sớm muộn
[səːm˧˦ muən˧˨ʔ]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(adverb) sooner or later; in time
Adverb
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
sớm muộn (gì) cũng bị công an bắtsooner or later the police will arrest (you/them)
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 ↗
Equivalents & related
Near equivalent
sooner or later
at some unspecified time in the future
English
Near equivalent
trước sau
(adverb) sooner or later; in time
Tiếng Việt · via sooner or later
Near equivalent
chẳng chóng thì chầy
sooner or later
Tiếng Việt · via sooner or later
Lighter cards are two steps away in the meaning graph — equivalents of equivalents, reached via the entry shown on the card.
Common questions
What does “sớm muộn” mean?
(adverb) sooner or later; in time
Is “sớm muộn” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.
What is the closest equivalent?
“sooner or later” (English) — near equivalent.