Definition

1. Verb:
   • To rotate, to take turns: To perform an action or duty one after another in a repeated sequence, allowing for alternating periods of activity and rest.
   • To alternate: To occur or act in succession, switching between two or more states, people, or actions.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hai y tá thay phiên trực đêm. (The two nurses take turns on night duty.)
  • Chúng tôi thay phiên lái xe trong chuyến đi dài. (We took turns driving during the long trip.)
  • Hai đội thay phiên tấn công và phòng thủ. (The two teams alternated between attacking and defending.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "thay phiên nhau" is very common and emphasizes the reciprocal or mutual nature of the action.
  • Các thành viên trong gia đình thay phiên nhau chăm sóc mẹ. (The family members took turns caring for their mother.)

Variants and Related Words

• Luân phiên (verb): to alternate, to rotate. Often used interchangeably with "thay phiên."

  • Họ luân phiên làm việc trong ba ca. (They work in three alternating shifts.)

• Thay ca (verb): to change shifts (often in a work context).

  • Công nhân thay ca lúc 6 giờ tối. (The workers change shifts at 6 p.m.)

Synonyms

• Alternate: To occur in turn repeatedly.
• Rotate: To take turns in a fixed order.
• Take turns: To do something one after another.

Related Idioms

• While "thay phiên" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the concept is central to phrases like:
  • "Đến lượt": to be one's turn.

    • Bây giờ đến lượt tôi phát biểu. (Now it's my turn to speak.)

verb

1. to rotate, to do by turns