{"id":5163,"date":"2026-09-08T15:32:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T06:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.vietcafe-learning.com\/material\/?p=5163"},"modified":"2026-09-08T15:32:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T06:32:16","slug":"grammar70","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.vietcafe-learning.com\/material\/grammar70\/","title":{"rendered":"Grammar 70: “Expressions indicating the speed\/passage of time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vietnamese has a wide variety of expressions to describe how quickly time passes. By learning to use them appropriately depending on the context\u2014from daily conversation to literary expressions\u2014you will be able to speak Vietnamese more naturally and fluently.
\nIn this lesson, we will introduce expressions for the speed of time, divided into three groups.<\/p>\n

\u2460 In the blink of an eye (Metaphorical and Literary Expressions)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

These expressions describe time passing in an instant, often using imagery such as the eyes or blinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expression<\/th>\nMeaning \/ Example Sentence<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ch\u1edbp m\u1eaft m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i<\/strong><\/td>\n(In the blink of an eye) In an instant. Very common, used to emphasize how quickly something happened.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Th\u1ea5m tho\u00e1t<\/strong><\/td>\n(Before you know it) Used when looking back on a long period, such as months or years, that has passed by quietly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
V\u00e8o m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i<\/strong><\/td>\n(In a flash \/ Whoosh) A casual expression. Used for short periods, like a vacation or an afternoon, that seem to fly by.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trong nh\u00e1y m\u1eaft<\/strong><\/td>\n(In a split second \/ In the blink of an eye) Similar to “ch\u1edbp m\u1eaft,” it emphasizes something happening instantly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
V\u1ee5t m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i<\/strong><\/td>\n(Suddenly \/ In a dart) Expresses a change or movement happening at a surprising speed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u2460 Ch\u1edbp m\u1eaft m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i<\/strong><\/span>, con trai t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 tr\u01b0\u1edfng th\u00e0nh r\u1ed3i.
\n\u2192 In the blink of an eye, my son has grown up.<\/p>\n

\u2461 Th\u1ea5m tho\u00e1t<\/strong><\/span> \u0111\u00e3 3 n\u0103m k\u1ec3 t\u1eeb khi t\u00f4i \u0111\u1ebfn Vi\u1ec7t Nam.
\n\u2192 Before I knew it, 3 years have passed since I came to Vietnam.<\/p>\n

\u2462 K\u1ef3 ngh\u1ec9 h\u00e8 tr\u00f4i qua v\u00e8o m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i<\/strong><\/span>.
\n\u2192 Summer vacation flew by in a flash.<\/p>\n

\u2463 Anh \u1ea5y \u0111\u00e3 gi\u1ea3i xong b\u00e0i to\u00e1n kh\u00f3 \u0111\u00f3 trong nh\u00e1y m\u1eaft<\/b><\/span>.
\n\u2192 He solved that difficult math problem in a split second.<\/p>\n

\u2464 Con m\u00e8o v\u1ee5t m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i<\/b> <\/span>\u0111\u00e3 nh\u1ea3y l\u00ean m\u00e1i nh\u00e0.
\n\u2192 The cat darted onto the roof in a flash.<\/p>\n

\u2461 Continuity of actions (Expressions for Conversation and Narration)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expression<\/th>\nMeaning \/ Example Sentence<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ch\u01b0a k\u1ecbp… \u0111\u00e3…<\/strong><\/td>\n(Before even having time to…, … already happened). Expresses surprise or a sense of being rushed when a new situation occurs before the previous action is completed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ngo\u1ea3nh \u0111i ngo\u1ea3nh l\u1ea1i<\/strong><\/td>\n(Before you know it \/ In the blink of an eye). Expresses the feeling of a significant amount of time passing while you were slightly distracted or focused on something else.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M\u1edbi \u0111\u00e2y m\u00e0…<\/strong><\/td>\n(It feels like just yesterday…). Expresses a sense of disbelief when something you thought happened very recently is actually already far in the past.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lo\u00e1ng m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i<\/strong><\/td>\n(In a flash \/ In an instant). Refers to an action being completed extremely quickly or a short amount of time passing all at once.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u2460<\/span> Ch\u01b0a k\u1ecbp<\/strong><\/span> \u0103n xong b\u00e1t c\u01a1m \u0111\u00e3<\/strong><\/span> h\u1ebft gi\u1edd ngh\u1ec9.
\n\u2192 Before I even finished my bowl of rice, my break was already over.<\/p>\n

\u2461<\/span> Ngo\u1ea3nh \u0111i ngo\u1ea3nh l\u1ea1i<\/strong>,<\/span> tr\u1eddi \u0111\u00e3 t\u1ed1i r\u1ed3i.
\n\u2192 Before I knew it (when I looked back), it was already dark outside.<\/p>\n

\u2462<\/span> M\u1edbi \u0111\u00e2y m\u00e0<\/strong> <\/span>\u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn T\u1ebft r\u1ed3i.
\n\u2192 It feels like just yesterday, but Tet (Lunar New Year) is already here.<\/p>\n

\u2463<\/span> Lo\u00e1ng m\u1ed9t c\u00e1i<\/strong><\/span>, anh \u1ea5y \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m xong h\u1ebft vi\u1ec7c.
\n\u2192 In a flash, he finished all of his work.<\/p>\n

\u2462 Formal Expressions and Expressions Showing Strong Emotion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

These are highly formal expressions used in writing, or phrases that emphasize the speed of a specific subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expression<\/th>\nMeaning \/ Example Sentence<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ch\u1eb3ng m\u1ea5y ch\u1ed1c<\/strong><\/td>\n“Before long” or “soon.” Used to predict that a future event is coming quickly.
\nCh\u1eb3ng m\u1ea5y ch\u1ed1c ch\u00fang ta s\u1ebd g\u1eb7p l\u1ea1i nhau.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nhanh nh\u01b0 th\u1ed5i<\/strong><\/td>\n“Growing like a weed” (literally: fast as the blowing wind). Primarily used when a child grows remarkably fast.
\n\u0110\u1ee9a b\u00e9 l\u1edbn nhanh nh\u01b0 th\u1ed5i.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u2460 N\u1ebfu c\u1ee9 \u0111\u00e0 n\u00e0y, ch\u1eb3ng m\u1ea5y ch\u1ed1c<\/b><\/span> ch\u00fang ta s\u1ebd \u0111\u1ebfn n\u01a1i.
\n\u2192 At this rate, we will arrive at our destination before long.<\/p>\n

\u2461 Th\u1eb1ng b\u00e9 l\u1edbn nhanh nh\u01b0 th\u1ed5i<\/b><\/span>.
\n\u2192 The boy grew up fast like a weed.<\/p>\n\n\n

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