At what time? mấy giờ, first or last

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.