# Mấy giờ: what time …? in Vietnamese (A1)

> To ask at what time something happens, use mấy giờ, literally "which hour". It can go at the start of the question, or at the end, usually with lúc (at)…

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/may-gio-what-time/ · Updated 2026-11-10

**what time …?**

Pattern: `Mấy giờ + [person] + [verb]? · [person] + [verb] + (lúc) mấy giờ?`

Level: A1 (our estimate) · Register: everyday

Typed without accents: may gio

To ask at what time something happens, use *mấy giờ*, literally "which hour". It can go at the start of the question, or at the end, usually with *lúc* (at) in front.

Both places work, but there is a lean. At the start, it is most often about something still to come, or something regular: *Mấy giờ chị đi làm?* What time do you go to work? At the end, it is common for something that has happened: *Tối qua em ngủ lúc mấy giờ?* What time did you go to bed last night? This is a habit, not a rule. When words like *tối qua* (last night) or *mai* (tomorrow) already show when, either place is fine: *Mai mình gặp lúc mấy giờ?* In everyday speech *lúc* is often left out at the end: *Em về mấy giờ?*

The answer can put the time first, or at the end after *lúc*: *Bảy giờ sáng chị đi.* *Em ngủ lúc mười hai giờ.* Add *sáng*, *chiều* or *tối* after the hour for morning, afternoon or evening.

To ask what time it is now, say *Mấy giờ rồi?* For the day rather than the hour, ask *khi nào* or *thứ mấy*.

## A common mistake

✗ Em về ở mấy giờ?

✓ Em về lúc mấy giờ?

*Ở* is for places. For "at" a time, use *lúc*, or no word at all: *Em về mấy giờ?*

## Examples

- Mấy giờ chị đi làm? — What time do you go to work?
- Bảy giờ sáng chị đi. — I leave at seven in the morning.
- Tối qua em ngủ lúc mấy giờ? — What time did you go to bed last night?
- Dạ, mười hai giờ. — At twelve.
- Mai mình gặp lúc mấy giờ? — What time shall we meet tomorrow?

## Compare

- [When? bao giờ / khi nào: first for the future, last for the past](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/bao-gio-when/): when?
- [Telling the time: giờ, rưỡi, kém](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/telling-time/): clock time

Previous in Asking questions: [Asking the price: bao nhiêu tiền](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/bao-nhieu-tien-price/)
Next in Asking questions: [Checking a statement: …, phải không?](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/phai-khong-tag/)

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