# Miễn là: provided that in Vietnamese (B1)

> Miễn là means "as long as": it names the one condition that matters, and then everything else is fine.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/mien-la-provided/ · Updated 2026-10-17

**provided that**

Pattern: `[sentence], miễn là + [sentence]`

Level: B1 (our estimate) · Register: everyday

Typed without accents: mien la

*Miễn là* means "as long as": it names the one condition that matters, and then everything else is fine. It usually comes second, after what you're happy to accept: *Ở đâu cũng được, miễn là gần chỗ làm.* Anywhere's fine, as long as it's near work. *Mắc chút cũng được, miễn là chất lượng tốt.* A bit pricey is fine, as long as the quality's good.

The first half often ends in *cũng được* (is fine), and *miễn là* then sets the one limit: *Con đi chơi cũng được, miễn là về trước mười giờ.* You can go out, as long as you're back before ten.

In speech you'll also hear *miễn sao*, and a short form with *là được* (that's enough) at the end: *Miễn vui là được.* As long as we're having fun.

*Nếu* (if) just sets a condition. *Miễn là* says that condition is enough, and nothing else is needed. On its own, *miễn* also means "free of": *miễn phí*, free of charge.

## Examples

- Ở đâu cũng được, miễn là gần chỗ làm. — Anywhere's fine, as long as it's near work.
- Con đi chơi cũng được, miễn là về trước mười giờ. — You can go out, as long as you're home before ten.
- Saigon: Mắc chút cũng được, miễn là chất lượng tốt. | Hà Nội: Đắt một chút cũng được, miễn là chất lượng tốt. — A bit pricey is fine, as long as the quality's good.
- Miễn vui là được. — As long as we're having fun, that's what matters.

## Compare

- [If … then: nếu … (thì)](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/neu-thi-if/): if

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