ngày mai
[ŋaj˨˩ maːj˧˧]
The English word "tomorrow" is translated into Vietnamese as ngày mai. Wiktionary also lists mai.
Meaning: on the day after the present day (adv)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| ngày mai | [ŋaj˨˩ maːj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ŋaj˦˩ maːj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| mai | [maːj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [maːj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
Both forms are used as adverbs to refer to the day after the present day.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ngày mai is composed of ngày, meaning day and mai, meaning tomorrow or future.
Which one should you use?
ngày mai is the full phrase, while mai is a shortened version.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The shortened form mai is commonly used in casual spoken Vietnamese.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Vietnamese, the phrase ngày mai does not change its form to indicate the future tense. The adverb itself provides the necessary temporal context for the sentence.
Did you know?
- While mai can mean 'tomorrow', it is also the Sino-Vietnamese reading for the character meaning 'plum' (梅), showing how one sound can have completely different origins.
Examples in context
- Mai tôi sẽ thử.I'll try tomorrow.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of mai.Tatoeba #14028347 by leucammieuvu, translation #14026876 by carlosalberto
- Mai tôi sẽ ở đó.I'll be there tomorrow.Tatoeba #8974810 by dotheduyet1999, translation #261919 by CK
- Ngày mai hãy đến.Come tomorrow.Tatoeba #13338332 by leucammieuvu, translation #2111928 by CK
- Ngày mai chúng ta có một cuộc họp quan trọng.Tomorrow, we have an important meeting.
- 146 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hương and Hùng are planning a meeting.
- HươngNgày mai chúng ta gặp nhau nhé?Shall we meet tomorrow?
- HùngĐược, ngày mai tôi rảnh.Okay, I am free tomorrow.
- HươngVậy ngày mai gặp ở quán cà phê nhé.Then let's meet at the cafe tomorrow.
- HùngĐồng ý, hẹn gặp Hương ngày mai.Agreed, see you tomorrow, Hương.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tomorrow” translations and entries ngày mai, mai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mai, ngày, ngày mai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
