Mấy giờ rồi?
[məj˧˦ zəː˨˩ zoj˨˩]word by word
The English phrase "what time is it?" is translated into Vietnamese as Mấy giờ rồi?
Mấy giờ rồi? is the standard, neutral way to ask for the time in most social situations. You can also use Bây giờ là mấy giờ? to be slightly more formal or explicit by adding Bây giờ là (Now is) to the beginning of the question.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Mấy giờ rồi? is composed of mấy (how many), giờ (hour/o'clock) and rồi (already/now).
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle rồi at the end of the sentence functions as a marker indicating a change in state, effectively turning 'what hour' into 'what time is it now'.
Did you know?
- The word giờ is a linguistic relative of the Chinese word 時 and shares a common root with the Japanese 時 (ji) and Korean 시 (si).
- The word mấy is used specifically for small numbers, usually under ten, which is why it is used for hours on a clock.
- In Central Vietnam, speakers often use the word chừ as a local variation of giờ when referring to the present time.
Examples in context
- Mấy giờ rồi?What time is it?
- Xin lỗi, mấy giờ rồi?Excuse me, what time is it?
Example conversation
Chi asks Tuấn for the time while waiting for a bus.
- ChiTuấn ơi, mấy giờ rồi?Tuấn, what time is it?
- TuấnBây giờ là ba giờ chiều.It is three o'clock in the afternoon.
- ChiCảm ơn anh.Thank you.
- TuấnKhông có gì.You're welcome.
