Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Continuously, without stopping: Describes performing an action in an uninterrupted, steady manner, often with one's hands.
   • Busily, constantly occupied: Indicates being engaged in a task or activity without pause or idleness.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Cô ấy làm việc nhà luôn tay cả buổi sáng. (She did housework non-stop all morning.)
  • Người thợ gốm tạo hình sản phẩm luôn tay. (The potter shapes the product continuously.)
  • Trong mùa lễ, các đầu bếp phải nấu nướng luôn tay. (During the holiday season, the chefs have to cook constantly.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm luôn tay": to work without a break.

  • Để kịp deadline, anh ấy phải làm luôn tay. (To meet the deadline, he had to work without a break.)

• "luôn tay luôn chân": (idiomatic extension) to be constantly busy with both hands and feet; to be very industrious and active.

  • Bà chủ quán nhỏ lúc nào cũng luôn tay luôn chân. (The owner of the small shop is always bustling about.)

Variants and Related Words

• Liên tục (adv): Continuously, continually. (A more general synonym not limited to manual activity).
• Không ngừng tay (phrase): Without stopping one's hands; a near-identical phrase.

Synonyms

• Không ngớt tay: Without ceasing (using one's hands).
• Liên tục: Continuously.
• Không nghỉ: Without rest.

Related Phrases

• Thao tác luôn tay: To operate/manipulate continuously.
  • Công nhân vận hành máy thao tác luôn tay. (The worker operating the machine works it continuously.)

Related Idioms

• "Luôn tay luôn chân": As mentioned above, this common idiom emphasizes being constantly in motion and very busy.
  • Dịp Tết, mẹ tôi bận rộn luôn tay luôn chân. (During Tet, my mother is busy constantly on the go.)