The Vietnamese word "thà" is an adverb that can be translated to "rather" or "better" in English. It is often used to express a preference for one option over another or to indicate that you would choose one thing instead of another, especially when the alternatives are not very appealing.
Comparative Preference:
Expressing Regret:
In more complex sentences, "thà" can be used in conditional structures to emphasize the contrast between two situations: - "Thà chịu khổ một chút bây giờ còn hơn phải hối tiếc sau này." - (It’s better to endure a little hardship now than to regret it later.)
While "thà" generally indicates a preference, it can also carry a connotation of acceptance of a less favorable option when no better choices are available.