# mới meaning in Vietnamese: not until (A1)

> mới means “not until, only then” in Vietnamese. It can also mean new, just, only. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/moi-only-then/ · Updated 2026-10-18

**mới**: not until · new · just · only

Level: A1 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: moi

## 1. not until (adverb)

not until, only then

After a time: *mười giờ em mới đi làm*, I only came in at ten.

- Tám giờ anh mới dậy. — I didn't get up until eight.
- Làm xong bài tập con mới được đi chơi. — You can't go out until you've finished your homework.

Level: A1

Grammar: [Not until, only then: time + mới](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/moi-not-until/)

## 2. new (adjective)

After the noun: *xe mới*, a new motorbike.

- Điện thoại mới của chị đẹp quá. — Your new phone is lovely.
- Saigon: Đây là nhà mới của tụi em. | Hà Nội: Đây là nhà mới của bọn em. — This is our new house.

Level: A1

## 3. just (adverb)

just, only recently

Before the verb; very common in everyday Saigon speech, often with *rồi* at the end.

- Anh mới về. — I've just got home.
- Em mới học tiếng Việt. — I've only just started learning Vietnamese.

Level: A1

Grammar: [Just happened: vừa / mới / vừa mới](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/vua-moi-just/)

## 4. only (adverb)

Before a number, for 'only so few' or 'only so young': *Bé mới ba tuổi.*

- Con em mới ba tuổi. — My child is only three.
- Mới tám giờ mà. — It's only eight o'clock.

Level: A2

Grammar: [Only (so few, so young): mới + number](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/moi-only-number/)

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