Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Since always, from time immemorial: Indicates that something has been the case for a very long time, extending from the past up to the present. It emphasizes the continuity and enduring nature of a state or action.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Truyền thống này đã có hướng lại trong làng chúng tôi. (This tradition has existed in our village since time immemorial.)
  • Ngọn núi ấy đã sừng sững ở đó hướng lại. (That mountain has stood there majestically since always.)

Advanced Usage Notes

• Rare and Literary Usage: The word "hướng lại" is considered rare and is primarily used in literary, poetic, or formal contexts to convey a sense of timelessness or ancient origin. It is not commonly used in everyday modern spoken Vietnamese.
• Position in Sentence: Typically functions as an adverbial phrase placed at the end of a clause to modify the verb, emphasizing the duration of the action or state.

Variants and Related Words

• Từ xưa đến nay: From the past until now; a more common phrase with a similar meaning of continuity over time.
• Từ ngàn xưa: Since ancient times; emphasizes a very distant, ancient past.
• Xưa nay: (Used as an adverb) Hitherto, until now; refers to the period from the past to the present.

Synonyms

• Từ trước tới giờ: From before until now.
• Vốn dĩ: Originally, inherently (suggests an inherent, long-standing quality).
• Xưa nay: As mentioned above.

Antonyms

• Mới đây: Recently.
  • Tập quán mới đây (A recent custom) contrasts with tập quán hướng lại (a custom since always).