Quick Answer
Both đành rằng and cho dù introduce a concessive clause, but they differ in nuance and application. Đành rằng is used to acknowledge an existing, often undesirable, fact or concession before presenting a contrasting idea, translating roughly to 'granted that' or 'it is true that'. Cho dù, on the other hand, means 'even if' or 'regardless of' and introduces a hypothetical or actual condition that does not alter the main clause's outcome.
Comparison Table
| Feature | đành rằng | cho dù |
|---|---|---|
| Core Meaning | Granted that, it is true that, admittedly | Even if, regardless of, no matter what |
| Concession Type | Acknowledges an existing or accepted fact/situation, often with a sense of resignation. | Introduces a hypothetical or actual condition that doesn't change the outcome. |
| Emphasis | Acceptance of a fact, often negative, before moving to a counter-argument. | The irrelevance of the condition to the main clause's truth. |
| Common Follow-up | Thường đi với nhưng (but), tuy nhiên (however). | Thường đi với thì (then), vẫn (still). |
| Formality | Slightly more formal, sometimes with a resigned tone. | General-purpose, can be formal or informal. |
| Example | Đành rằng công việc khó khăn, nhưng chúng ta không thể bỏ cuộc. Granted that the work is difficult, but we cannot give up. | Cho dù trời mưa, chúng tôi vẫn đi dã ngoại. Even if it rains, we will still go picnicking. |
Detailed Explanation
When learning Vietnamese, understanding the subtle differences between similar-sounding conjunctions is crucial for achieving fluency. Đành rằng and cho dù both introduce a concessive clause, but their specific applications are distinct.
Đành rằng (Hán-Việt: đản nhưỡng - to bear/endure and to yield/allow/say) is used to acknowledge or concede a point, often a negative or undesirable one, before introducing a contrasting or counter-argument. It sets up an expectation that the following clause will somehow mitigate or explain away the conceded point. Think of it as saying, 'I grant you that X is true, BUT...' or 'Admittedly, X is the case, HOWEVER...'. It often carries a slightly resigned or formal tone. This structure is common in arguments, debates, or when expressing a balanced perspective. It implies that while the initial statement is true, it doesn't represent the whole picture or change the speaker's main conviction.
Cho dù (Hán-Việt: dữ do - to give/allow and to follow/comply, implying 'even if allowing it to follow') means 'even if,' 'regardless of,' or 'no matter what.' It introduces a condition, either hypothetical or actual, and asserts that the main clause's outcome will remain unchanged despite that condition. Unlike đành rằng which acknowledges an existing fact, cho dù often looks at a potential or imagined scenario. It emphasizes the steadfastness or inevitability of the main clause regardless of the preceding condition. It is highly versatile and can be used for future events, past situations, or general truths. It is often followed by thì (then) or vẫn (still) in the main clause.
Example Pairs
Đành rằng giá cả có hơi cao, nhưng chất lượng sản phẩm này rất đáng tiền.
Granted that the price is a bit high, but the quality of this product is very much worth the money.
Cho dù giá có cao đến mấy, tôi vẫn muốn mua nó vì chất lượng tốt.
Even if the price is however high, I still want to buy it because of the good quality.
Đành rằng anh ấy đã mắc lỗi, nhưng anh ấy cũng đã cố gắng sửa chữa.
Granted that he made a mistake, but he also tried to fix it.
Cho dù anh ấy có mắc lỗi đi chăng nữa, chúng tôi vẫn sẽ ủng hộ anh ấy.
Even if he makes a mistake, we will still support him.
Đành rằng việc học rất vất vả, nhưng tương lai tươi sáng đang chờ đợi.
Granted that studying is very hard, but a bright future awaits.
Cho dù việc học có vất vả đến đâu, tôi cũng không bao giờ bỏ cuộc.
Even if studying is however hard, I will never give up.
Đành rằng kế hoạch này có rủi ro, nhưng lợi ích tiềm năng là rất lớn.
Granted that this plan has risks, but the potential benefits are huge.
Cho dù có bất kỳ rủi ro nào xảy ra, chúng tôi vẫn sẽ tiến hành dự án.
Even if any risks occur, we will still proceed with the project.
Đành rằng anh không thể đến dự, nhưng mong anh thông cảm cho tôi.
Granted that you cannot attend, but I hope you understand me.
Cho dù anh có bận đến mấy, anh vẫn nên dành thời gian cho gia đình.
Even if you are however busy, you should still make time for your family.
Common Patterns
Đành rằng A nhưng B: This is a very common structure where 'A' is the conceded point and 'B' is the counter-argument or the main point that holds despite 'A'. The 'nhưng' (but) is often explicitly stated.
Example: Đành rằng trời mưa, nhưng chúng tôi vẫn phải đi làm. (Granted that it's raining, but we still have to go to work.)
Cho dù A (thì/vẫn) B: 'A' is the condition, and 'B' is the outcome that remains unchanged. The 'thì' (then) or 'vẫn' (still) in the main clause strongly emphasizes the unyielding nature of B.
Example: Cho dù trời mưa, chúng tôi vẫn đi làm. (Even if it rains, we still go to work.)
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Using cho dù for acknowledging an undeniable, existing fact
Learners sometimes mistakenly use cho dù when they intend to concede a point that is already a known truth, rather than a hypothetical condition.
❌ Cho dù anh ấy tài năng, nhưng tính cách anh ấy khó chịu.
✅ Đành rằng anh ấy tài năng, nhưng tính cách anh ấy khó chịu.
Why it's wrong and how to fix it: The first sentence implies a hypothetical "even if he were talented," which doesn't fit the context of acknowledging an existing trait (his talent). Đành rằng correctly expresses "Granted that he is talented," setting up a contrast with his personality.
Mistake 2 — Using đành rằng for purely hypothetical future scenarios
Đành rằng is primarily about conceding existing facts or past events, not introducing purely hypothetical future conditions that might or might not happen.
❌ Đành rằng bạn không giúp, tôi vẫn sẽ làm được.
✅ Cho dù bạn không giúp, tôi vẫn sẽ làm được.
Why it's wrong and how to fix it: The sentence describes a future hypothetical situation ("if you don't help"). Đành rằng implies a concession of a current or established fact. Cho dù is perfect for this "even if" scenario, emphasizing that the lack of help won't prevent the outcome.
Mistake 3 — Misplacing the emphasis of "no matter what"
While both relate to concession, cho dù strongly conveys "no matter what" or "regardless of the circumstances," which isn't the primary function of đành rằng.
❌ Đành rằng khó khăn thế nào, chúng ta vẫn phải tiến lên.
✅ Cho dù khó khăn thế nào, chúng ta vẫn phải tiến lên.
Why it's wrong and how to fix it: The phrase "khó khăn thế nào" (however difficult) implies a range of possible difficulties, which is best captured by cho dù ("even if it's difficult in any way" or "no matter how difficult"). Đành rằng would be more suited for acknowledging a specific difficulty: "Đành rằng chúng ta đang đối mặt với khó khăn (này), nhưng..." (Granted that we are facing this difficulty, but...).
Quick Quiz
Fill in the blank with đành rằng or cho dù:
- _____ công việc này có nhiều thử thách, nhưng tôi tin chúng tôi sẽ thành công.
Hint: You are acknowledging an existing fact (many challenges) before stating your confidence.
Answer
- Đành rằng công việc này có nhiều thử thách, nhưng tôi tin chúng tôi sẽ thành công.
Explanation: 'Đành rằng' is used here to concede the existing reality of many challenges, setting up a contrast with the speaker's belief in success.
- _____ bạn có nói gì đi nữa, tôi vẫn giữ vững lập trường của mình.
Hint: This expresses a hypothetical scenario ("what you might say") that won't change the speaker's stance.
Answer
- Cho dù bạn có nói gì đi nữa, tôi vẫn giữ vững lập trường của mình.
Explanation: 'Cho dù' is appropriate for "even if" or "regardless of what you say," highlighting that the outcome (keeping one's stance) is unaffected by the condition.
- _____ trời mưa rất to sáng nay, nhưng cô ấy vẫn đến đúng giờ.
Hint: You are acknowledging a specific, known past event (heavy rain) before noting a surprising outcome.
Answer
- Đành rằng trời mưa rất to sáng nay, nhưng cô ấy vẫn đến đúng giờ.
Explanation: 'Đành rằng' concedes the known fact of heavy rain, preceding the surprising punctuality. It's an acknowledgement of a factual circumstance.