Learning Vietnamese can be a rewarding experience, especially when you start understanding the nuances of the language. One area that often confuses learners is the difference between “now” and “later.” In Vietnamese, these concepts are expressed using the words **bây giờ** and **sau**. In this article, we’ll delve deep into these terms, understand their uses, and see how they can be applied in daily conversations.

Understanding **bây giờ** (now)

**Bây giờ** means “now” or “at this moment” in Vietnamese. It is used to refer to the present time, something happening right now or in the immediate moment.

bây giờ – now, at this moment.
Tôi đang học tiếng Việt bây giờ.

In the sentence above, **bây giờ** indicates that the action of studying Vietnamese is happening at the present moment.

Usage of **bây giờ** in sentences

Using **bây giờ** is quite straightforward as it directly translates to “now.” Here are a few more examples to help you understand its application:

bây giờ – now, at this moment.
Bây giờ là mấy giờ?

bây giờ – now, at this moment.
Anh ấy đang làm việc bây giờ.

Understanding **sau** (later)

**Sau** means “later” or “after” in Vietnamese. It is used to refer to a future time, something that will happen after the present moment.

sau – later, after.
Chúng ta sẽ gặp nhau sau.

In this sentence, **sau** indicates that the meeting will take place at some point in the future.

Usage of **sau** in sentences

Using **sau** involves referring to future events or actions. Here are a few examples to illustrate its use:

sau – later, after.
Tôi sẽ gọi lại sau.

sau – later, after.
Chúng tôi sẽ đi du lịch sau.

Combining **bây giờ** and **sau**

Sometimes, you might find it useful to combine both words to contrast present and future actions. Here are a few examples to show how this can be done:

bây giờ – now, at this moment.
sau – later, after.
Bây giờ tôi bận, chúng ta nói chuyện sau nhé.

bây giờ – now, at this moment.
sau – later, after.
Bây giờ tôi đang ăn, sau đó tôi sẽ làm bài tập.

Common phrases with **bây giờ** and **sau**

To get more comfortable with these terms, it helps to learn common phrases that incorporate **bây giờ** and **sau**.

bây giờ hoặc không bao giờ – now or never.
Chúng ta phải làm việc này bây giờ hoặc không bao giờ.

ngay bây giờ – right now.
Tôi cần bạn giúp tôi ngay bây giờ.

từ bây giờ – from now on.
Từ bây giờ, tôi sẽ chăm chỉ hơn.

sau này – later on.
Sau này, chúng ta sẽ có nhiều thời gian hơn.

sau khi – after.
Sau khi ăn xong, chúng tôi sẽ đi dạo.

sau đó – after that.
Chúng tôi sẽ ăn tối, sau đó đi xem phim.

Practice exercises

To solidify your understanding, try translating these sentences into Vietnamese using **bây giờ** and **sau**:

1. I am watching a movie now.
2. We will talk later.
3. She is busy now, but she will call you later.
4. Right now, I am at home.
5. After dinner, we will go for a walk.

By practicing these sentences, you will get a better grasp of how **bây giờ** and **sau** are used in context.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between **bây giờ** and **sau** is crucial for effective communication in Vietnamese. **Bây giờ** helps you talk about the present moment, while **sau** allows you to discuss future plans or events. By practicing and incorporating these words into your daily conversations, you will become more fluent and confident in your Vietnamese language skills.

Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to use these words frequently in your conversations. Happy learning!