Definition

1. Conjunction:
   • Just at the moment when; precisely when; exactly as. Used to indicate that two events occur simultaneously or in immediate succession, emphasizing the coincidence in timing.

Usage Examples

• Conjunction:
  • Vừa khi nó đi ra thì bố nó đến. (Just as he went out, his father arrived.)
  • Vừa khi tôi đặt điện thoại xuống, nó đổ chuông. (The moment I put the phone down, it rang.)
  • Cơn mưa bắt đầu vừa khi chúng tôi về đến nhà. (The rain started just as we got home.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used in a two-clause structure with "vừa khi... thì..." (just when... then...) to sharply contrast or connect the timing of two actions.
  • Vừa khi cánh cửa đóng lại thì đèn tắt. (The instant the door closed, the lights went out.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngay khi (conj): Right when; immediately when. Often interchangeable, though "ngay khi" can feel slightly more immediate.

  • Ngay khi tôi nghe tin, tôi đã gọi cho bạn. (Right when I heard the news, I called you.)

• Vừa lúc (conj): Just at the time; a very close synonym to "vừa khi."

  • Anh ấy về đến vừa lúc chúng tôi chuẩn bị ăn tối. (He got back just as we were preparing dinner.)

Synonyms

• Just as: At the exact moment that.
• The moment (that): Immediately when something happens.
• Exactly when: Emphasizing precise simultaneity.

Related Idioms

• Vừa mới... thì đã...: A common correlative structure meaning "had just... when..." focusing on an action immediately followed by another.
  • Tôi vừa mới ngủ thì điện thoại đã reo. (I had just fallen asleep when the phone rang.)