mãi
[maːj˦ˀ˥]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(adverb) for a long time; unceasingly; always; all the time
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
mưa rơi mãiit kept raining nonstop
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(adverb) until; till
Examples
Mãi hai giờ sáng mới ngủ được.It was not until two a.m. did I manage to sleep.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(adverb) all the way
Examples
Nhà tôi ở mãi bên kia sông.My house is all the way on the other side of the river.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “mãi” mean?
(adverb) for a long time; unceasingly; always; all the time
Is “mãi” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.