Vietnamese is an increasingly popular language among learners worldwide. If you are planning to improve your Vietnamese skills for travel or business purposes, being familiar with basic words and phrases can help you progress more quickly. Let us help you learn Vietnamese words with this essential beginner vocabulary list.
Why You Should Learn Common Vietnamese Words
Mastering a few basic Vietnamese words has several advantages that you may appreciate:
More Accessible Alphabet
Unlike learning other Asian languages such as Chinese or Japanese, which require learners to be familiar with entirely new characters, Vietnamese uses the Latin alphabet, which is the common alphabet we use in the English language. This gives an advantage to beginners as they can start reading and writing faster.
Simpler Grammar
Vietnamese grammar is relatively simple to learn, with no verb conjugations, noun genders, or plural forms for objects.
Versatile Language
Vietnamese is considered a highly versatile language. This means that learners can express complex ideas using flexible word order and context, without needing to memorise the verb tenses or grammatical rules common in other languages.
Essential Vietnamese Greetings and Polite Expressions
- Hello: Xin Chào (pronounced zin chow)
- Thank you: Cảm Ơn (pronounced gam-um)
- Excuse me (if you accidentally bump into someone or need to get past them): Xin Lỗi (pronounced sin loy)
- Excuse me (when you need to get someone’s attention): Em ơi (pronounced em oy)
- Please: Vui Lòng (pronounced voo laow)
- How are you? Bạn khỏe không? (pronounced ban kwe khome)
- I’m fine: Tôi khỏe (pronounced toy kwe)
- My name is…: Tên tôi là… (pronounced ten toy la)
- You’re welcome: Không có gì (pronounced khong kaw zee)
- Nice to meet you: Rất vui được gặp bạn (pronounced r-uht voo-yee d-uh-k g-uh-p ban)
- Goodbye: Tạm biệt (pronounced taam byeet)
Everyday Vietnamese Words for Daily Conversations
- Yes: Vâng (pronounced vung)
- No: Không (pronounced khome)
- How much is this?: Cái này giá bao nhiêu? (pronounced kai nay zah bow nee-yuh)
- I’ll take it: Tôi sẽ lấy nó (pronounced toy sae lay no)
- Too expensive: Đắt quá (pronounced dat qua)
- Can it be cheaper?: Rẻ hơn được không? (pronounced zeh hun duoc khong)
- To buy: Mua (pronounced mua)
- To sell: Bán (pronounced ban)
- I want this one: Tôi muốn cái này (pronounced toy muon cai nay)
- Help!: Giúp tôi! (pronounced zoop toy)
Vietnamese Numbers, Food, and Travel Vocabulary
Numbers
- One: Một (pronounced moht)
- Two: Hai (pronounced hai)
- Three: Ba (pronounced ba)
- Four: Bốn (pronounced bon)
- Five: Năm (pronounced nam)
- Six: Sáu (pronounced sau)
- Seven: Bảy (pronounced bay)
- Eight: Tám (pronounced tam)
- Nine: Chín (pronounced chin)
- Ten: Mười (pronounced muoi)
- Eleven: Mười một (pronounced muoi mot)
- Twenty: Hai mươi (pronounced hai muoi)
- One hundred: Một trăm (pronounced mot tram)
- One thousand: Một nghìn (pronounced mot nghin)
Food
- Pho: Phở (pronounced fuh)
- Vietnamese sandwich: Bánh mì (pronounced ban mee)
- Tea: Trà (pronounced cha)
- Vegetables: Rau (pronounced zao)
- Meat: Thịt (pronounced tit)
- Seafood: Hải sản (pronounced hai san)
- Spicy: Cay (pronounced cai)
- Sweet: Ngọt (pronounced ngot)
- Delicious: Ngon (pronounced ngon)
- Wine: Rượu (pronounced ru-u)
- Beer: Bia (pronounced bee-uh)
- Coffee: Cà phê (pronounced cah-feh)
- Water, please: Cho tôi nước, vui lòng (pronounced choh toy nook, voo-y lawng)
- Check, please: Tính tiền, vui lòng (pronounced teen tien, voo-y lawng)
- I would like ___, please: Tôi muốn ___, vui lòng (pronounced toy moo-un ___, voo-y lawng)
Travel
- Shop: Cửa hàng (pronounced cua hang)
- Market: Chợ (pronounced cho)
- Money: Tiền (pronounced tien)
- Receipt: Hóa đơn (pronounced hwa don)
- One ticket to …: Một vé đến … (pronounced moht veh den …)
- Where is the bus?: Xe buýt ở đâu? (pronounced seh bweet uh zow?)
- Where is a taxi?: Taxi ở đâu? (pronounced tak-see uh zow?)
- Stop here: Dừng lại ở đây (pronounced zoong lai uh day)
How to Learn Vietnamese Words Faster
Although learning Vietnamese can be challenging, there are ways to help you become familiar with the language more quickly. Here are some tips on how to learn Vietnamese words:
Practise the Tones
As Vietnamese is a tonal language, each distinct tone can change the meaning of words entirely. Mastering the tones is crucial to strengthen your overall fluency and prevent misunderstandings. You can listen to native speakers or watch Vietnamese media to help you recognise the differences between each tone before using them in your own conversations.
Expose Yourself to Vietnamese Culture
Being immersed in Vietnamese culture can give you a more thorough and enjoyable learning experience. Watch Vietnamese movies, listen to songs, and read books or news to give you a clearer idea of how different phrases and words are used. If possible, build your network with native Vietnamese speakers so that you can participate in real-life conversations and grow your vocabulary bank.
Enrol in a Vietnamese Course
To learn Vietnamese words more effectively, enrolling in a Vietnamese course can give you a more structured and conducive learning setting. Classes taught by experienced tutors can provide opportunities for deeper learning with personalised feedback. You will also have plenty of time to engage in speaking sessions and other tasks that help you progress.
Join a Holistic Vietnamese Course at Stanford Language Centre
LearningVietnamese may seem challenging due to the new vocabulary and distinct tonal system, but with guidance and persistence, you can master the language to help you make the most of your studies, business, or travel in Vietnam.
If you are eager to increase your Vietnamese language proficiency, Stanford Language Centre offers a holistic approach with native teachers experienced in various Southeast Asian languages.Contact us today to register or learn more about our available courses!
