dài
[zaːj˨˩]
The Vietnamese word for long is dài.
Dài is an adjective used to describe something that has much distance from one point to another. It can be used for physical dimensions, such as the length of legs or a dress, as well as metaphorically to describe a long period of time, such as a long night.
Meaning: having much distance from one point to another (adj)
Which one should you use?
While dài refers to length or distance, you should use cao to describe height or vertical length.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something is 'too long', place the word quá after dài to form dài quá. To say something is 'longer than', use dài hơn.
Did you know?
- The word dài is used in the expression dài cổ, which literally means 'long neck' but describes the feeling of waiting impatiently for someone.
- If you want to describe a 'long' story or a 'long' speech in a way that implies it is tedious or rambling, you might use 'dài dòng' instead of just 'dài'.
- The word dài originates from the Proto-Vietic root *jaːr and is cognate with the word jəal² in the Chut language.
Examples in context
- Chân bạn dài thật.Your legs are really long.This example shows how to use dài to describe the length of legs.Tatoeba #9132146 by dotheduyet1999, translation #8346710 by CK
- Đêm cũng dài quá ha?Well, the night is quite long, isn't it?This sentence illustrates the metaphorical use of dài to describe the length of time during a night.Tatoeba #5766 by khoaharp, translation #1559 by CK
- Váy dài đang là mốt.Long dresses stayed in fashion.This sentence uses dài to describe the length of a dress.Tatoeba #1573228 by trieuho, translation #29316 by trieuho
- Mái tóc của cô ấy rất dài.Her hair is very long.
- Cái hàng đợi này dài quá.This line/queue is too long.
- Tóc bạn dài vậy, đẹp đấy!Your hair is so long, it looks beautiful!
- Một thời gian dàiA long time
- Mấy lâu rồi?How long has it been?
- Chiếc váy này dài hơn cái kia.This dress is longer than that one.
- Đây là một cây bút dài.This is a long pen.
- Cái cột này dài hơn cái kia.This pole is longer than that one.
- trong thời gian dàiDuring a long period of time
- Trong thời gian dài, tôi học được nhiều điều quan trọng.During a long period of time, I have learned many important things.
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lan and Nam are talking about a road trip.
- LanĐường đi đến đó dài không anh?Is the road to get there long?
- NamĐường khá dài, mất ba tiếng đấy.The road is quite long, it takes three hours.
- LanEm sợ đi đường dài sẽ mệt.I'm afraid traveling a long distance will be tiring.
- NamChúng ta sẽ nghỉ ngơi dọc đường.We will take rests along the way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “long” translations and entries dài, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dài, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
