sao cũng được
[saːw˧˧ kʊwŋ͡m˦ˀ˥ ʔɗɨək̚˧˨ʔ]word by word
In Vietnamese, the phrase for 'whatever' is sao cũng được.
The phrase is used to indicate that the speaker does not care what someone says. Unlike the English 'whatever' which can sometimes be used to mean 'anything that happens,' the Vietnamese sao cũng được is more heavily focused on the speaker's indifference to a choice or opinion.
Meaning: indicating the speaker does not care what someone says (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sao cũng được is composed of sao (how/what), cũng (also/anyway) and được (can/be okay), literally meaning 'how it is is also fine'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using sao cũng được with elders or in formal settings can sound dismissive or rude, similar to the English 'whatever'. For a formal alternative meaning 'regardless of' or 'no matter', use bất kể. For an informal way to say 'anything is fine', you can use Gì cũng được.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase sao cũng được is grammatically stable and does not change its form based on the subject of the sentence.
Did you know?
- The Vietnamese word for 'star' is also sao, but when used to mean 'celebrity', it is actually a semantic loan from the English word 'star'.
- The word sao in the phrase is part of a group of demonstratives that includes words like rày, ri, rứa and ru, which are common in Central Vietnamese dialects.
- While được is common, in many Central and Southern Vietnamese dialects, the word đặng is often used in its place.
Examples in context
- Sao cũng được!Whatever!This example shows how to use the phrase sao cũng được to express indifference.Tatoeba #11534981 by OneJanuary, translation #491243 by aandrusiak
- Bất kể thời tiết có như thế nào, bạn hãy luôn đảm bảo an toàn.Regardless of the weather, make sure you stay safe.
- Bất kể nguyên nhân là gì, chúng tôi sẽ tìm giải pháp phù hợp.No matter the cause, we will find a suitable solution.
- Đi ăn ở đâu? – Cũng được, chỗ nào cũng ngon cả.Where should we eat? – Anything is fine, anywhere is delicious.
- Ăn món gì cũng được, sao cũng được.Eat anything, whatever.
- Anh muốn làm gì thì làm, sao cũng được.Do whatever you want to do.
Example conversation
Nam and Lan are deciding which movie to watch at home.
- NamChúng ta nên xem phim hành động không?Should we watch an action movie?
- LanEm thấy sao cũng được.I feel like whatever is fine.
- NamVậy xem phim hoạt hình nhé?Then let's watch a cartoon?
- LanSao cũng được, anh chọn đi.Whatever, you choose.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (sao, cũng, được) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cũng, sao, được, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
