nửa đêm
[nɨə˧˩ ʔɗem˧˧]
The English phrase "midnight" is expressed in Vietnamese as nửa đêm. Wiktionary also lists đêm.
Meaning: 12 o'clock at night exactly (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| nửa đêm | [nɨə˧˩ ʔɗem˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [nɨə˧˨ ʔɗem˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| đêm | [ʔɗem˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɗem˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
Nửa đêm is used to denote the specific point of midnight or the middle of the night, rather than just the general period of darkness.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase nửa đêm literally translates to "half night".
Which one should you use?
While nửa đêm refers specifically to the middle of the night (midnight), đêm is the general word for "night".
Did you know?
- The word đêm belongs to a small set of vocabulary, including the word for 'day' ngày, that only exists in the 'innovative Vietic' branch.
Examples in context
- Bây giờ là nửa đêm.It's midnight.This sentence is useful for stating that it is currently midnight using nửa đêm.Tatoeba #13380084 by leucammieuvu, translation #456183 by lukaszpp
- Giờ là gần nửa đêm.It's almost midnight.This sentence is useful for saying it is almost midnight using nửa đêm.Tatoeba #13380098 by leucammieuvu, translation #3736476 by CK
- Giờ là sau nửa đêm.It's after midnight.This sentence is useful for stating it is after midnight using nửa đêm.Tatoeba #13380099 by leucammieuvu, translation #2249014 by CK
- Tôi thường xuyên thức đến nửa đêm để hoàn thành công việc.I often stay awake until midnight to complete my work.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie over the phone.
- MaiPhim sẽ bắt đầu lúc nửa đêm.The movie will start at midnight.
- HùngLúc đó muộn quá rồi.That is too late.
- MaiHùng có muốn đi xem không?Hung, do you want to go see it?
- HùngKhông, mình muốn đi ngủ sớm.No, I want to go to sleep early.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “midnight” translations and entries nửa đêm, đêm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nửa, nửa đêm, đêm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
