hướng lại
Definition
- 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).