Definition

1. Adverb:
   • At the same time, while you're at it: Indicates doing something conveniently or opportunistically along with another main action, without needing a separate or special effort.
   • Incidentally, by the way: Used to introduce a related action or remark that is done or mentioned conveniently.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Anh đi chợ à? Luôn tiện mua giúp tôi ít rau nhé. (Are you going to the market? While you're at it, could you buy some vegetables for me?)
  • Tôi đến thư viện trả sách, luôn tiện mượn thêm vài quyển mới. (I went to the library to return books and, at the same time, borrowed some new ones.)
  • Luôn tiện đây, tôi muốn hỏi bạn một câu. (By the way/Incidentally, I want to ask you a question.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to express a convenient, added action: The word emphasizes the efficiency of combining actions. The added action is secondary and benefits from the context of the primary action.
  • Đi công tác Sài Gòn, anh ấy luôn tiện ghé thăm gia đình. (On a business trip to Saigon, he conveniently dropped by to visit his family.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tiện thể (Adverb/Conjunction): Has a nearly identical meaning and usage to 'luôn tiện', often translated as "while you're at it" or "incidentally".
  • Tiện thể, bạn cho tôi xin số điện thoại. (Incidentally, could you give me your phone number?)
• Nhân tiện (Adjunction/Conjunction): Means "taking the opportunity", "while on the subject", or "by the way". It is very similar but can sometimes imply a stronger logical connection to the main topic.
  • Nhân tiện nói về du lịch, bạn đã đi Đà Lạt bao giờ chưa? (Speaking of travel, have you ever been to Da Lat?)

Synonyms

• Nhân thể: Taking the opportunity (similar to 'nhân tiện').
• Một thể: In one go, all at once (emphasizes doing things together).
• Thuận tiện: Convenient (an adjective describing a situation, not an adverb for an action).

Related Phrases

• Làm luôn một thể: To do it all in one go.
  • Dọn dẹp phòng khách xong, tôi làm luôn một thể cả phòng ngủ. (After cleaning the living room, I did the bedroom all in one go.)

Related Idioms

• Một công đôi việc: Literally "one effort, two tasks"; meaning to kill two birds with one stone. This idiom conveys a similar idea of efficiency as 'luôn tiện' but is a complete phrase describing a beneficial outcome.
  • Vừa tập thể dục vừa nghe tin tức thế này là một công đôi việc. (Exercising while listening to the news like this is killing two birds with one stone.)

1. như tiện thể