trước đây

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The Vietnamese word "trước đây" is an adverb that means "formerly" or "before." It is used to refer to a time that is earlier than the present or a specific point in time.

Usage Instructions:

• "Trước đây" is commonly used to talk about past events, experiences, or situations.
• You can use it at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence to indicate that something happened in the past.

Examples:

1. Simple Usage:

   • "Trước đây, tôi sống ở Hà Nội."
   • (Before, I lived in Hanoi.)

2. In Context:

   • "Trước đây, công việc của tôi rất bận rộn, nhưng bây giờ thì thoải mái hơn."
   • (Formerly, my job was very busy, but now it is more relaxed.)

Advanced Usage:

• In more complex sentences, "trước đây" can be used to compare past and present situations.
• Example: "Trước đây, tôi không thích ăn rau, nhưng bây giờ tôi ăn rất nhiều."
  • (Formerly, I didn't like eating vegetables, but now I eat a lot.)

Word Variants:

• "Trước" (before): This word can be used alone to refer to the concept of being earlier in time.
• "Đây" (this): This word can indicate something present or nearby in time or space.

Different Meanings:

• While "trước đây" primarily refers to a time in the past, it can also imply a sense of change or a shift from what was previously known or experienced.

Synonyms:

• "Ngày xưa" (in the past) - often used to refer to a distant past.
• "Hồi trước" (back then) - used similarly to "trước đây," often in a conversational context.

Academic

adv

1. formerly, before