chứ₁ is used when the speaker corrects an assumption, contrasts expectations, or pushes back against what was just said or implied. It signals: “Not that — it’s this instead,” or “That’s not the point you think it is.”
The speaker uses chứ₁ to show that the listener’s idea, guess, or expectation is wrong, incomplete, or needs adjustment.
[1] – A: Anh không thích cà phê à? You don’t like coffee?
– B: Không, tôi thích chứ₁. No, I do like it.
→ chứ₁ corrects the assumption that the speaker does not like coffee.
Without chứ₁, the correction sounds weaker.
[2] – Tôi đâu có đi chơi, tôi đi làm chứ₁. I didn’t go out for fun — I went to work.
→ chứ₁ highlights contrast between two possibilities.
[3] – A: Sao anh không gọi cho tôi? Why didn’t you call me?
– B: Tôi gọi rồi chứ₁. I did call you.
→ chứ₁ adds insistence and emotional pushback.
[4] – Tôi giúp anh vì muốn giúp chứ₁ không phải vì tiền. I helped you because I wanted to, not because of money.
→ chứ₁ clarifies the true motivation.
chứ₁ vs mà₁
– chứ₁: correction, pushback, contrast with expectation – mà₁: contrast or explanation, often softer
[5a] – Tôi mệt chứ₁, không phải lười. I’m tired, not lazy.
[5b] – Tôi mệt mà₁, nên không đi. I’m tired, so I’m not going.
chứ₁ vs thì
– chứ₁: challenges an assumption – thì: organizes information, neutral
[6a] – Tôi thích trà chứ₁. I do like tea (correcting you).
[6b] – Tôi thì thích trà. As for me, I like tea.
• chứ₁ often carries emotional tone: insistence, correction, or mild annoyance.
• It is very common in spoken Vietnamese.
• chứ₁ usually appears after the verb or at the end of the clause.
Correct: ✓ Tôi biết rồi chứ₁.
Incorrect: ✗ Chứ₁ tôi biết rồi.
• chứ₁ should not be used for neutral statements without contrast or correction.
• verb + chứ₁
– Tôi hiểu chứ₁. I do understand.
• A chứ₁, không phải B
– Tôi đi làm chứ₁, không phải đi chơi. I went to work, not for fun.
• Đâu có … chứ₁
– Tôi đâu có nói vậy chứ₁. I didn’t say that.
chứ₁ gives Vietnamese a very human edge: it lets speakers gently (or not so gently) say, “That’s not how it is — listen again.”