tí nữa
Definition
- Adverb:
- In a short while; in a little bit; soon: Refers to a point in time very near in the future, emphasizing a brief delay.
- Almost; nearly; on the verge of: Indicates that something very nearly happened but did not, often expressing a close call or a narrow avoidance of an event.
Usage Examples
- Adverb (soon):
- Tí nữa tôi sẽ gọi lại. (I will call back in a little bit.)
- Chúng ta gặp nhau tí nữa nhé. (Let's meet each other soon.)
- Adverb (almost):
- Tí nữa thì tôi quên chìa khóa. (I almost forgot the keys.)
- Tí nữa thì xe đâm vào nhau. (The cars nearly crashed into each other.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used in informal, conversational Vietnamese. When meaning "almost," it is typically followed by
thì(then) to introduce the event that was narrowly avoided. - It can express a warning or a reminder about an imminent action or a missed danger.
Variants and Related Words
- Một tí nữa: A slightly more emphasized form meaning "just a little bit more" or "in just a moment."
- Chờ tôi một tí nữa thôi. (Wait for me just a little bit longer.)
- Suýt: A close synonym specifically for the "almost/nearly" meaning.
- Suýt nữa thì tôi trễ. (I was almost late.)
Synonyms
- Soon: in a short time.
- In a moment: very shortly.
- Almost: very nearly.
- Nearly: on the point of.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Tí nữa thì...: The standard construction for "almost..." or "was on the verge of..."
- Tí nữa thì tôi nói ra bí mật. (I was on the verge of telling the secret.)
adv
-
in a short while
