các tuần
[kaːk̚˧˦ twən˨˩]word by word
The English phrase "weeks" is translated into Vietnamese as các tuần.
các tuần refers to multiple periods of seven consecutive days. However, the word tuần can be used both for one week or multiple weeks without any modifications.
What does it mean word for word?
các tuần literally means "the weeks", where các is a plural marker and tuần means "week".
Which one should you use?
To express an indefinite small number of weeks, use mấy tuần instead of các tuần.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Vietnamese, the noun tuần does not change its form to indicate plurality. Instead, a quantifier like các is added before it.
Did you know?
- Vietnamese has a homonym where các can also mean a 'card' or 'menu' because it was borrowed from the French word 'carte'.
- The word tuần can also be used to describe a 'round' or a 'patrol', showing its connection to the idea of a cycle or movement.
Examples in context
- Tôi còn hai tuần nữa mới kết thúc dự án này.I still have two weeks left to finish this project.
- Mấy tuần rồi, tôi đã đi đến nhiều nơi thú vị.In the past few weeks, I have visited many interesting places.
Example conversation
Mai and Tuấn are discussing their work schedule.
- MaiTuấn, anh có rảnh vào các tuần tới không?Tuấn, are you free during the coming weeks?
- TuấnTôi không chắc, để tôi xem lại lịch đã.I'm not sure, let me check my calendar first.
- MaiChúng ta cần hoàn thành dự án này sớm.We need to finish this project soon.
- TuấnĐược rồi, tôi sẽ báo cho Mai biết sớm.Alright, I will let Mai know soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (các, tuần) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries các, tuần, CC BY-SA 4.0.
