сайн
sajn/sæːɴ̟/
The English word 'good' translates to сайн (sajn) in Mongolian.
сайн is used to describe something that is pleasant or enjoyable. Depending on the context, it can function as an adjective meaning 'good' or as an adverb meaning 'well'.
Meaning: pleasant, enjoyable (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective сайн is invariant, meaning it does not change its form to agree with the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is sajn and the IPA is /sæːɴ̟/.
Did you know?
- In traditional Mongolian culture, the concept of 'good' is often tied to 'luck' or 'fortune'. The word сайн is used when choosing auspicious days or times to start a journey or a business venture.
- The word сайн is the foundation for the standard Mongolian greeting, Сайн байна уу?, which literally translates to 'Are you well?'
- When Mongolians want to say something is 'very good', they often repeat the word as сайн сайн. Reduplication is a common feature in Mongolian to add emphasis or nuance to a quality.
Examples in context
- Миний ах их сайн хүн.My older brother is a very good person.This sentence shows how to describe someone as a good person using сайн.Tatoeba #1252133 by altaar, translation #1873538 by CM
- Том бол маш сайн зохион байгуулагч.Tom is a very good manager.This sentence demonstrates the use of сайн to describe a manager.Tatoeba #10248671 by Naminania, translation #7544512 by CK
- Би маш сайн байна.I feel very good.This sentence illustrates the adverbial use of сайн to express feeling well.Tatoeba #9856379 by Alkrasnov, translation #736696 by Darkmaster
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they just watched.
- Оюункая OyunkayaЭнэ кино үнэхээр сайн байна.Ene kino ünekhээр sain baina.This movie is really good.
- Болд BoldТийм ээ, надад маш их таалагдлаа.Tiim ee, nadad mash ikh taalagdlaa.Yes, I liked it very much.
- Оюункая OyunkayaОюункая, чи бас сайн гэж бодож байна уу?Oyunkaya, chi bas sain gej bodoj baina uu?Oyunkaya, do you also think it is good?
- Болд BoldТийм ээ, Болд, үнэхээр гоё байсан.Tiim ee, Bold, ünekhээр goyo baisan.Yes, Bold, it was really great.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry сайн, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
