Definition

Adverbial phrase: A long while; for a long time. It indicates a considerable and noticeable duration of time that has passed.

Usage

• giờ lâu is used to describe an action or state that has continued for an extended period. It often follows the verb it modifies.
• It is synonymous with hồi lâu and is commonly used in both spoken and written Vietnamese.

Examples

• (I have been standing and waiting for a long while.)
• (They have been talking for a long time and still haven't finished their conversation.)
• (He thought for a long while before making a decision.)

Advanced Usage

• Đã... giờ lâu: This structure emphasizes that the action started in the past and has been ongoing. It is similar to "have been... for a long time."
  • Cô ấy đã ra đi giờ lâu. (She left a long time ago / She has been gone for a long while.)
• Cả giờ lâu: Adding "cả" (whole, entire) intensifies the duration.
  • Chúng tôi ngồi chờ cả giờ lâu. (We sat waiting for a whole long time.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hồi lâu: An exact synonym with identical meaning and usage.
  • Ngồi im hồi lâu. (To sit silently for a long while.)
• Lâu: The core adjective meaning "long" (in terms of time). giờ lâu is an adverbial phrase built from this word.
• Khá lâu: Quite a long time.
• Bao lâu: How long? (interrogative).

Synonyms

• Lâu: Long, for a long time.
• Mãi: A long time, forever (can imply impatience).
• Đã lâu: For a long time (often used to state that something happened long ago).

Notes on Meaning

• The phrase focuses on the perceived length of time, often from the perspective of the speaker, and can imply that the duration felt lengthy or was significant.
• It is neutral but can sometimes carry a slight connotation of impatience or tedium depending on the context (e.g., waiting ).

1. (cũng nói hồi lâu) Long while
   • Đứng đợi giờ lâu
     To wait for a long while