ăn sáng
[ʔan˧˧ saːŋ˧˦]
ăn sáng is the Vietnamese way to say breakfast.
The phrase ăn sáng is versatile and can mean both the noun 'breakfast' and the verb phrase 'to eat breakfast' depending on the context of your sentence.
Meaning: first meal of the day (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb ăn (to eat) and the noun sáng (morning), literally translating to 'eat morning'.
Which one should you use?
While ăn sáng is commonly used to describe the act of eating the morning meal, if you need the specific noun for the meal itself, use bữa sáng.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase functions as a verb phrase meaning 'to eat the morning meal'.
Did you know?
- The word ăn is used in many Vietnamese idioms to describe things other than food, such as ăn ảnh meaning 'photogenic', which literally translates to 'eating the photo'.
- Because ăn sáng can be used to ask 'Have you eaten breakfast?', it often serves as a common, polite way to check in on someone's well-being.
- In Vietnam, the culture of ăn sáng often involves a street food ritual where people sit on tiny plastic stools on the sidewalk to eat.
Examples in context
- Tom đã ăn sáng.Tom had breakfast.This sentence is useful for showing how to use ăn sáng in a past tense context.Tatoeba #13640326 by leucammieuvu, translation #2870747 by Amastan
- Em ăn sáng chưa?Have you had breakfast?This sentence shows how to use ăn sáng when asking a question about whether someone has eaten.Tatoeba #5767767 by yippe, translation #2432207 by loghaD
- Họ từng ăn sáng.They used to have breakfast.This sentence demonstrates the use of ăn sáng to describe a past habit.Tatoeba #8834970 by dotheduyet1999, translation #8834964 by carlosalberto
- Tôi muốn ăn phở sáng nay.I want to eat phở for breakfast this morning.
- Bữa sáng ở Việt Nam thật ngon và đủ dưỡng chất.Breakfast in Vietnam is delicious and nutritious.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Chi are deciding what to do in the morning.
- ChiMinh ơi, anh muốn đi ăn sáng không?Minh, do you want to go eat breakfast?
- MinhĐược chứ, Chi muốn ăn gì?Sure, what does Chi want to eat?
- ChiEm muốn đi ăn sáng ở tiệm phở.I want to go eat breakfast at the pho shop.
- MinhÝ kiến hay đó, đi thôi.That's a good idea, let's go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ăn sáng, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
