Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| mát | [maːt̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [maːk̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| mát mẻ | [maːt̚˧˦ mɛ˧˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [maːk̚˦˧˥ mɛ˧˨] (Huế, narrow) |
The primary meaning of these terms refers to a temperature that is slightly low and pleasant. You can use the verb phrase làm mát to mean cooling something down or providing cooling. Please note that in Vietnamese, 'cool' can also be used as slang to describe something impressive, such as Chất for 'cool' or Xịn for 'dope'.
Which one should you use?
Use mát to describe a pleasant and refreshing coolness. This is distinct from lạnh, which is used when describing temperatures that are cold or chilly. The form mát mẻ is a reduplicative version specifically used to describe an atmosphere or an environment that feels pleasantly cool.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form mát mẻ is a reduplicative form used to describe an atmosphere or environment.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, the concept of 'cooling' is closely tied to the traditional medicine theory of 'hot' and 'cold' properties in foods. Certain foods are eaten to làm mát or cool the internal body balance.
- The word mát descends from the Proto-Vietic root *t-maːc, marking its deep historical lineage within the language family.
- The term mát mẻ is a reduplicative form of mát. This linguistic pattern is common in Vietnamese to soften a meaning or describe a general atmosphere rather than a specific object.
Examples in context
- Trời thường có gió và mát vào mùa thu.The weather's often windy and cool in autumn.This sentence uses mát to describe the weather in autumn.Tatoeba #13615179 by leucammieuvu, translation #13614945 by araneo
- Tôi nghe nói làm mát phần gáy khi trời nóng rất công hiệu.I hear that it's good to cool the back of your neck when it's hot outside.This sentence uses mát in the context of cooling a part of the body.Tatoeba #5772438 by yippe, translation #1701417 by Scott
- Buổi biểu diễn tuyệt vời!The performance was marvelous!
- Bộ đồ này chất!This outfit is cool!
- Bài hát này đỉnh!This song is awesome!
- Chiếc điện thoại này xịn phết!This phone is really dope!
- Nước này uống mát quá.This water is so cool to drink.
Example conversation
Hùng and Lan are sitting in a cafe on a hot afternoon.
- HùngTrà đá này mát thật đấy.This iced tea is really cool.
- LanHùng thấy dễ chịu hơn chưa?Do you feel more comfortable now, Hùng?
- HùngỪ, uống vào thấy mát cả người.Yes, drinking it makes my whole body feel cool.
- LanVậy thì tốt quá.That's great then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cool” translations and entries mát, mát mẻ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mát, mát mẻ, mẻ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
