lâu nay

Lâu nay, cô ấy vẫn chăm sóc khu vườn nhỏ trước nhà.

Definition

1. Adverbial phrase:
   • For a long time until now / Lately: Refers to a period of time that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. It emphasizes the duration leading to "now."
   • These past days/months/years: Indicates the recent, extended period just before the present.

Usage Examples

• Adverbial phrase:
  • Lâu nay tôi rất bận. (I have been very busy for a long time.)
  • Lâu nay trời không mưa. (It hasn't rained for a long time.)
  • Anh ấy lâu nay vẫn làm việc ở đó. (He has been working there all this time.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to introduce a topic or state a situation that has been ongoing, often before making a new point or observation.
  • Lâu nay chúng ta chưa nói chuyện này. (We haven't talked about this for a long time [until now].)

Variants and Related Words

• Từ lâu: (Adverbial phrase) For a long time (often emphasizing the start point in the distant past).

  • Cô ấy từ lâu đã muốn đi du lịch. (She has wanted to travel for a long time.)

• Bấy lâu nay: (Adverbial phrase) All this time until now (similar to "lâu nay" with a slightly stronger emphasis on the entirety of the period).

  • Bấy lâu nay anh ấy vẫn im lặng. (He has remained silent all this time.)

Synonyms

• For a long time: Over an extended period.
• Lately: In the recent period (though "lately" can imply a shorter duration).
• All this time: Throughout the entire period until now.

Related Idioms

• Lâu nay ít thấy: (Idiomatic expression) Meaning "have not seen (someone/something) for a long time."
  • Lâu nay ít thấy anh đến câu lạc bộ. (We haven't seen you at the club for a long time.)