# Được cái: the one good thing is in Vietnamese (A2)

> Được cái points out the one good thing about something that isn't perfect: Phòng hơi nhỏ, được cái sạch sẽ.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/duoc-cai/ · Updated 2026-10-17

**the one good thing is**

Pattern: `[drawback], (nhưng) được cái + [good point]`

Level: A2 (our estimate) · Register: everyday

Typed without accents: duoc cai

*Được cái* points out the one good thing about something that isn't perfect: *Phòng hơi nhỏ, được cái sạch sẽ.* The room's a bit small, but at least it's clean. It's like "the good thing is …" or "at least …" in English.

It comes second, after the drawback, often with *nhưng* (but) in front: *Quán này hơi chật, nhưng được cái đồ ăn ngon.* After *được cái* comes the good point: an adjective such as *rẻ*, *gần* or *yên tĩnh*, or a short sentence: *Xe tôi cũ rồi, được cái chạy êm.*

It works for people too: *Ảnh nói hơi nhiều, được cái tốt bụng.* He talks a bit much, but he's kind-hearted.

It's everyday speech, warm and a little forgiving: you're making the best of things. Keep it for the good side. For the one drawback in something good, people say *chỉ có điều*: *Nhà đẹp, chỉ có điều hơi xa.* The house is lovely; the only thing is, it's a bit far.

## Examples

- Phòng hơi nhỏ, được cái sạch sẽ. — The room's a bit small, but at least it's clean.
- Quán này hơi chật, nhưng được cái đồ ăn ngon. — This place is a bit cramped, but the food's good.
- Xe tôi cũ rồi, được cái chạy êm. — My motorbike is old, but at least it runs smoothly.
- Saigon: Ảnh nói hơi nhiều, được cái tốt bụng. | Hà Nội: Anh ấy nói hơi nhiều, được cái tốt bụng. — He talks a bit much, but he's kind-hearted.

## Compare

- [The only thing is: (chỉ) có điều (là)](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/co-dieu-only-thing/): the only thing is, but

Previous in Words at the start and end of a sentence: […, isn't it? (inviting agreement): ha / nhỉ](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/nhi-ha/)
Next in Words at the start and end of a sentence: [Look! Here! … nè, kìa](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/nay-final-look/)

---

Add to Vietnamese Buddy: https://app.vietnamesebuddy.com/waitlist?source=grammar%3Au_duoc_cai
In the app, the grammar points from your own class material are kept with their status, and any word you meet while reading can go into your lexicon with its audio, ready to study.