Learning a new language is always an adventure, especially when it comes to Vietnamese. It’s a language rich in history and culture, yet presents unique challenges to foreign learners. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the learning process, understanding the nuances of Vietnamese vocabulary can significantly enhance your learning experience. In this article, we will delve into some essential Vietnamese words that every foreign learner should know, and provide explanations and example sentences to help you grasp their meanings.

Basic Vocabulary

Người nước ngoài – Foreigner
This term is used to refer to a person from another country. It’s a compound word where người means “person” and nước ngoài means “foreign country.”

Tôi là người nước ngoài sống ở Việt Nam.

Ngôn ngữ – Language
This word means “language” and is fundamental for discussing the topic of language learning.

Tiếng Việt là ngôn ngữ chính thức của Việt Nam.

Học – To learn
This verb is essential for any language learner as it directly means “to learn.”

Tôi đang học tiếng Việt mỗi ngày.

Hiểu – To understand
Understanding is a key part of language learning. This verb means “to understand.”

Bạn có hiểu bài giảng không?

Everyday Expressions

Chào – Hello
This is a common greeting used in Vietnam, similar to “hello” in English.

Chào, bạn khỏe không?

Cảm ơn – Thank you
This phrase is used to express gratitude. It’s always good to know how to say “thank you” in any language.

Cảm ơn bạn đã giúp tôi.

Xin lỗi – Sorry
This phrase means “sorry” or “excuse me” and is useful in various social situations.

Xin lỗi, tôi không cố ý.

Numbers and Counting

Một – One
This is the number one in Vietnamese.

Tôi có một quyển sách.

Hai – Two
This is the number two in Vietnamese.

Anh ấy có hai con chó.

Ba – Three
This is the number three in Vietnamese.

Chúng tôi có ba cái bánh.

Common Verbs

Đi – To go
This verb means “to go” and is frequently used in everyday conversations.

Tôi sẽ đi chợ vào sáng mai.

Ăn – To eat
This verb means “to eat,” another essential word for daily activities.

Chúng ta hãy ăn tối cùng nhau.

Uống – To drink
This verb means “to drink,” also useful for everyday conversations.

Tôi muốn uống cà phê.

Adjectives

Đẹp – Beautiful
This adjective means “beautiful” and can describe both people and things.

Cảnh ở đây rất đẹp.

Ngon – Delicious
This adjective means “delicious” and is used to describe food.

Món ăn này rất ngon.

Vui – Happy
This adjective means “happy” and is often used to describe emotions.

Tôi cảm thấy rất vui hôm nay.

Time Expressions

Hôm nay – Today
This term means “today” and is useful for discussing the present day.

Bạn có kế hoạch gì cho hôm nay?

Ngày mai – Tomorrow
This term means “tomorrow,” useful for planning future activities.

Chúng ta sẽ gặp nhau vào ngày mai.

Hôm qua – Yesterday
This term means “yesterday,” useful for discussing past activities.

Tôi đã đi xem phim vào hôm qua.

Question Words

Ai – Who
This word means “who” and is essential for asking questions about people.

Ai đang ở đó?

Gì – What
This word means “what” and is used for asking about things or actions.

Bạn đang làm gì?

Ở đâu – Where
This term means “where” and is used to ask about locations.

Bạn sống ở đâu?

Khi nào – When
This term means “when” and is used for asking about time.

Chúng ta sẽ đi khi nào?

Tại sao – Why
This term means “why” and is used for asking about reasons.

Tại sao bạn không đến?

Như thế nào – How
This term means “how” and is used for asking about the manner or condition.

Bạn cảm thấy như thế nào?

Prepositions

Trên – On
This preposition means “on” and is used to indicate position.

Cuốn sách ở trên bàn.

Dưới – Under
This preposition means “under” and is also used to indicate position.

Con mèo ở dưới ghế.

Trong – In
This preposition means “in” and is used for indicating inclusion within something.

Chìa khóa ở trong túi.

Ngoài – Outside
This preposition means “outside” and is used to indicate something being exterior to another thing.

Chúng tôi đang ở ngoài sân.

Conjunctions

Và – And
This conjunction means “and” and is used to connect words or phrases.

Tôi thích ăn táo và cam.

Nhưng – But
This conjunction means “but” and is used to introduce a contrast.

Tôi muốn đi, nhưng tôi bận.

Hoặc – Or
This conjunction means “or” and is used to present alternatives.

Bạn muốn trà hoặc cà phê?

Bởi vì – Because
This conjunction means “because” and is used to give reasons.

Tôi không đi học bởi vì tôi bị ốm.

Directions

Trái – Left
This word means “left” and is used for giving directions.

Rẽ trái ở ngã tư.

Phải – Right
This word means “right” and is also used for giving directions.

Đi phải ở góc đường.

Thẳng – Straight
This word means “straight” and is used to indicate a direction without turns.

Đi thẳng cho đến khi bạn thấy nhà hàng.

Quay lại – Turn back
This phrase means “turn back” and is used when someone needs to reverse their direction.

Nếu bạn đi lạc, hãy quay lại.

Weather Terms

Nắng – Sunny
This adjective means “sunny” and is used to describe the weather.

Hôm nay trời rất nắng.

Mưa – Rainy
This adjective means “rainy” and is also used to describe the weather.

Hôm qua trời mưa cả ngày.

Lạnh – Cold
This adjective means “cold” and is used to describe temperature.

Trời rất lạnh vào mùa đông.

Nóng – Hot
This adjective means “hot” and is used to describe temperature.

Trời rất nóng vào mùa hè.

Family Terms

Cha – Father
This word means “father” and is a common term for addressing one’s dad.

Tôi yêu cha của tôi.

Mẹ – Mother
This word means “mother” and is a common term for addressing one’s mom.

Tôi nhớ mẹ của tôi.

Anh – Brother (older)
This word means “older brother” and is used to address a male sibling older than oneself.

Tôi có một anh trai.

Chị – Sister (older)
This word means “older sister” and is used to address a female sibling older than oneself.

Tôi có một chị gái.

Em – Sibling (younger)
This word means “younger sibling” and can refer to either a younger brother or sister.

Tôi có một em trai và một em gái.

Shopping Terms

Giá – Price
This word means “price” and is essential when discussing costs.

Cái này có giá bao nhiêu?

Tiền – Money
This word means “money” and is fundamental for any transactions.

Tôi cần tiền để mua sách.

Mua – To buy
This verb means “to buy” and is crucial for shopping situations.

Tôi muốn mua một chiếc áo mới.

Bán – To sell
This verb means “to sell” and is also essential for shopping contexts.

Họ đang bán trái cây tươi.

Chợ – Market
This word means “market” and refers to a place where goods are sold.

Tôi thường đi chợ vào cuối tuần.

Conclusion

Learning Vietnamese can be both challenging and rewarding. By mastering these essential vocabulary words, you will find yourself better equipped to navigate daily conversations and cultural interactions in Vietnam. Remember, practice makes perfect, so use these words as often as possible to build your confidence and fluency. Happy learning!