Meaning
The end of the day.
Cultural Background
In the countryside, 'evening' is marked by the 'үхэр буух' (cows coming down) or 'хонь хотлох' (sheep folding). Time is measured by animal movements. Evening traffic (оройн түгжрэл) is a major cultural touchstone. It's often used as a valid excuse for being 'оройтсон' (late). Mongolians avoid cutting hair or nails in the 'орой' (evening), as it is believed to shorten one's life or bring bad luck. The 'оройн цай' (evening tea) is a specific ritual where the freshest tea is made for the family and any travelers.
Greeting Window
Use 'Оройн мэнд' from roughly 5:00 PM until you leave a social gathering.
Don't be too literal
If you say 'Би орой байна', people will think you are literally an evening, not that you are late.
Meaning
The end of the day.
Greeting Window
Use 'Оройн мэнд' from roughly 5:00 PM until you leave a social gathering.
Don't be too literal
If you say 'Би орой байна', people will think you are literally an evening, not that you are late.
The '-хон' trick
Use 'Оройхон' to make your requests for meeting later sound more polite and less demanding.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Орой'.
Сайн байна уу? ______ мэнд!
We use the genitive form 'Оройн' to say 'Good evening'.
Which sentence means 'I am late'?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Оройтох' is the verb meaning 'to be late'.
Match the Mongolian phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the four most common uses of the root 'Орой'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Оройн хоолонд юу идэх вэ? B: _________.
The question asks what to eat for dinner, so 'Let's eat Tsuivan' is the logical answer.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesСайн байна уу? ______ мэнд!
We use the genitive form 'Оройн' to say 'Good evening'.
Choose the correct sentence:
'Оройтох' is the verb meaning 'to be late'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the four most common uses of the root 'Орой'.
A: Оройн хоолонд юу идэх вэ? B: _________.
The question asks what to eat for dinner, so 'Let's eat Tsuivan' is the logical answer.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsThere is no exact minute, but generally when the workday ends (around 5 or 6 PM).
Yes, but 'дээвэр' (roof) is more common for buildings. 'Орой' is for natural peaks or the very tip of a spire.
It is neutral-formal. You can use it with your boss or a stranger.
Use the past tense: 'Би оройтсон'.
Related Phrases
Оройн мэнд
specialized formGood evening
Оройтох
builds onTo be late
Үдэш
similarLate evening/Nightfall
Шөнө
contrastNight
Оройхон
specialized formA bit late / towards evening
