Position
Trên
On / above
Use position words to locate objects.
Southern Vietnamese
Vietnamese Directions Phrases
Ask and understand simple directions.
Quick answer
In one sentence
Use these direction phrases to ask where something is, decide if you can walk, and understand simple left/right answers.
- Use this page on foot, in taxis, inside buildings, and when maps are not enough.
- Start with: Ở đâu?, Gần đây không?, Đi bộ được không?.
Mini lesson
Use this when...
Use this page on foot, in taxis, inside buildings, and when maps are not enough.
Phrase guide shortcuts
Useful quick answers
Day 25 directions focus
Intro: location and direction words
Learn where things are, then practice the short direction chunks people use in buildings, streets, and taxis.
Direction tip
Bên trái means on the left. Add bên to make left/right clearer.
Clear left/right
Bên trái
On the left
Bên makes trái/phải clearer.
Movement
Đi thẳng
Go straight
Short commands are normal for directions.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 25 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: trong, ngoài, trên, dưới, trái, phải, trước, sau, gần, xa, giữa
Play each position word, repeat once, then save the ones you need for your room or commute.
Inside
Trong
Inside / in
Position word for inside.
Outside
Ngoài
Outside / out
Position word for outside.
Above
Trên
On / above
Position word for on or above.
Below
Dưới
Under / below
Position word for under or below.
Left
Trái
Left
Use bên trái for on the left.
Right
Phải
Right
Use bên phải for on the right.
Front
Trước
In front / before
Position word for in front.
Back
Sau
Behind / after
Position word for behind.
Near
Gần
Near
Position word for near.
Far
Xa
Far
Position word for far.
Middle
Giữa
Middle / between
Position word for the middle.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 25 speaking skill
Speaking skill: give simple directions
Separate location from movement: bên trái is on the left, while rẽ trái is turn left.
Go straight
Đi thẳng
Go straight
A very common direction answer.
Turn left
Rẽ trái
Turn left
Use for movement, not position.
Turn right
Rẽ phải
Turn right
Use for movement, not position.
On the left
Bên trái
On the left
Use for location.
On the right
Bên phải
On the right
Use for location.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 25 grammar focus
Grammar note: ở + position
Use object + ở + position/place to say where something is.
Sách + ở + trên bàn
Sách ở trên bàn
The book is on the table
The book is on the table.
Túi + ở + dưới ghế
Túi ở dưới ghế
The bag is under the chair
The bag is under the chair.
Ly + ở + trong bếp
Ly ở trong bếp
The cup is in the kitchen
The cup is in the kitchen.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 25 speaking exercise
Exercise: describe 10 things in your room
Use these models, then describe ten real objects around you with ở + position.
1
Phone / table
Điện thoại ở trên bàn
The phone is on the table
2
Shirt / closet
Áo ở trong tủ
The shirt is in the closet
3
Shoes / table
Giày ở dưới bàn
The shoes are under the table
4
Door / left
Cửa ở bên trái
The door is on the left
5
Lamp / room middle
Đèn ở giữa phòng
The lamp is in the middle of the room
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 41 directions focus
Intro: basic directions
Ask for directions and understand go straight, turn left, turn right.
Direction tip
Đi thẳng means go straight; gần means near or close.
Ask route
Tôi muốn hỏi đường đến chợ
I want to ask the way to the market
A polite way to start.
Left turn
Đi thẳng rồi rẽ trái
Go straight, then turn left
A common route instruction.
Right turn
Đi thẳng rồi rẽ phải
Go straight, then turn right
Swap trái/phải as needed.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 41 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: rẽ, thẳng, qua, đến, đèn đỏ, ngã tư, ngã ba, vòng xuyến, cầu
Practice direction and street landmark words before building full route lines.
turn
Rẽ
turn
Direction verb.
straight
Thẳng
straight
Use in đi thẳng.
pass
Qua
pass / go past
Useful in route instructions.
arrive/to
Đến
to / arrive
Use before a destination.
red light
Đèn đỏ
traffic light
Literally red light.
intersection
Ngã tư
intersection
Four-way intersection.
three-way
Ngã ba
three-way intersection
Three-way intersection.
roundabout
Vòng xuyến
roundabout
Traffic circle.
bridge
Cầu
bridge
Common landmark.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 41 speaking skill
Speaking skill: ask directions to a place
Ask how to get to a market, school, or park using a simple route frame.
Market
Tôi muốn hỏi đường đến chợ
I want to ask the way to the market
Polite way to start asking directions.
School
Đi từ nhà đến trường
Go from home to school
Home-to-place model.
Park
Đi từ nhà đến công viên
Go from home to the park
Home-to-place model.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 41 grammar focus
Grammar note: Đi thẳng rồi rẽ trái/phải
Rồi links route steps: go straight, then turn left or right.
Left
Đi thẳng rồi rẽ trái
Go straight, then turn left
Go straight, then turn left.
Right
Đi thẳng rồi rẽ phải
Go straight, then turn right
Go straight, then turn right.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 41 route exercise
Exercise: ask directions from home to 3 places
Use the models, then swap in three real places near your home.
1
Market
Đi từ nhà đến chợ
Go from home to the market
Home-to-place model.
2
School
Đi từ nhà đến trường
Go from home to school
Home-to-place model.
3
Park
Đi từ nhà đến công viên
Go from home to the park
Home-to-place model.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 42 directions focus
Intro: detailed directions and distance
Ask how far, how long, and understand approximate distance or time.
Distance tip
Khoảng means about or approximately and is very common.
How far?
Chợ cách đây bao xa?
How far is the market from here?
Ask distance to the market.
Meters
Cách đây khoảng năm trăm mét
About five hundred meters from here
Use khoảng for about.
Minutes
Cách đây khoảng mười phút
About ten minutes from here
Distance can be expressed as time.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 42 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: bao xa, bao lâu, mét, ki-lô-mét, phút, cách, khoảng, dọc theo, đối diện, bên cạnh
Practice distance, time, and location words for more detailed directions.
how far
Bao xa
how far
Distance question phrase.
how long
Bao lâu
how long
Time-duration question phrase.
meter
Mét
meter
Distance unit.
kilometer
Ki-lô-mét
kilometer
Distance unit.
minute
Phút
minute
Time unit.
away from
Cách
away from / separated by
Used in distance sentences.
about
Khoảng
about / approximately
Very common estimate word.
along
Dọc theo
along
Use for following a road.
opposite
Đối diện
opposite
Useful landmark relation.
next to
Bên cạnh
next to
Useful nearby relation.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 42 speaking skill
Speaking skill: estimate distance and time
Say a place is about 500 meters away or about 10 minutes away.
500 meters
Cách đây khoảng năm trăm mét
About five hundred meters from here
Use khoảng for about.
1 kilometer
Cách đây khoảng một ki-lô-mét
About one kilometer from here
A longer distance estimate.
10 minutes
Cách đây khoảng mười phút
About ten minutes from here
Time as distance.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 42 grammar focus
Grammar note: Cách đây + distance/time
Cách đây points back from here: about this far away or this much time away.
Distance
Cách đây khoảng năm trăm mét
About five hundred meters from here
About 500 meters from here.
Time
Cách đây khoảng mười phút
About ten minutes from here
About 10 minutes from here.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 42 roleplay
Exercise: ask directions 5 times
Practice five short direction questions with distance, time, and nearby landmarks.
1
How far
Chợ cách đây bao xa?
How far is the market from here?
Ask distance from here.
2
How long
Đi mất bao lâu?
How long does it take to go?
Ask travel time.
3
Along
Đi dọc theo đường này
Go along this road
Detailed route instruction.
4
Opposite
Đối diện ngân hàng
Opposite the bank
Landmark relation.
5
Next to
Bên cạnh khách sạn
Next to the hotel
Landmark relation.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Real situations
Ask location
Start with where, then ask if it is near or walkable.
These are survival questions for city movement.
Understand answers
Left, right, straight, and crossing the street are the core answers.
You do not need every landmark word at A0.
Fix being lost
When lost, say it directly and ask again.
Use maps and gestures together with the phrase.
All phrases
Play normal audio first, then slow audio, then save only the phrases you will actually need.
Ở đâu?
Where is it?
Core location question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ỞodippingDip slightly, then recover.đâudaulevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Ở→ơ hỏi Ở
đâu→đờ âu đâu
Gần đây không?
Is it near here?
Useful on foot.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
GầnganfallingKeep the final n short.đâydaylevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.khôngkhonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Gần→gờ ân gân huyền Gần
đây→đờ ây đây
không→khờ ông không
Đi bộ được không?
Can I walk there?
Good for city travel.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.bộboheavyDrop the voice low and short.đượcduocheavyĐ starts like English d; do not say z.khôngkhonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Đi→đờ i đi
bộ→bờ ô bô nặng bộ
được→đờ ươc đươc nặng được
không→khờ ông không
Bên trái
On the left
Direction answer.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BênbenlevelKeep the final n short.tráitrairisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Bên→bờ ên bên
trái→trờ ai trai sắc trái
Bên phải
On the right
Direction answer.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BênbenlevelKeep the final n short.phảiphaidippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Bên→bờ ên bên
phải→phờ ai phai hỏi phải
Đi thẳng
Go straight
Very common direction.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.thẳngthangdippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Đi→đờ i đi
thẳng→thờ ăng thăng hỏi thẳng
Rẽ trái
Turn left
Useful in taxis and walking directions.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
RẽrebrokenUse a short broken rise.tráitrairisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Rẽ→rờ e re ngã Rẽ
trái→trờ ai trai sắc trái
Rẽ phải
Turn right
Useful in taxis and walking directions.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
RẽrebrokenUse a short broken rise.phảiphaidippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Rẽ→rờ e re ngã Rẽ
phải→phờ ai phai hỏi phải
Qua đường
Cross the street
Useful direction word.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
QuaqualevelQu is closer to kw than English q.đườngduongfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Qua→quờ a qua
đường→đờ ương đương huyền đường
Gần đây
Near here
Common answer.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
GầnganfallingKeep the final n short.đâydaylevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Gần→gờ ân gân huyền Gần
đây→đờ ây đây
Xa không?
Is it far?
Ask before walking.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
XaxalevelKeep the voice steady and level.khôngkhonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Xa→xờ a xa
không→khờ ông không
Tôi bị lạc
I am lost
Use when you need help.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.bịbiheavyDrop the voice low and short.lạclacheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
bị→bờ i bi nặng bị
lạc→lờ ac lac nặng lạc
Tôi muốn hỏi về đường đi
I want to ask about directions
Use this to open a directions conversation.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.muốnmuonrisingKeep the final n short.hỏihoidippingDip slightly, then recover.vềvefallingLet the voice fall gently.đườngduongfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.đidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
muốn→mờ uôn muôn sắc muốn
hỏi→hờ oi hoi hỏi hỏi
về→vờ ê vê huyền về
đường→đờ ương đương huyền đường
đi→đờ i đi
Bạn giúp tôi về đường đi được không?
Can you help me with directions?
A polite help request.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BạnbanheavyKeep the final n short.giúpgiuprisingLift the voice upward.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.vềvefallingLet the voice fall gently.đườngduongfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.đidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.đượcduocheavyĐ starts like English d; do not say z.khôngkhonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Bạn→bờ an ban nặng Bạn
giúp→giờ up giup sắc giúp
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
về→vờ ê vê huyền về
đường→đờ ương đương huyền đường
đi→đờ i đi
được→đờ ươc đươc nặng được
không→khờ ông không
Tôi chưa hiểu phần này
I do not understand this part yet
Use this when details are unclear.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.chưachualevelKeep the voice steady and level.hiểuhieudippingDip slightly, then recover.phầnphanfallingKeep the final n short.nàynayfallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
chưa→chờ ưa chưa
hiểu→hờ iêu hiêu hỏi hiểu
phần→phờ ân phân huyền phần
này→nờ ay nay huyền này
Trong
Inside / in
Position word for inside.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TrongtronglevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Trong→trờ ong trong
Ngoài
Outside / out
Position word for outside.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
NgoàingoaifallingStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Vietnamese spelling
Ngoài→ngờ oai ngoai huyền Ngoài
Trên
On / above
Position word for on or above.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TrêntrenlevelKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Trên→trờ ên trên
Dưới
Under / below
Position word for under or below.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
DướiduoirisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Dưới→dờ ươi dươi sắc Dưới
Trái
Left
Use bên trái for on the left.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TráitrairisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Trái→trờ ai trai sắc Trái
Phải
Right
Use bên phải for on the right.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
PhảiphaidippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Phải→phờ ai phai hỏi Phải
Trước
In front / before
Position word for in front.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TrướctruocrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Trước→trờ ươc trươc sắc Trước
Sau
Behind / after
Position word for behind.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
SausaulevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Sau→sờ au sau
Gần
Near
Position word for near.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
GầnganfallingKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Gần→gờ ân gân huyền Gần
Xa
Far
Position word for far.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
XaxalevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Xa→xờ a xa
Giữa
Middle / between
Position word for the middle.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
GiữagiuabrokenUse a short broken rise.
Vietnamese spelling
Giữa→giờ ưa giưa ngã Giữa
Sách ở trên bàn
The book is on the table
Ở + position pattern.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
SáchsachrisingLift the voice upward.ởodippingDip slightly, then recover.trêntrenlevelKeep the final n short.bànbanfallingKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Sách→sờ ach sach sắc Sách
ở→ơ hỏi ở
trên→trờ ên trên
bàn→bờ an ban huyền bàn
Túi ở dưới ghế
The bag is under the chair
Ở + position pattern.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TúituirisingLift the voice upward.ởodippingDip slightly, then recover.dướiduoirisingLift the voice upward.ghếgherisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Túi→tờ ui tui sắc Túi
ở→ơ hỏi ở
dưới→dờ ươi dươi sắc dưới
ghế→gờ ê ghê sắc ghế
Ly ở trong bếp
The cup is in the kitchen
Ở + position pattern.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
LylylevelKeep the voice steady and level.ởodippingDip slightly, then recover.trongtronglevelKeep the voice steady and level.bếpbeprisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Ly→lờ y ly
ở→ơ hỏi ở
trong→trờ ong trong
bếp→bờ êp bêp sắc bếp
Điện thoại ở trên bàn
The phone is on the table
Room description model.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐiệndienheavyĐ starts like English d; do not say z.thoạithoaiheavyDrop the voice low and short.ởodippingDip slightly, then recover.trêntrenlevelKeep the final n short.bànbanfallingKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Điện→đờ iên điên nặng Điện
thoại→thờ oai thoai nặng thoại
ở→ơ hỏi ở
trên→trờ ên trên
bàn→bờ an ban huyền bàn
Áo ở trong tủ
The shirt is in the closet
Room description model.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ÁoaorisingLift the voice upward.ởodippingDip slightly, then recover.trongtronglevelKeep the voice steady and level.tủtudippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Áo→ao sắc Áo
ở→ơ hỏi ở
trong→trờ ong trong
tủ→tờ u tu hỏi tủ
Giày ở dưới bàn
The shoes are under the table
Room description model.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
GiàygiayfallingLet the voice fall gently.ởodippingDip slightly, then recover.dướiduoirisingLift the voice upward.bànbanfallingKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Giày→giờ ay giay huyền Giày
ở→ơ hỏi ở
dưới→dờ ươi dươi sắc dưới
bàn→bờ an ban huyền bàn
Cửa ở bên trái
The door is on the left
Room description model.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CửacuadippingDip slightly, then recover.ởodippingDip slightly, then recover.bênbenlevelKeep the final n short.tráitrairisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Cửa→cờ ưa cưa hỏi Cửa
ở→ơ hỏi ở
bên→bờ ên bên
trái→trờ ai trai sắc trái
Đèn ở giữa phòng
The lamp is in the middle of the room
Room description model.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐèndenfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.ởodippingDip slightly, then recover.giữagiuabrokenUse a short broken rise.phòngphongfallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Đèn→đờ en đen huyền Đèn
ở→ơ hỏi ở
giữa→giờ ưa giưa ngã giữa
phòng→phờ ong phong huyền phòng
Tôi muốn hỏi đường đến chợ
I want to ask the way to the market
Polite way to start asking directions.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.muốnmuonrisingKeep the final n short.hỏihoidippingDip slightly, then recover.đườngduongfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.đếndenrisingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.chợchoheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
muốn→mờ uôn muôn sắc muốn
hỏi→hờ oi hoi hỏi hỏi
đường→đờ ương đương huyền đường
đến→đờ ên đên sắc đến
chợ→chờ ơ chơ nặng chợ
Đi thẳng rồi rẽ trái
Go straight, then turn left
Rồi links the route steps.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.thẳngthangdippingDip slightly, then recover.rồiroifallingLet the voice fall gently.rẽrebrokenUse a short broken rise.tráitrairisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Đi→đờ i đi
thẳng→thờ ăng thăng hỏi thẳng
rồi→rờ ôi rôi huyền rồi
rẽ→rờ e re ngã rẽ
trái→trờ ai trai sắc trái
Đi thẳng rồi rẽ phải
Go straight, then turn right
Swap trái and phải as needed.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.thẳngthangdippingDip slightly, then recover.rồiroifallingLet the voice fall gently.rẽrebrokenUse a short broken rise.phảiphaidippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Đi→đờ i đi
thẳng→thờ ăng thăng hỏi thẳng
rồi→rờ ôi rôi huyền rồi
rẽ→rờ e re ngã rẽ
phải→phờ ai phai hỏi phải
Rẽ
turn
Direction verb.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
RẽrebrokenUse a short broken rise.
Vietnamese spelling
Rẽ→rờ e re ngã Rẽ
Thẳng
straight
Use in đi thẳng.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ThẳngthangdippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Thẳng→thờ ăng thăng hỏi Thẳng
Qua
pass / go past
Useful in route instructions.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
QuaqualevelQu is closer to kw than English q.
Vietnamese spelling
Qua→quờ a qua
Đến
to / arrive
Use before a destination.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐếndenrisingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Đến→đờ ên đên sắc Đến
Đèn đỏ
traffic light
Literally red light.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐèndenfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.đỏdodippingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Đèn→đờ en đen huyền Đèn
đỏ→đờ o đo hỏi đỏ
Ngã tư
intersection
Four-way intersection.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
NgãngabrokenStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.tưtulevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Ngã→ngờ a nga ngã Ngã
tư→tờ ư tư
Ngã ba
three-way intersection
Three-way intersection.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
NgãngabrokenStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.babalevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Ngã→ngờ a nga ngã Ngã
ba→bờ a ba
Vòng xuyến
roundabout
Traffic circle.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
VòngvongfallingLet the voice fall gently.xuyếnxuyenrisingKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Vòng→vờ ong vong huyền Vòng
xuyến→xờ uyên xuyên sắc xuyến
Cầu
bridge
Common landmark.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CầucaufallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Cầu→cờ âu câu huyền Cầu
Đi từ nhà đến chợ
Go from home to the market
Home-to-place model.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.từtufallingLet the voice fall gently.nhànhafallingLet the voice fall gently.đếndenrisingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.chợchoheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Đi→đờ i đi
từ→tờ ư tư huyền từ
nhà→nhờ a nha huyền nhà
đến→đờ ên đên sắc đến
chợ→chờ ơ chơ nặng chợ
Đi từ nhà đến trường
Go from home to school
Home-to-place model.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.từtufallingLet the voice fall gently.nhànhafallingLet the voice fall gently.đếndenrisingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.trườngtruongfallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Đi→đờ i đi
từ→tờ ư tư huyền từ
nhà→nhờ a nha huyền nhà
đến→đờ ên đên sắc đến
trường→trờ ương trương huyền trường
Đi từ nhà đến công viên
Go from home to the park
Home-to-place model.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.từtufallingLet the voice fall gently.nhànhafallingLet the voice fall gently.đếndenrisingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.côngconglevelKeep the voice steady and level.viênvienlevelKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Đi→đờ i đi
từ→tờ ư tư huyền từ
nhà→nhờ a nha huyền nhà
đến→đờ ên đên sắc đến
công→cờ ông công
viên→vờ iên viên
Chợ cách đây bao xa?
How far is the market from here?
Ask distance from here.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ChợchoheavyDrop the voice low and short.cáchcachrisingLift the voice upward.đâydaylevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.baobaolevelKeep the voice steady and level.xaxalevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Chợ→chờ ơ chơ nặng Chợ
cách→cờ ach cach sắc cách
đây→đờ ây đây
bao→bờ ao bao
xa→xờ a xa
Cách đây khoảng năm trăm mét
About five hundred meters from here
Use khoảng for about.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CáchcachrisingLift the voice upward.đâydaylevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.khoảngkhoangdippingDip slightly, then recover.nămnamlevelKeep the voice steady and level.trămtramlevelKeep the voice steady and level.métmetrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Cách→cờ ach cach sắc Cách
đây→đờ ây đây
khoảng→khờ oang khoang hỏi khoảng
năm→nờ ăm năm
trăm→trờ ăm trăm
mét→mờ et met sắc mét
Cách đây khoảng mười phút
About ten minutes from here
Time as distance.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CáchcachrisingLift the voice upward.đâydaylevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.khoảngkhoangdippingDip slightly, then recover.mườimuoifallingLet the voice fall gently.phútphutrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Cách→cờ ach cach sắc Cách
đây→đờ ây đây
khoảng→khờ oang khoang hỏi khoảng
mười→mờ ươi mươi huyền mười
phút→phờ ut phut sắc phút
Bao xa
how far
Distance question phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BaobaolevelKeep the voice steady and level.xaxalevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Bao→bờ ao bao
xa→xờ a xa
Bao lâu
how long
Time-duration question phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BaobaolevelKeep the voice steady and level.lâulaulevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Bao→bờ ao bao
lâu→lờ âu lâu
Mét
meter
Distance unit.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
MétmetrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Mét→mờ et met sắc Mét
Ki-lô-mét
kilometer
Distance unit.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Ki-lô-métki-lo-metrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Ki-lô-mét→cờ ilômet kilômet sắc Ki-lô-mét
Phút
minute
Time unit.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
PhútphutrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Phút→phờ ut phut sắc Phút
Cách
away from / separated by
Used in distance sentences.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CáchcachrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Cách→cờ ach cach sắc Cách
Khoảng
about / approximately
Very common estimate word.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
KhoảngkhoangdippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Khoảng→khờ oang khoang hỏi Khoảng
Dọc theo
along
Use for following a road.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
DọcdocheavyDrop the voice low and short.theotheolevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Dọc→dờ oc doc nặng Dọc
theo→thờ eo theo
Đối diện
opposite
Useful landmark relation.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐốidoirisingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.diệndienheavyKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Đối→đờ ôi đôi sắc Đối
diện→dờ iên diên nặng diện
Bên cạnh
next to
Useful nearby relation.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BênbenlevelKeep the final n short.cạnhcanhheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Bên→bờ ên bên
cạnh→cờ anh canh nặng cạnh
Cách đây khoảng một ki-lô-mét
About one kilometer from here
A longer distance estimate.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CáchcachrisingLift the voice upward.đâydaylevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.khoảngkhoangdippingDip slightly, then recover.mộtmotheavyDrop the voice low and short.ki-lô-métki-lo-metrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Cách→cờ ach cach sắc Cách
đây→đờ ây đây
khoảng→khờ oang khoang hỏi khoảng
một→mờ ôt môt nặng một
ki-lô-mét→cờ ilômet kilômet sắc ki-lô-mét
Đi mất bao lâu?
How long does it take to go?
Ask travel time.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.mấtmatrisingLift the voice upward.baobaolevelKeep the voice steady and level.lâulaulevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Đi→đờ i đi
mất→mờ ât mât sắc mất
bao→bờ ao bao
lâu→lờ âu lâu
Đi dọc theo đường này
Go along this road
Detailed route instruction.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐidilevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.dọcdocheavyDrop the voice low and short.theotheolevelKeep the voice steady and level.đườngduongfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.nàynayfallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Đi→đờ i đi
dọc→dờ oc doc nặng dọc
theo→thờ eo theo
đường→đờ ương đương huyền đường
này→nờ ay nay huyền này
Đối diện ngân hàng
Opposite the bank
Landmark relation.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐốidoirisingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.diệndienheavyKeep the final n short.ngânnganlevelStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.hànghangfallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Đối→đờ ôi đôi sắc Đối
diện→dờ iên diên nặng diện
ngân→ngờ ân ngân
hàng→hờ ang hang huyền hàng
Bên cạnh khách sạn
Next to the hotel
Landmark relation.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BênbenlevelKeep the final n short.cạnhcanhheavyDrop the voice low and short.kháchkhachrisingLift the voice upward.sạnsanheavyKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Bên→bờ ên bên
cạnh→cờ anh canh nặng cạnh
khách→khờ ach khach sắc khách
sạn→sờ an san nặng sạn
Mini dialogue
You
Cho tôi hỏi, nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?
May I ask, where is the restroom?
Local
Bên trái.
On the left.
You
Gần đây không?
Is it near here?
Local
Đi thẳng rồi rẽ phải.
Go straight then turn right.
Practice ladder
- 1Play the first phrase at normal speed once.
- 2Play it slowly, then repeat it aloud without reading English.
- 3Cover the Vietnamese and recall it from the situation.
- 4Save only the phrases you would actually need this week.
- 5Review saved phrases tomorrow before learning new ones.
Common mistakes
- Do not ask a long address question if Ở đâu? is enough.
- Do not confuse bên trái with rẽ trái; one is location, one is movement.
- Do not assume walking is possible; ask Đi bộ được không?
Cultural notes
- Locals may answer with gestures; watch the hand direction, not only the words.
- Short direction phrases are normal and not impolite.
Meaning check
Quick practice
You want to ask if you can walk there. Which phrase fits?
Finish this phrasebook
Ready to mark complete?
Mark complete only after you have listened, practiced, and saved at least one useful phrase. Then continue straight to the next task.
Week 4 · Day 25 in the 90-day path
Listen to at least 3 phrases
Use normal audio first, then slow audio.
Save at least 1 phrase
Only save phrases you would actually reuse.
Finish the quiz or practice task
Check that you can recall the idea, not only read it.
Mark this page complete
Completion is manual so you stay in control.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Explore related pages
FAQ
How should I practice this phrasebook?
Start with the Learn these first section, listen at normal speed, repeat slowly, then save only the phrases you expect to use.
Do I need to memorize every phrase on this page?
No. Memorize the first urgent or high-frequency phrases, then use scenarios and spaced review to add the rest gradually.