Dad
Đây là ba tôi
This is my dad
Start with a simple đây là introduction.
Southern Vietnamese
Vietnamese Family Phrases
Talk about family and understand common family words.
Quick answer
In one sentence
Vietnamese Family Phrases gives beginners a practical set of Southern Vietnamese phrases for social situations.
- Talk about family and understand common family words.
Day 16 family focus
Intro: family P1
Learn close family words first: parents, older siblings, younger siblings, and con as the child role.
Family tip
Southern Vietnamese often uses ba/má, while Northern Vietnamese often uses bố/mẹ. Learn both, then use the pair people around you use.
Mom
Đây là má tôi
This is my mom
Use má for Southern speech around family.
Family size
Gia đình tôi có bốn người
My family has four people
Use this to introduce the whole family.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 16 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: bố/ba, mẹ/má, anh, chị, em trai, em gái, con
Play each family word, repeat it once, then save the words that match your real family.
Dad
Northern/commonBố
Dad / father
Learn this so you recognize bố/mẹ families.
Dad
SouthernBa
Dad / father
Use ba if people around you use Southern family words.
Mom
Northern/commonMẹ
Mom / mother
Mẹ is widely understood.
Mom
SouthernMá
Mom / mother
Má is warm and common in Southern families.
Older brother
SiblingAnh
Older brother / older male
Also used as an older male address word.
Older sister
SiblingChị
Older sister / older female
Also used as an older female address word.
Younger brother
SiblingEm trai
Younger brother
Em + trai marks a younger male sibling.
Younger sister
SiblingEm gái
Younger sister
Em + gái marks a younger female sibling.
Child
RoleCon
Child
Con is the child role in relation to parents.
Ready for the next step?
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Day 16 speaking skill
Speaking skill: introduce your family
Use these as short models. Replace the family member or number with your real information.
Introduce dad
Đây là ba tôi
This is my dad
Point to a photo or family tree box.
Introduce mom
Đây là má tôi
This is my mom
Use the same đây là frame.
Older brother
Tôi có một anh trai
I have an older brother
Use tôi có... for a family member you have.
Younger sister
Tôi có một em gái
I have a younger sister
Reuse the same pattern with em gái.
Whole family
Gia đình tôi có bốn người
My family has four people
Say the family size clearly.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 16 grammar focus
Grammar note: con and parents
In a family sentence, con marks the child role. It is relational: someone is con in relation to parents.
Role word
con
Con
Child
Con means child when you are talking about parents and children.
Relationship chunk
con của ba mẹ
Con của ba mẹ
Child of the parents
Của links the child role to the parents.
Full sentence
Tôi là con của...
Tôi là con của ba mẹ tôi
I am the child of my parents
Use this to say I am the child of my parents.
Ready for the next step?
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Day 16 speaking exercise
Exercise: draw and label your family tree
Draw on paper. Do not upload names or photos. Label the people you want to practice, then read each label aloud.
Title your page
Cây gia đình của tôi
My family tree
Write this at the top of your paper.
Father box
Ba
Dad / father
Label dad as ba or bố.
Mother box
Má
Mom / mother
Label mom as má or mẹ.
Older brother box
Anh
Older brother / older male
Use anh for an older brother.
Older sister box
Chị
Older sister / older female
Use chị for an older sister.
Younger brother box
Em trai
Younger brother
Use em trai for a younger brother.
Younger sister box
Em gái
Younger sister
Use em gái for a younger sister.
Your box
Con
Child
Use con to mark yourself as the child.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 17 family focus
Intro: family P2
Move beyond parents and siblings. Today you will name grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the younger-relative role.
Kinship tip
Cô is usually an aunt on your dad's side, while dì is an aunt on your mom's side. Real families vary, so listen for the words each family uses.
Extended family
Họ hàng
Relatives / extended family
Use this broad word before naming exact relatives.
Grandfather
Ông
Grandfather / older man
Also a respectful word for an older man.
Grandmother
Bà
Grandmother / older woman
Listen for the falling tone: bà, not ba.
Ready for the next step?
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Day 17 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: ông, bà, cô, chú, bác, dì, cậu, cháu
Save the relatives you are most likely to mention. Pay special attention to bà, which is not the same as ba.
Grandfather
GrandparentÔng
Grandfather / older man
Grandfather or respectful older man.
Grandmother
GrandparentBà
Grandmother / older woman
Grandmother or respectful older woman.
Aunt
Dad's sideCô
Aunt on dad's side / older woman
Usually an aunt on your father's side.
Uncle
Dad's sideChú
Uncle on dad's side / younger male adult
Often a younger uncle on your father's side.
Older aunt/uncle
Older relativeBác
Older aunt or uncle / older adult
Often an older sibling of a parent.
Aunt
Mom's sideDì
Aunt on mom's side
Usually an aunt on your mother's side.
Uncle
Mom's sideCậu
Uncle on mom's side
Usually an uncle on your mother's side.
Younger relative
Role wordCháu
Grandchild / niece or nephew / younger relative
Grandchild, niece/nephew, or younger-relative role.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 17 speaking skill
Speaking skill: describe extended family
Practice useful chunks for relatives, then swap the person or side to match your own family.
Dad-side grandfather
Ông nội
Paternal grandfather
Say the side and the relative together.
Mom-side grandmother
Bà ngoại
Maternal grandmother
Ngoại points to your mother's side.
My dad-side aunt
Cô của tôi
My aunt on my dad's side
Use của tôi to make it personal.
My mom-side aunt
Dì của tôi
My aunt on my mom's side
Compare this with cô của tôi.
Younger-relative role
Tôi là cháu của ông bà tôi
I am my grandparents' grandchild
Use cháu when speaking from the younger side.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 17 grammar focus
Grammar note: paternal vs maternal side
Vietnamese kinship words often encode which side of the family someone belongs to. Start with the two side words.
Dad's side
bên nội
Bên nội
Dad's side of the family
Relatives connected through your father.
Mom's side
bên ngoại
Bên ngoại
Mom's side of the family
Relatives connected through your mother.
Dad-side aunt
cô của tôi
Cô của tôi
My aunt on my dad's side
A beginner-friendly map: cô is usually on dad's side.
Mom-side aunt
dì của tôi
Dì của tôi
My aunt on my mom's side
Dì is usually on mom's side.
Ready for the next step?
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Day 17 speaking exercise
Exercise: tell your family in 5 sentences
Say these five model sentences aloud. Then replace the people, places, or descriptions with your real family.
1
Gia đình tôi có ông bà
My family has grandparents
Start with grandparents or extended family.
2
Ông tôi ở Việt Nam
My grandfather is in Vietnam
Swap the location if needed.
3
Bà tôi rất vui
My grandmother is very cheerful
Describe one grandparent simply.
4
Tôi có một cô
I have an aunt on my dad's side
Say one dad-side relative.
5
Tôi có một dì
I have an aunt on my mom's side
Say one mom-side relative.
Ready for the next step?
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Day 51 family focus
Intro: extended family and describing people
Describe relatives by personality using người + adjective.
Personality tip
Người stands before personality: người tốt bụng.
Kind
Anh ấy là người tốt bụng
He is a kind person
Người + personality.
Funny
Chị ấy vui tính
She is funny
Short direct description.
Hard-working
Ba tôi chăm chỉ
My dad is hard-working
Use with family words.
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Day 51 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: hiền, dữ, vui tính, nghiêm túc, chăm chỉ, lười, thông minh, tốt bụng, hay giúp đỡ
Practice personality words for describing relatives naturally.
gentle
hiền
gentle
strict/fierce
dữ
strict or fierce
funny
vui tính
funny
serious
nghiêm túc
serious
hard-working
chăm chỉ
hard-working
lazy
lười
lazy
smart
thông minh
smart
kind
tốt bụng
kind
helpful
hay giúp đỡ
helpful
Ready for the next step?
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Day 51 speaking skill
Speaking skill: describe relatives by personality
Say one relative and one clear personality trait.
Mother
Mẹ tôi hiền
My mom is gentle
Father
Ba tôi chăm chỉ
My dad is hard-working
Sibling
Em tôi thông minh
My younger sibling is smart
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 51 grammar focus
Grammar note: Anh ấy là người + personality
Use là người before a personality trait when describing what someone is like.
He is kind
Anh ấy là người tốt bụng
He is a kind person
Anh ấy là người tốt bụng.
She is hard-working
Cô ấy là người chăm chỉ
She is a hard-working person
Cô ấy là người chăm chỉ.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 51 speaking exercise
Exercise: describe 3 relatives
Describe three relatives with one appearance detail and one personality trait.
1
Mother
Mẹ tôi đẹp và hiền
My mom is beautiful and gentle
2
Father
Ba tôi cao và chăm chỉ
My dad is tall and hard-working
3
Sibling
Em tôi trẻ và vui tính
My younger sibling is young and funny
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
All phrases
Play normal audio first, then slow audio, then save only the phrases you will actually need.
Bố
Dad / father
Common Northern/common word for dad.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BốborisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Bố→bờ ô bô sắc Bố
Ba
Dad / father
Common Southern word for dad.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BabalevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Ba→bờ a ba
Mẹ
Mom / mother
Common Northern/common word for mom.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
MẹmeheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Mẹ→mờ e me nặng Mẹ
Má
Mom / mother
Common Southern word for mom.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
MámarisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Má→mờ a ma sắc Má
Anh
Older brother / older male
Older brother, or an older male address term.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
AnhanhlevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Anh→anh
Chị
Older sister / older female
Older sister, or an older female address term.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ChịchiheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Chị→chờ i chi nặng Chị
Em trai
Younger brother
Younger male sibling.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
EmemlevelKeep the voice steady and level.traitrailevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Em→em
trai→trờ ai trai
Em gái
Younger sister
Younger female sibling.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
EmemlevelKeep the voice steady and level.gáigairisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Em→em
gái→gờ ai gai sắc gái
Con
Child
Child in relation to parents.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ConconlevelKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Con→cờ on con
Đây là ba tôi
This is my dad
Southern parent introduction.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐâydaylevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.làlafallingLet the voice fall gently.babalevelKeep the voice steady and level.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Đây→đờ ây đây
là→lờ a la huyền là
ba→bờ a ba
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
Đây là má tôi
This is my mom
Southern parent introduction.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ĐâydaylevelĐ starts like English d; do not say z.làlafallingLet the voice fall gently.mámarisingLift the voice upward.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Đây→đờ ây đây
là→lờ a la huyền là
má→mờ a ma sắc má
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
Tôi có một anh trai
I have an older brother
Simple sibling introduction.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.cócorisingLift the voice upward.mộtmotheavyDrop the voice low and short.anhanhlevelKeep the voice steady and level.traitrailevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
có→cờ o co sắc có
một→mờ ôt môt nặng một
anh→anh
trai→trờ ai trai
Gia đình tôi có bốn người
My family has four people
A simple family-size sentence.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
GiagialevelKeep the voice steady and level.đìnhdinhfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.cócorisingLift the voice upward.bốnbonrisingKeep the final n short.ngườinguoifallingStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Vietnamese spelling
Gia→giờ a gia
đình→đờ inh đinh huyền đình
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
có→cờ o co sắc có
bốn→bờ ôn bôn sắc bốn
người→ngờ ươi ngươi huyền người
Tôi là con của ba mẹ tôi
I am the child of my parents
Con is the child role in relation to parents.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.làlafallingLet the voice fall gently.conconlevelKeep the final n short.củacuadippingDip slightly, then recover.babalevelKeep the voice steady and level.mẹmeheavyDrop the voice low and short.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
là→lờ a la huyền là
con→cờ on con
của→cờ ua cua hỏi của
ba→bờ a ba
mẹ→mờ e me nặng mẹ
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
Con của ba mẹ
Child of the parents
A compact grammar chunk for the parent-child relationship.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ConconlevelKeep the final n short.củacuadippingDip slightly, then recover.babalevelKeep the voice steady and level.mẹmeheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Con→cờ on con
của→cờ ua cua hỏi của
ba→bờ a ba
mẹ→mờ e me nặng mẹ
Cây gia đình của tôi
My family tree
Use this title for the paper exercise.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CâycaylevelKeep the voice steady and level.giagialevelKeep the voice steady and level.đìnhdinhfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.củacuadippingDip slightly, then recover.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Cây→cờ ây cây
gia→giờ a gia
đình→đờ inh đinh huyền đình
của→cờ ua cua hỏi của
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
Họ hàng
Relatives / extended family
A broad word for relatives beyond parents and siblings.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
HọhoheavyDrop the voice low and short.hànghangfallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Họ→hờ o ho nặng Họ
hàng→hờ ang hang huyền hàng
Ông
Grandfather / older man
Grandfather, or a respectful word for an older man.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ÔngonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Ông→ông
Bà
Grandmother / older woman
Grandmother, or a respectful word for an older woman. This is bà with a falling tone, not ba for dad.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BàbafallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Bà→bờ a ba huyền Bà
Cô
Aunt on dad's side / older woman
Often your father's sister; also a respectful word for a woman around your parents' generation.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CôcolevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Cô→cờ ô cô
Chú
Uncle on dad's side / younger male adult
Often a father's younger brother; also a respectful word for a man around your parents' generation.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ChúchurisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Chú→chờ u chu sắc Chú
Bác
Older aunt or uncle / older adult
Often an older sibling of a parent; also a respectful word for an older adult.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BácbacrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Bác→bờ ac bac sắc Bác
Dì
Aunt on mom's side
Usually your mother's sister.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
DìdifallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Dì→dờ i di huyền Dì
Cậu
Uncle on mom's side
Usually your mother's brother.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CậucauheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Cậu→cờ âu câu nặng Cậu
Cháu
Grandchild / niece or nephew / younger relative
A younger relative speaking to an older family member often calls themself cháu.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CháuchaurisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Cháu→chờ au chau sắc Cháu
Bên nội
Dad's side of the family
Use bên nội for relatives on your father's side.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BênbenlevelKeep the final n short.nộinoiheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Bên→bờ ên bên
nội→nờ ôi nôi nặng nội
Bên ngoại
Mom's side of the family
Use bên ngoại for relatives on your mother's side.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BênbenlevelKeep the final n short.ngoạingoaiheavyStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Vietnamese spelling
Bên→bờ ên bên
ngoại→ngờ oai ngoai nặng ngoại
Ông nội
Paternal grandfather
Grandfather on your father's side.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ÔngonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.nộinoiheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Ông→ông
nội→nờ ôi nôi nặng nội
Bà ngoại
Maternal grandmother
Grandmother on your mother's side.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BàbafallingLet the voice fall gently.ngoạingoaiheavyStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Vietnamese spelling
Bà→bờ a ba huyền Bà
ngoại→ngờ oai ngoai nặng ngoại
Cô của tôi
My aunt on my dad's side
A beginner-friendly chunk for a paternal aunt.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CôcolevelKeep the voice steady and level.củacuadippingDip slightly, then recover.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Cô→cờ ô cô
của→cờ ua cua hỏi của
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
Dì của tôi
My aunt on my mom's side
A beginner-friendly chunk for a maternal aunt.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
DìdifallingLet the voice fall gently.củacuadippingDip slightly, then recover.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Dì→dờ i di huyền Dì
của→cờ ua cua hỏi của
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
Tôi là cháu của ông bà tôi
I am my grandparents' grandchild
Use cháu for the younger-relative role with grandparents or older relatives.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.làlafallingLet the voice fall gently.cháuchaurisingLift the voice upward.củacuadippingDip slightly, then recover.ôngonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.bàbafallingLet the voice fall gently.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
là→lờ a la huyền là
cháu→chờ au chau sắc cháu
của→cờ ua cua hỏi của
ông→ông
bà→bờ a ba huyền bà
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
Gia đình tôi có ông bà
My family has grandparents
A simple first sentence for the five-sentence exercise.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
GiagialevelKeep the voice steady and level.đìnhdinhfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.cócorisingLift the voice upward.ôngonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.bàbafallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Gia→giờ a gia
đình→đờ inh đinh huyền đình
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
có→cờ o co sắc có
ông→ông
bà→bờ a ba huyền bà
Ông tôi ở Việt Nam
My grandfather is in Vietnam
Swap the place if your relative lives somewhere else.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ÔngonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.ởodippingDip slightly, then recover.ViệtvietheavyDrop the voice low and short.NamnamlevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Ông→ông
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
ở→ơ hỏi ở
Việt→vờ iêt viêt nặng Việt
Nam→nờ am nam
Bà tôi rất vui
My grandmother is very cheerful
A simple adjective sentence about a relative.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BàbafallingLet the voice fall gently.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.rấtratrisingLift the voice upward.vuivuilevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Bà→bờ a ba huyền Bà
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
rất→rờ ât rât sắc rất
vui→vờ ui vui
Tôi có một cô
I have an aunt on my dad's side
Use cô for a common beginner map of dad-side aunt.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.cócorisingLift the voice upward.mộtmotheavyDrop the voice low and short.côcolevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
có→cờ o co sắc có
một→mờ ôt môt nặng một
cô→cờ ô cô
Tôi có một dì
I have an aunt on my mom's side
Use dì for a common beginner map of mom-side aunt.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.cócorisingLift the voice upward.mộtmotheavyDrop the voice low and short.dìdifallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
có→cờ o co sắc có
một→mờ ôt môt nặng một
dì→dờ i di huyền dì
Gia đình tôi ở Mỹ
My family is in the US
Change the country as needed.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
GiagialevelKeep the voice steady and level.đìnhdinhfallingĐ starts like English d; do not say z.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.ởodippingDip slightly, then recover.MỹmybrokenUse a short broken rise.
Vietnamese spelling
Gia→giờ a gia
đình→đờ inh đinh huyền đình
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
ở→ơ hỏi ở
Mỹ→mờ y my ngã Mỹ
Tôi có một em gái
I have a younger sister
Family description.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.cócorisingLift the voice upward.mộtmotheavyDrop the voice low and short.ememlevelKeep the voice steady and level.gáigairisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
có→cờ o co sắc có
một→mờ ôt môt nặng một
em→em
gái→gờ ai gai sắc gái
Ba mẹ tôi khỏe
My parents are well
Southern often uses ba mẹ.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BabalevelKeep the voice steady and level.mẹmeheavyDrop the voice low and short.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.khỏekhoedippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Ba→bờ a ba
mẹ→mờ e me nặng mẹ
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
khỏe→khờ oe khoe hỏi khỏe
Anh chị em
Siblings
Common family category.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
AnhanhlevelKeep the voice steady and level.chịchiheavyDrop the voice low and short.ememlevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Anh→anh
chị→chờ i chi nặng chị
em→em
Nhà bạn có mấy người?
How many people are in your family?
Natural question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
NhànhafallingLet the voice fall gently.bạnbanheavyKeep the final n short.cócorisingLift the voice upward.mấymayrisingLift the voice upward.ngườinguoifallingStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Vietnamese spelling
Nhà→nhờ a nha huyền Nhà
bạn→bờ an ban nặng bạn
có→cờ o co sắc có
mấy→mờ ây mây sắc mấy
người→ngờ ươi ngươi huyền người
Tôi nhớ nhà
I miss home
Emotional phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.nhớnhorisingLift the voice upward.nhànhafallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
nhớ→nhờ ơ nhơ sắc nhớ
nhà→nhờ a nha huyền nhà
Tôi muốn hỏi về gia đình
I want to ask about family
Use this to open a family 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.giagialevelKeep the voice steady and level.đìnhdinhfallingĐ 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
gia→giờ a gia
đình→đờ inh đinh huyền đình
Bạn giúp tôi về gia đình được không?
Can you help me with family?
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.giagialevelKeep the voice steady and level.đìnhdinhfallingĐ 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
gia→giờ a gia
đình→đờ inh đinh huyền đình
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
Nói lại giúp tôi được không?
Can you repeat that for me?
Useful when the answer is too fast.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
NóinoirisingLift the voice upward.lạilaiheavyDrop the voice low and short.giúpgiuprisingLift the voice upward.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.đượcduocheavyĐ starts like English d; do not say z.khôngkhonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Nói→nờ oi noi sắc Nói
lại→lờ ai lai nặng lại
giúp→giờ up giup sắc giúp
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
được→đờ ươc đươc nặng được
không→khờ ông không
Viết ra giúp tôi được không?
Can you write it down for me?
Helpful for names, prices, and addresses.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ViếtvietrisingLift the voice upward.raralevelKeep the voice steady and level.giúpgiuprisingLift the voice upward.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.đượcduocheavyĐ starts like English d; do not say z.khôngkhonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Viết→vờ iêt viêt sắc Viết
ra→rờ a ra
giúp→giờ up giup sắc giúp
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
được→đờ ươc đươc nặng được
không→khờ ông không
Cái này nghĩa là gì?
What does this mean?
Use while pointing at a form, sign, or message.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CáicairisingLift the voice upward.nàynayfallingLet the voice fall gently.nghĩanghiabrokenStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.làlafallingLet the voice fall gently.gìgifallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Cái→cờ ai cai sắc Cái
này→nờ ay nay huyền này
nghĩa→ngờ ia nghia ngã nghĩa
là→lờ a la huyền là
gì→gờ i gi huyền gì
Tôi cần thêm thông tin
I need more information
Keeps the conversation moving.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
TôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.cầncanfallingKeep the final n short.thêmthemlevelKeep the voice steady and level.thôngthonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.tintinlevelKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
cần→cờ ân cân huyền cần
thêm→thờ êm thêm
thông→thờ ông thông
tin→tờ in tin
Khi nào xong?
When will it be finished?
Ask for timing clearly.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
KhikhilevelKeep the voice steady and level.nàonaofallingLet the voice fall gently.xongxonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Khi→khờ i khi
nào→nờ ao nao huyền nào
xong→xờ ong xong
Bao nhiêu tiền?
How much is it?
Use for prices, fees, and services.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BaobaolevelKeep the voice steady and level.nhiêunhieulevelKeep the voice steady and level.tiềntienfallingKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Bao→bờ ao bao
nhiêu→nhờ iêu nhiêu
tiền→tờ iên tiên huyền tiền
Anh ấy là người tốt bụng
He is a kind person
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
AnhanhlevelKeep the voice steady and level.ấyayrisingLift the voice upward.làlafallingLet the voice fall gently.ngườinguoifallingStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.tốttotrisingLift the voice upward.bụngbungheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Anh→anh
ấy→ây sắc ấy
là→lờ a la huyền là
người→ngờ ươi ngươi huyền người
tốt→tờ ôt tôt sắc tốt
bụng→bờ ung bung nặng bụng
Chị ấy vui tính
She is funny
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
ChịchiheavyDrop the voice low and short.ấyayrisingLift the voice upward.vuivuilevelKeep the voice steady and level.tínhtinhrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Chị→chờ i chi nặng Chị
ấy→ây sắc ấy
vui→vờ ui vui
tính→tờ inh tinh sắc tính
Ba tôi chăm chỉ
My dad is hard-working
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BabalevelKeep the voice steady and level.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.chămchamlevelKeep the voice steady and level.chỉchidippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Ba→bờ a ba
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
chăm→chờ ăm chăm
chỉ→chờ i chi hỏi chỉ
hiền
gentle
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
hiềnhienfallingKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
hiền→hờ iên hiên huyền hiền
dữ
strict or fierce
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
dữdubrokenUse a short broken rise.
Vietnamese spelling
dữ→dờ ư dư ngã dữ
vui tính
funny
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
vuivuilevelKeep the voice steady and level.tínhtinhrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
vui→vờ ui vui
tính→tờ inh tinh sắc tính
nghiêm túc
serious
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
nghiêmnghiemlevelStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.túctucrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
nghiêm→ngờ iêm nghiêm
túc→tờ uc tuc sắc túc
chăm chỉ
hard-working
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
chămchamlevelKeep the voice steady and level.chỉchidippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
chăm→chờ ăm chăm
chỉ→chờ i chi hỏi chỉ
lười
lazy
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
lườiluoifallingLet the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
lười→lờ ươi lươi huyền lười
thông minh
smart
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
thôngthonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.minhminhlevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
thông→thờ ông thông
minh→mờ inh minh
tốt bụng
kind
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
tốttotrisingLift the voice upward.bụngbungheavyDrop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
tốt→tờ ôt tôt sắc tốt
bụng→bờ ung bung nặng bụng
hay giúp đỡ
helpful
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
hayhaylevelKeep the voice steady and level.giúpgiuprisingLift the voice upward.đỡdobrokenĐ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
hay→hờ ay hay
giúp→giờ up giup sắc giúp
đỡ→đờ ơ đơ ngã đỡ
Mẹ tôi hiền
My mom is gentle
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
MẹmeheavyDrop the voice low and short.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.hiềnhienfallingKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Mẹ→mờ e me nặng Mẹ
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
hiền→hờ iên hiên huyền hiền
Em tôi thông minh
My younger sibling is smart
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
EmemlevelKeep the voice steady and level.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.thôngthonglevelKeep the voice steady and level.minhminhlevelKeep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Em→em
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
thông→thờ ông thông
minh→mờ inh minh
Cô ấy là người chăm chỉ
She is a hard-working person
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
CôcolevelKeep the voice steady and level.ấyayrisingLift the voice upward.làlafallingLet the voice fall gently.ngườinguoifallingStart with the back-of-mouth ng sound.chămchamlevelKeep the voice steady and level.chỉchidippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Cô→cờ ô cô
ấy→ây sắc ấy
là→lờ a la huyền là
người→ngờ ươi ngươi huyền người
chăm→chờ ăm chăm
chỉ→chờ i chi hỏi chỉ
Mẹ tôi đẹp và hiền
My mom is beautiful and gentle
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
MẹmeheavyDrop the voice low and short.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.đẹpdepheavyĐ starts like English d; do not say z.vàvafallingLet the voice fall gently.hiềnhienfallingKeep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Mẹ→mờ e me nặng Mẹ
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
đẹp→đờ ep đep nặng đẹp
và→vờ a va huyền và
hiền→hờ iên hiên huyền hiền
Ba tôi cao và chăm chỉ
My dad is tall and hard-working
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
BabalevelKeep the voice steady and level.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.caocaolevelKeep the voice steady and level.vàvafallingLet the voice fall gently.chămchamlevelKeep the voice steady and level.chỉchidippingDip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Ba→bờ a ba
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
cao→cờ ao cao
và→vờ a va huyền và
chăm→chờ ăm chăm
chỉ→chờ i chi hỏi chỉ
Em tôi trẻ và vui tính
My younger sibling is young and funny
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
EmemlevelKeep the voice steady and level.tôitoilevelKeep the voice steady and level.trẻtredippingDip slightly, then recover.vàvafallingLet the voice fall gently.vuivuilevelKeep the voice steady and level.tínhtinhrisingLift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Em→em
tôi→tờ ôi tôi
trẻ→trờ e tre hỏi trẻ
và→vờ a va huyền và
vui→vờ ui vui
tính→tờ inh tinh sắc tính
Meaning check
Quick practice
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Week 3 · Day 16 in the 90-day path
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