In Vietnamese, we use mỗi to express “each”.
Structure
Place mỗi before the measure word of a noun to express “each”.
mỗi + measure word + noun
When the noun is understood from context, it’s acceptable to drop it.
mỗi + measure word
If the noun doesn’t have a measure word, place mỗi before the noun.
mỗi + noun
Examples
Although mỗi means “each”, sometimes it corresponds to “every” in English.
- mỗi cuốn sách
each book - mỗi con
each (animal) - mỗi người
each person - mỗi ngày
each day, every day, daily - mỗi quốc gia
each country - mỗi thứ một ít
a little bit of everything
Usage notes
Although it may seem redundant, in many cases, it’s necessary to use đều (“all“) in sentences with mỗi, otherwise it can sound unnatural.
For example, mỗi in time expressions:
- Mỗi ngày tôi ăn trứng. ❌
- Mỗi ngày tôi đều ăn trứng. ✅
I eat eggs everyday.
However, if the object comes with a specific quantity, or if the time expression comes after the verb (plus the object), đều is unnecessary (but it’s OK to add it):
- Mỗi ngày tôi ăn ba quả trứng. ✅
I eat three eggs everyday. - Tôi ăn trứng mỗi ngày. ✅
I eat eggs everyday.
The same thing applies to mỗi in the subject:
- Mỗi quyết định quan trọng. ❌
- Mỗi quyết định đều quan trọng. ✅
Each decision is important.
Similarly, if the object comes with a specific quantity, đều is unnecessary (but it’s OK to add it):
- Mỗi câu trả lời đúng được một điểm.
Each correct answer earns one point.