như vậy.'
Hoa is confirming a rumor she also heard, making 'Có lẽ vậy' the perfect fit.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You think your friend is right about a movie time, but you aren't 100% sure.
'Có lẽ vậy' expresses that uncertain agreement.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesA: Ngày mai bạn có đi làm không? B: ________, tớ chưa xem lịch.
'Có lẽ vậy' is the only option that expresses the uncertainty mentioned in 'tớ chưa xem lịch' (I haven't checked the schedule).
Có ____ vậy.
'Có lẽ vậy' is the standard expression for 'maybe so.'
Nam: 'Tôi nghe nói công ty sắp có sếp mới.' Hoa: '________, tôi cũng nghe loáng thoáng như vậy.'
Hoa is confirming a rumor she also heard, making 'Có lẽ vậy' the perfect fit.
Situation: You think your friend is right about a movie time, but you aren't 100% sure.
'Có lẽ vậy' expresses that uncertain agreement.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is very polite and neutral. It is safe for almost any situation.
Yes, but adding 'thưa sếp' or 'ạ' at the end makes it even better: 'Có lẽ vậy ạ.'
'Có lẽ' is about probability (perhaps), while 'Có thể' is about possibility or ability (can).
The most natural way is 'Có lẽ là không.'
It is used everywhere, but Southerners might prefer 'Chắc vậy' in casual talk.
Yes, but 'Có khả năng là như vậy' is more academic.
In this context, yes. It points back to the previous idea.
Absolutely. It's one of the most common one-phrase answers in Vietnamese.
It is the 'hỏi' tone (the hook above the letter).
Yes, 'thế' is a common synonym for 'vậy,' especially in the North.
Expressions liées
Chắc là
similarProbably
Có thể
similarCan / Possible
Hình như
similarIt seems like
Dường như
similarIt appears that
Không hẳn
contrastNot exactly
