thì đã sao

So What of It

Level 5

Thì đã sao translates to "So what?" or "What of it?". It is a highly defiant, conversational phrase used to dismiss a fact or criticism as irrelevant.

How It Works

While this pattern can be combative or rude if used with superiors, it is not strictly negative. In modern usage, it is frequently used rhetorically for self-empowerment, anti-shaming, and body positivity (e.g., Lùn thì đã sao? - So what if I'm short?). It is also common in playful banter among close friends.

The Role of "đã":
A common misconception is that đã always marks the past tense. In this pattern, đã is not a tense marker. Instead, it functions as a pragmatic particle emphasizing that the premise is an established reality that you are choosing to dismiss. For example, Muộn thì đã sao? (So what if it is late?) refers to a present state, not a past action.

Common Variations & Comparisons:

  • Thì đã sao nào?: The particle nào is often appended to amplify the provocative or playful tone.
  • Thì sao: While this is the standard, neutral way to ask "What about...?" (e.g., Còn bạn thì sao?), it is also frequently used as a direct, defiant "So what?" (e.g., Tôi lùn thì sao?). Note that you cannot use thì đã sao for the neutral "What about...?" meaning.
  • Thì làm sao: Very similar in its defiant tone ("So what are you going to do about it?"), but làm sao focuses slightly more on an action or consequence, whereas thì đã sao dismisses the state or fact itself.
  • Thì đã làm sao: A common hybrid variation (e.g., Thế thì đã làm sao?) that combines both particles for maximum defiance and emphasis.

Examples (5)

  1. Là người khuyết tật thì đã sao?

    So what if I am a disabled person?

    Word by Word: Be person disabled then already how?

    Attaches to a noun phrase to dismiss the negative implications of a fact.

  2. Nó là chó mà, đi dưới đất thì đã sao?

    It's a dog, so what if it walks on the ground?

    Word by Word: It be dog but, go under ground then already how?

    Attaches to a full clause to defend an action as perfectly normal.

  3. A: Anh lại to tiếng rồi. — B: Thế thì đã sao nào?

    A: You're speaking loudly again. — B: So what of it?

    Word by Word: A: Brother again loud voice already. — B: So then already how which?

    Used as a standalone retort. Native speakers typically add 'Thế' or 'Vậy' at the beginning. The addition of 'nào' makes it even more challenging.

  4. Muộn thì đã sao? Chúng ta không cần vội.

    So what if it's late? We don't need to rush.

    Word by Word: Late then already how? We not need rush.

    Demonstrates that 'đã' here does not mean past tense; it refers to the present state of being late.

  5. Nghèo thì đã sao? Miễn là tôi hạnh phúc.

    So what if I'm poor? As long as I'm happy.

    Word by Word: Poor then already how? Provided be I happy.

    Attaches to an adjective to dismiss a negative condition.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'thì đã sao' to ask a neutral 'What about [X]?' question.

    Còn anh ấy thì đã sao?
    Còn anh ấy thì sao?

    Thì đã sao strictly means 'So what?' and carries a defiant tone. To ask a neutral 'What about...?', you must use thì sao (though note that thì sao can also mean 'So what?' depending on context).

  • Using the pattern in formal situations or with superiors, causing pragmatic failure.

    Thưa giám đốc, dự án này thất bại thì đã sao?
    Thưa giám đốc, nếu dự án này thất bại thì chúng ta nên làm gì?

    Because it translates cleanly to 'so what', learners sometimes use it without realizing it sounds insubordinate or rude in Vietnamese. It should never be used with elders, bosses, or in formal settings.

How It Connects

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thì đã saoLevel 5So What of It

Learn This First

To understand 'thì đã sao', a learner needs to recognize 'thì' as a topic marker that frames the condition being conceded. They must also understand the question word 'sao' and the completion marker 'đã', which together form a rhetorical expression questioning the significance of an established fact.

Words in This Pattern

sao