Definition

Adverbial phrase: - For a while now / all this time: Refers to a period of time starting from a recent, unspecified point in the past and continuing up to the present moment. It emphasizes the duration of an ongoing action or state.

Usage Examples

• Adverbial phrase:
  • Nãy giờ chúng tôi đang bàn về việc học. (We have been talking about studying for a while now.)
  • Nãy giờ anh ta ngồi im. (He has been sitting quietly all this time.)
  • Nãy giờ tôi tìm chìa khóa. (I have been looking for my keys for the past while.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to express slight impatience or surprise when realizing the duration of an ongoing situation.
  • Nãy giờ bạn ở đâu? Tôi đợi mãi. (Where have you been all this time? I've been waiting forever.)
• Often appears in questions or statements reflecting on recent actions.
  • Nãy giờ cô ấy làm gì vậy? (What has she been doing all this time?)

Variants and Related Words

• Ban nãy (adverbial phrase): a little while ago, earlier (refers to a finished past moment, not an ongoing period).
  • Anh ấy đã đến ban nãy. (He came a little while ago.)

Synonyms

• All along: for the entire period until now.
• For the past while: during the recent period leading to now.

Notes on Meaning

• "Nãy giờ" specifically links a recent past to the present. It is not used for distant past or future periods.
• The phrase implies the speaker's perspective is firmly in the present, looking back at the immediate past.

1. For a short while, for a moment
   • Nãy giờ chúng tôi đang bàn về việc học
     We have been talking about study for a short while