# Lần: times / how often in Vietnamese (A2)

> Lần means "time", as in "three times". The number goes in front: một lần (once), hai lần (twice), mấy lần (a few times).

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/lan-times/ · Updated 2026-10-17

**times / how often**

Pattern: `[verb] + mấy lần? · Một tuần + [verb] + mấy lần? · Bao lâu + [verb] + một lần? · [number] + lần + một + [unit]`

Level: A2 (our estimate) · Register: everyday

Typed without accents: lan, may lan mot

*Lần* means "time", as in "three times". The number goes in front: *một lần* (once), *hai lần* (twice), *mấy lần* (a few times). It follows the verb and its object: *Tôi đi Huế hai lần rồi.* I've been to Huế twice.

To ask how many times, put *mấy lần* in the same place: *Anh đi Huế mấy lần rồi?* *Bao nhiêu lần* is for a bigger number.

For how often, the period usually comes first and the count after the verb: *Một tuần chị đi bơi ba lần.* I go swimming three times a week. The question has the same shape: *Một tuần em đi bơi mấy lần?* *Mỗi tuần* (every week) works the same way.

For a longer gap, ask *Bao lâu … một lần?*: *Bao lâu em về quê một lần?* How often do you go back to your hometown? The answer turns it round: *Hai tháng một lần.* Once every two months.

*Lần* also names an occasion: *lần đầu* (the first time), *lần trước* (last time), *lần sau* (next time). For "usually" or "sometimes", use the how-often words before the verb, such as *thường*; *lần* is for counting.

## Examples

- Anh đi Huế mấy lần rồi? — How many times have you been to Huế?
- Hai lần rồi em. — Twice.
- Một tuần chị đi bơi ba lần. — I go swimming three times a week.
- Bao lâu em về quê một lần? — How often do you go back to your hometown?
- Dạ, khoảng hai tháng một lần. — About once every two months.

## Words in this pattern

- [lần](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/lan-time/#s_lan_time): time

## Compare

- [Each … (so much): mỗi + noun + amount](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/moi-each/): each
- [How often: thường, luôn, thỉnh thoảng before the verb](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/frequency-position/): frequency words
- [How long? bao lâu after the verb](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/bao-lau-how-long/): how long (duration)?
- [Twice as, three times as: gấp đôi, gấp ba](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/gap-doi-times/): X times as …

Previous in Time and when things happen: [Ever and never so far: … bao giờ chưa, chưa … bao giờ](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/chua-bao-gio-ever/)
Next in Time and when things happen: [Not any more: không … nữa](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/khong-nua-anymore/)

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