Definition

1. Adjective:

   • On time, punctual: Occurring or arriving at the scheduled or expected time; not late.
   • Timely, precise: Happening at the exact correct moment.

2. Adverb:

   • On time, punctually: In a manner that is on schedule; at the precise appointed time.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Anh ấy là một nhân viên rất đúng giờ. (He is a very punctual employee.)
  • Chuyến tàu đúng giờ là điều hiếm thấy. (A timely train is a rare sight.)

• Adverb:

  • Cuộc họp bắt đầu đúng giờ. (The meeting started on time.)
  • Xin hãy đến đúng giờ. (Please arrive punctually.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm việc đúng giờ": to work on schedule / to keep regular hours.

  • Công ty yêu cầu mọi người phải làm việc đúng giờ. (The company requires everyone to work on schedule.)

• "chạy đúng giờ" (for vehicles/schedules): to run on time.

  • Máy bay hiếm khi chạy đúng giờ trong mùa mưa bão. (Planes rarely run on time during the stormy season.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đúng hẹn (adj/adv): On time for an appointment/date; punctual. Often used interchangeably with "đúng giờ" but can imply a specific personal agreement.

  • Cô ấy luôn đến đúng hẹn. (She always arrives on time for appointments.)

• Chính xác (adj): Accurate, exact. While "chính xác" can refer to time, it has a broader meaning of precision in any measurement or detail.

  • Đồng hồ của anh ấy rất chính xác. (His watch is very accurate.)

Synonyms

• Punctual: Happening or doing something at the agreed or proper time.
• On time: Arriving or happening at the scheduled time.
• Timely: Done or occurring at a favorable or appropriate time.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Constructions)

• Giữ đúng giờ: To keep to the schedule / to be punctual.

  • Bí quyết thành công của anh ta là luôn giữ đúng giờ. (His secret to success is always keeping to the schedule.)

• Đến đúng giờ: To arrive on time.

  • Khách mời đều đã đến đúng giờ. (The guests all arrived on time.)

Related Idioms

• Giờ nào việc nấy: Literally "a time for everything"; to be methodical and do things at their proper time. This idiom emphasizes timeliness and order.

  • Ông ấy sống theo nguyên tắc "giờ nào việc nấy". (He lives by the principle "a time for everything".)

• Nhanh như chớp: Literally "fast as lightning"; used for something happening very quickly or instantly. While not directly about punctuality, it contrasts with delays.

  • Cô ấy trả lời câu hỏi nhanh như chớp. (She answered the question in a flash.)

1. precise time