khi ấy
[xi˧˧ ʔəj˧˦]
In Vietnamese, "then" can be expressed in several ways depending on the context, with khi ấy being the default form. Wiktionary also lists khi đó and lúc đó.
Meaning: at that time (adv)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| khi ấy | [xi˧˧ ʔəj˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kʰɪj˧˧ ʔəj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| khi đó | [xi˧˧ ʔɗɔ˧˦] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
| lúc đó | [lʊwk͡p̚˧˦ ʔɗɔ˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [lʊwk͡p̚˦˧˥ ʔɗɔ˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| lúc ấy | [lʊwk͡p̚˧˦ ʔəj˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [lʊwk͡p̚˦˧˥ ʔəj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| hồi đó |
The various forms of this phrase are used to mean "at that time".
What does it mean word for word?
The word lúc means "moment" or "time", while đó means "that" and is used to point to a specific time previously mentioned.
Which one should you use?
The form hồi đó is more commonly used to refer to a distant, nostalgic or general period in the past (back then) rather than a specific moment. In contrast, lúc đó emphasizes a specific, precise moment in time. Khi ấy is slightly more literary or formal.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Cuộc sống hồi đó tốt hơn.Life was nicer back then.This sentence is useful for using hồi đó to discuss a general period in the past.Tatoeba #13896191 by leucammieuvu, translation #13896056 by Nuel
- Lúc đó Tom quẹt một que diêm rồi thắp lửa vào nến.Tom lit a match and then lit the candle with it.This sentence shows how to use lúc đó to emphasize a specific moment.Tatoeba #9034835 by dotheduyet1999, translation #2906786 by CK
- Nếu như mặt trời đột nhiên vụt tắt, 8 phút phải trôi qua trước khi chúng ta biết chuyện. Chỉ khi đó thì trái đất mới bị chìm trong bóng tối.If the Sun was to die suddenly, a further eight minutes would pass before we knew about it. Only then would Earth be thrown into darkness.This sentence demonstrates the use of khi đó to refer to a specific point in time.Tatoeba #11475622 by OneJanuary, translation #10987908 by sundown
- Tôi đã xem phim, sau đó tôi đi ăn.I watched a movie, then I went to eat.
- Ăn xong thì đi dạo một chút.After eating, then take a short walk.
Example conversation
Tuấn and Mai are reminiscing about their college days.
- TuấnKhi ấy, chúng ta còn rất trẻ.At that time, we were still very young.
- MaiĐúng vậy, khi ấy cuộc sống rất vui.That's right, life was very happy then.
- TuấnTôi nhớ mọi thứ khi ấy thật tuyệt.I remember everything was wonderful at that time.
- MaiTôi cũng nhớ những kỷ niệm khi ấy.I also remember those memories from then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “then” translations and entries khi ấy, lúc đó, lúc ấy, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (khi, đó) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries khi, khi ấy, lúc đó, lúc ấy, đó, ấy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
