Definition

1. Adverbial phrase:
   • Just at the moment / Just in time: Refers to an action or event occurring at a precisely opportune or critical moment, often implying perfect or fortunate timing that meets a need or avoids a problem.

Usage Examples

• Adverbial phrase:
  • Anh đến vừa lúc tôi cần giúp đỡ. (You arrived just at the moment I needed help.)
  • Cô ấy gọi điện vừa lúc tôi sắp ra khỏi nhà. (She called just as I was about to leave the house.)
  • Mưa rơi vừa lúc chúng tôi tìm được chỗ trú. (The rain fell just as we found shelter.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to emphasize the serendipity or critical nature of the timing. It often carries a connotation of relief or satisfaction that something happened neither too early nor too late.

Variants and Related Words

• Vừa kịp (adverbial phrase): just in time (often with a narrower focus on barely meeting a deadline or avoiding a negative outcome).

  • Tôi đến sân ga vừa kịp giờ tàu chạy. (I arrived at the platform just in time for the train's departure.)

• Vừa đúng lúc (adverbial phrase): right on time; synonymous with "vừa lúc" but can place slightly more emphasis on exact punctuality.

Synonyms

• Just then
• At the right moment
• Opportunely
• In the nick of time

Related Idioms

• Vừa ăn vừa lo: This idiom ("eating while worrying") describes a precarious situation. While not directly containing "vừa lúc," it shares the structural use of "vừa... vừa..." to connect simultaneous actions, contrasting with the timely singularity of "vừa lúc."
• The concept is central to the common expression "Thật là vừa lúc!" which translates to "That's perfect timing!" or "Just in time!"

1. just at the moment