phút đâu

Trong phút đâu, cơn mưa rào bất ngờ ập đến.

Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Suddenly; all of a sudden: Refers to an event or action that happens in an instant, without warning or expectation.
   • In a moment; in a flash: Describes a very short, almost immeasurable, period of time in which something occurs.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Trời đang nắng, phút đâu mây đen kéo đến. (The sun was shining, then suddenly dark clouds rolled in.)
  • Cô ấy phút đâu khóc nức nở. (She suddenly burst into tears.)
  • Phút đâu anh ấy đứng dậy bỏ đi. (All of a sudden, he stood up and left.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is literary and somewhat poetic, often used in written narratives or descriptive speech to convey abruptness or swift change.

Variants and Related Words

• Bỗng nhiên (adv): suddenly, all of a sudden. A more common synonym.
• Đột nhiên (adv): suddenly, abruptly. Emphasizes the unexpected nature.
• Thình lình (adv): suddenly, all at once. Similar in tone to "phút đâu".

Synonyms

• Suddenly: happening quickly and without warning.
• All of a sudden: used to describe something unexpected that happens quickly.
• In an instant: occurring in a very brief moment.

Related Idioms

• Chớp nhoáng: in a flash; lightning-fast. While not identical, it shares the concept of something happening in an extremely short time.
  • Mọi việc kết thúc chớp nhoáng. (Everything ended in a flash.)