mệt mỏi
[met̚˧˨ʔ mɔj˧˩]
The English phrase "tired" is translated into Vietnamese as mệt mỏi. Wiktionary also lists mệt nhọc.
Meaning: in need of rest or sleep (adj)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| mệt mỏi | [met̚˧˨ʔ mɔj˧˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [met̚˨˩ʔ mɔj˧˨] (Huế, narrow) |
| mệt nhọc | [met̚˧˨ʔ ɲawk͡p̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [met̚˨˩ʔ ɲawk͡p̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
The term is used to describe a state of being in need of rest or sleep. In casual daily conversation, speakers often shorten mệt mỏi to just mệt.
What does it mean word for word?
mệt mỏi is a reduplicative compound where mệt means tired and mỏi means aching or weary.
Which one should you use?
mệt mỏi describes a state of being tired, whereas mệt nhọc often emphasizes the physical hardship or the strenuous nature of the work that caused the tiredness.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express being "very tired", you can add the adverb rất before mệt mỏi (making it rất mệt mỏi).
Did you know?
- While mệt mỏi is the standard word for 'tired', in modern Vietnamese youth slang, it is often used to describe being 'fed up' or 'exhausted' by a dramatic social situation or a person's behavior.
- The term mệt nhọc is frequently associated with the traditional image of the 'hard-working farmer' or 'laborer', evoking a sense of nobility in one's struggle rather than just a need for sleep.
- Because mỏi originates from the Proto-Vietic root *-mɔːs, it connects the modern concept of being 'aching' to ancient linguistic structures of the region.
Examples in context
- Chúng ta mệt mỏi.We were tired.This sentence shows how to use mệt mỏi to describe a group.Tatoeba #13640305 by leucammieuvu, translation #4394818 by CK
- Họ đều đã mệt mỏi.They were both tired.This sentence uses mệt mỏi to describe a group that was both tired.Tatoeba #10460171 by cheesr, translation #7070236 by Hybrid
- Tom trông có vẻ mệt mỏi nhưng vui vẻ.Tom looked tired, but happy.This sentence shows how mệt mỏi can be used to describe how someone looks.Tatoeba #4297337 by trieuho, translation #4297252 by Hybrid
- Tối qua tôi đi hát karaoke suốt đêm nên mệt quá.I went karaoke singing all night last night, so I'm really tired.
- Tôi đã luyện tập thể dục cực mệt, mà tôi còn mệt vãi.I had an extremely exhausting workout, and I'm still tired as hell.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Chi are talking after a long day of work.
- MinhHôm nay anh thấy mệt mỏi quá.I feel so tired today.
- ChiAnh nên đi nghỉ sớm đi.You should go to rest early.
- MinhAnh sẽ đi ngủ ngay bây giờ.I will go to sleep right now.
- ChiChúc anh ngủ ngon nhé.Good night to you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tired” translations and entries mệt mỏi, mệt nhọc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mệt mỏi, mệt nhọc, mỏi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
