For What It's Worth
Meaning: In case it helps; this may or may not be valuable
Preface to offering opinion or information while acknowledging it may not be useful. Modest way to contribute without claiming authority.
Examples
- For what it's worth, I think you're right. 如果有帮助的话,我觉得你是对的。Por si sirve de algo, creo que tienes razón.参考になるかわからないけど、君が正しいと思うよ。참고가 될지 모르겠지만, 네가 맞다고 생각해.
- For what it's worth, here's my opinion. 如果有用的话,这是我的看法。Por si sirve de algo, esta es mi opinión.参考になるかわからないけど、私の意見はこうだよ。참고가 될지 모르겠지만, 내 의견은 이래.
- I don't know if it helps, but for what it's worth... 不知道有没有帮助,但如果有用的话…No sé si ayuda, pero por si sirve de algo...役立つかわからないけど、参考までに…도움이 될지 모르겠는데, 참고 삼아 말하자면...
- For what it's worth, I've been through something similar.如果有帮助的话,我也经历过类似的事情。Por si sirve de algo, he pasado por algo similar.参考になるかわからないけど、似たような経験があるよ。참고가 될지 모르겠지만, 나도 비슷한 경험을 한 적 있어.
Pronunciation
/fɔː wɒt ɪts wɜːθ/
Usage Guide
Context: offering opinions, modesty, advice
Tone: modest, offering
✓ Do Say
- For what it's worth...如果有帮助的话…Por si sirve de algo…参考になるかわからないけど…도움이 될지 모르겠지만…
- FWIW...FWIW…FWIW…FWIW…FWIW…
- For what it's worth, I think...如果有用的话,我觉得…Por si sirve de algo, yo creo…参考までに、私は…참고로, 내 생각엔…
✗ Don't Say
- Can seem falsely modest可能显得假谦虚Puede parecer falsamente modesto偽の謙虚さに見えることがある겉치레 겸손으로 보일 수 있음
- May undercut strong opinions可能削弱强烈的意见Puede debilitar opiniones fuertes強い意見を弱めることがある강한 의견의 설득력을 떨어뜨릴 수 있음
Common Mistakes
- FWIW = text abbreviation
- Shows modesty about contribution
Origin & History
Acknowledges that the value of the following statement is uncertain—'worth' may be significant or nothing. Modest contribution.
Etymology: For whatever value (worth) this has
First recorded: Traditional English
Cultural Context
Era: Traditional
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Buffalo Springfield song (1966); Common in advice-giving contexts
Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.
Variations
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