Definition

1. Adverb:
   • On the occasion of, while having the opportunity: Used to indicate doing something conveniently or opportunistically when a suitable occasion arises.
   • By the way, incidentally: Used to introduce an additional, often related, point or action while discussing or doing something else.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Tôi đến thăm thành phố, sẵn dịp ghé qua nhà bạn cũ. (I visited the city, and on the occasion / by the way, I dropped by an old friend's house.)
  • Anh ấy gọi điện cho tôi, sẵn dịp hỏi thăm sức khỏe gia đình. (He called me, and incidentally, asked about my family's health.)
  • Chúng tôi đi công tác ở Đà Nẵng, sẵn dịp đi chơi biển. (We were on a business trip in Da Nang, and taking the opportunity, we went to the beach.)

Advanced Usage

• "Sẵn dịp... thì...": This structure is used to connect two actions, where the second is done opportunistically because of the first.
  • Sẵn dịp anh đến đây thì mình cùng đi ăn trưa nhé. (Since you're here / By the way, let's have lunch together.)
• It often implies spontaneity and convenience, suggesting the action is not the primary purpose but is conveniently added.

Variants and Related Words

• Sẵn tiện (adv): A very close synonym, also meaning "conveniently," "while at it," or "by the way." The usage is almost identical.
  • Đi chợ sẵn tiện mua cho mẹ ít trái cây. (Go to the market and while you're at it, buy some fruit for mom.)
• Nhân tiện (adv): Another common synonym meaning "taking the opportunity," "incidentally," or "by the way." It is slightly more formal than "sẵn dịp."
  • Nhân tiện, tôi muốn hỏi một câu. (By the way, I want to ask a question.)

Synonyms

• Tiện thể (adv): Conveniently, while one is at it.
• Nhân thể (adv): Taking the opportunity (similar to "nhân tiện").

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Sẵn đây: A casual phrase meaning "since we're here/on this topic," used similarly to introduce an additional point.
  • Sẵn đây tôi xin thông báo một việc. (Since we're here / Incidentally, I'd like to announce something.)
• Một công đôi việc: This idiom means "killing two birds with one stone." While not a direct synonym, it describes a similar concept of efficiently accomplishing an extra task on a given occasion, which is the essence of using "sẵn dịp."

adv

1. on the occasion of, by the way