Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a short while, soon: Indicates that something will happen after a short period of time from the present moment.
   • At least, in any case: Used to introduce a minimum condition, a mitigating factor, or a final point in an argument.

Usage Examples

• Adverb (soon):
  • Ít nữa tôi sẽ gọi lại cho anh. (I will call you back in a little while.)
  • Chúng ta hãy đợi thêm ít nữa. (Let's wait a little longer.)
• Adverb (at least):
  • Dù sao, ít nữa cô ấy cũng đã cố gắng hết sức. (Anyway, at least she tried her best.)
  • Công việc khó, nhưng ít nữa lương cũng cao. (The job is hard, but at least the salary is high.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ít nữa thì...": Used to express that something almost happened or was about to happen.
  • Ít nữa thì tôi bị lỡ chuyến tàu. (I almost missed the train.)
• "Dù gì đi nữa, ít nữa...": A structure to emphasize a positive minimum outcome ("At the very least...").
  • Dù gì đi nữa, ít nữa chúng ta cũng đã học được bài học. (Whatever happens, at the very least we have learned a lesson.)

Variants and Related Words

• Một chút nữa: A very similar phrase meaning "a little bit more" or "a little while longer".
  • Hãy kiên nhẫn một chút nữa. (Please be patient a little while longer.)
• Sắp tới: An adverb meaning "coming up, in the near future".
  • Kế hoạch cho thời gian sắp tới. (Plans for the near future.)
• Tối thiểu: An adjective/adverb meaning "minimum, at the minimum", focusing on quantity.
  • Yêu cầu tối thiểu là bằng tốt nghiệp. (The minimum requirement is a graduation certificate.)

Synonyms

• Sớm: Soon (emphasizing quickness rather than a short wait).
• Chẳng bao lâu nữa: Not much longer (a more literary synonym for "soon").
• Tối thiểu, ít nhất: At least, at the minimum (synonyms for the second meaning).

Related Phrases

• Đợi chút nữa: Wait a little more.
  • Đợi chút nữa là đến giờ ăn trưa. (Wait a little more and it will be lunchtime.)
• Cố gắng ít nữa: Try a little harder/more.
  • Anh cần cố gắng ít nữa. (You need to try a little harder.)

Related Idioms

• "Còn nước còn tát, ít nữa còn hy vọng": While there's life, there's hope. (Literally: While there's water, there's bailing; at least there's still hope.)
  • Đừng bỏ cuộc, ít nữa còn hy vọng. (Don't give up, at least there's still hope.)

adv

1. at least