Vietnamese Basic Words and Phrases

THE SCRIPTS

In Viet Nam, more than 80% of the population speak Vietnamese (or Kinh), the national language. Ethnic minorities have native languages. Three scripts have influenced Vietnam’s history:

- Han (Chinese) ideograms were used until the beginning of the 20th century.

- The Nom script, created between the 11th and 14th centuries, is deprived of Han script to transcribe the Vietnamese language.

- European missionaries in the 17th century used the Roman Alphabet to record the Vietnamese language and created Quoc Ngu script. After independence in 1945, Quoc Ngu has developed and been used as the official national language.

THE TONE

Vietnamese is a tonal language. Accents are used to denote six distinctive tones: “level” (ngang), “acute-angry” (sắc), “grave-lowering” (huyền), “smooth-rising”hỏi, “chesty-raised” (ngã), and “chesty-heavy” (nặng). In writing, one tone is represented as unmarked (a), four are indicated with diacritics marked on a vowel (á,à,ả, andã), and one is marked with a dot under a vowel (ạ). Let’s break down these individual tone marks.

THE ACCENTS

It is widely accepted that there are three regions in Vietnam and their accents: Northern, Central, and Southern accents. While Hanoi accent represents the northern accent, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) accent represents the southern accent, the accents of people from different regions in the Central are so different that it's hard to pick one as a representative. The Central accents are just similar enough so that Vietnamese people can recognize that this particular accent must be from the Central.

BASIC PHRASES FOR TOURISTS

You can find many English speakers in Vietnam, but there are no guarantees! So how about remember a few words to say or save this post somewhere

Don’t worry if you can’t pronounce the language correctly. Many Vietnamese vendors and citizens will respect you for taking the time to learn more about their language.

Below are the translations for common Vietnamese phrases, along with pronunciation helps in parentheses when necessary.

1. Greeting and Goodbye

• Hello: Xin chào! (sin chow!)

• Goodbye: Tạm biệt (tarm byeet)

2. Terms of Courtesy

• Thank you: Cảm ơn bạn (gahm un ban)

• Please: Làm ơn (lam uhhn)

• You’re welcome: Không có gì (khome co xi)

3. Yes and No

• Yes: Vâng (vung)

• No: Không (khome)

4. Good and Bad

• Good: Tốt (thote)

• Bad: Xấu (szoh)

5. Asking for Assistance

• Excuse me: Xin lỗi (seen loy)

• Can you help me?: Bạn có thể giúp tôi được không? (ban co teh zoop thoy duc khom?)

6. Pronouns

• I: Tôi

• You: Bạn

• Female (junior): Em

• Female (senior): Chị

• Male (junior): Em

• Male (senior): Anh

You’ll be forgiven if you make a mistake with pronouns! Plus, you can often use the “senior” versions, as in these examples of addressing wait staff:

• Excuse me (to waiter): Anh ỗi

• Excuse me (to waitress): Chị ỗi

7. Checking for English Language Speakers

• Can you speak English?: Bạn có thể nói tiếng Anh không? (ban co teh noy thien an khom)

8. Terms for Transactions

• I like: Tôi thích (thoy tick)

• How much?: Bao nhiêu? (baow nyew)

• Too expensive: Quá đắt (qwa dat)

• Can you reduce the price?: Bạn có thể giảm giá? (Ban co teh zam za)

9. Relative Sizes and Amounts

• Big: Lớn (lungh)

• Small: Nhỏ (N-yor)

• Medium: Vừa (vurh)

• Less: It hơn (Eet hahn)

• More: hơn (hahn)

10. More Courtesies

• How are you?: Bạn khỏe không? (ban kwe khome?)

• I’m fine, thank you!: Tôi khỏe, cám ơn! (thoy kwe cam on)

Use these phrases to be more charming to vendors and make a better deal.

11. Terms of Flattery

It’s possible to flatter vendors, but use these phrases sincerely and at your own risk:

• You are very beautiful: Bạn rất đẹp (ban zet dep)

• You are very handsome: Bạn rất đẹp trai (ban zet dep chai)

12. Restaurant Terms

• May I have the menu?: Tôi có thể có thực đơn không? (thoy co teh co tuck don khome)

• I would like to have this: Tôi muốn có cái này (thoy muhon co cai nay)

• Cold: Lạnh (langh)

• Hot: Nóng bức (non boo)

• No ice: Không có đá (khom co dar)

• No sugar: Không đường (khom dueng)

13. Common Locations

• Go to the airport: Đi đến sân bay (di den sun bay)

• Hotel: Khách sạn (khack san)

• Where is the ATM?: ATM ở đâu? (ATM urn dole)

14. Emergency Terms

• I am sick: Tôi bị ốm (toy bee ohm)

• I need to go to the hospital: Tôi cần đến bệnh viện (toy can den ben vien)

Reference:

Some information in this post has been adapted from

Vietnam Visa (https://vietnamvisa.govt.vn/blog/15-basic-vietnamese-phrases-for-tourists/)

Vietnamese Typography (https://vietnamesetypography.com/tone-marks/)