Vietnamese phrases – Here you will find the most common phrases in Vietnamese with translation. | Free & useful
Vietnamese phrases are short expressions or idioms often used in speech to be polite, express gratitude, greet or say goodbye or simply to have a pleasant conversation.
They are an important part of Vietnamese culture and can be useful in different situations, both in private and business life.
Vietnamese phrases you should know
OUR TIP: If you want to learn these phrases interactively, we recommend the free language course demo from 17-Minute-Language, where you can learn Vietnamese phrases and dialogues today.
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Greet someone in Vietnamese
If you want to greet someone in Vietnamese, it’s actually quite easy:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome! in Vietnamese | Chào mừng! | /caːw mɨŋ/ |
| Good day to you! in Vietnamese | Chúc bạn một ngày tốt lành! | /t͡ɕuk ɓaːn mọk ŋaːj toːt lɑɲ/ |
| Good morning to you! in Vietnamese | Chúc bạn buổi sáng tốt lành! | /t͡ɕuk ɓaːn ɓuj˦ˀ˥ saːŋ˦ toːt lɑɲ/ |
| Good evening! in Vietnamese | Chào buổi tối! | /caːw ɓuj˦ˀ˥ toj˦/ |
| Good to see you. in Vietnamese | Rất vui được gặp bạn. | /zət vuj ɗɨək ɣap ɓaːn/ |
| I’m glad to see you. in Vietnamese | Tôi rất vui khi gặp bạn. | /toj zət vuj xi ɣap ɓaːn/ |
If you are greeted in Vietnamese, the best way to respond is as follows:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Have a nice day too! in Vietnamese | Chúc bạn cũng có một ngày tốt lành! | /t͡ɕuk ɓaːn kuŋ kɔ mọk ŋaːj toːt lɑɲ/ |
| Thanks, it’s nice to see you too. in Vietnamese | Cảm ơn, gặp bạn cũng thật vui. | /kaːm ʔəːn ɣap ɓaːn kuŋ tʰək vuj/ |
How is my dialogue partner?
As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking where the person you are talking to is located. Here’s how you do it:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| How are you doing? in Vietnamese | Bạn có khỏe không? | /ɓaːn kɔ kwɛː xom/ |
| Are you doing well? in Vietnamese | Bạn có làm tốt không? | /ɓaːn kɔ lam toːt xom/ |
If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you for asking, I am fine. | Cảm ơn bạn đã hỏi, tôi khỏe. | /kaːm ʔəːn ɓaːn ɗaː hɔj, toj kwɛː/ |
| Thank you, I am fine. | Cảm ơn, tôi khỏe. | /kaːm ʔəːn, toj kwɛː/ |
| Thank you, I am not doing so well. | Cảm ơn, tôi không được khỏe lắm. | /kaːm ʔəːn, toj xom ɗɨək kwɛː lam/ |
| Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing? | Cảm ơn, tôi khỏe. Bạn thế nào? | /kaːm ʔəːn, toj kwɛː. ɓaːn tɛː ɲaːw/ |
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How do I say goodbye to someone in Vietnamese?
Saying goodbye to a friend or stranger in Vietnamese is not that difficult. Just use the following phrases:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Goodbye! in Vietnamese | Tạm biệt! | /taːm biət/ |
| Take care of yourself! in Vietnamese | Chăm sóc bản thân nhé! | /t͡ɕam soːk ɓan tʰan ɲɛː/ |
| Goodbye in Vietnamese | Chào tạm biệt | /caːw taːm biət/ |
| See you tomorrow in Vietnamese | Hẹn gặp lại vào ngày mai | /hɛn ɣap lɑj vaːw ŋaːj maj/ |
| See you soon in Vietnamese | Hẹn gặp sớm | /hɛn ɣap sɤm/ |
| See you later in Vietnamese | Hẹn gặp sau | /hɛn ɣap saʊ/ |
| Good night in Vietnamese | Chúc ngủ ngon | /t͡ɕuk ŋu ŋɔn/ |
| Sleep well in Vietnamese | Ngủ ngon nhé | /ŋu ŋɔn ɲɛː/ |
| Talk to you later. in Vietnamese | /nɔj t͡ɕwiən vɔj ɓaːn saʊ ɲɛː/ | |
| Nice to have met you! in Vietnamese | Rất vui được gặp bạn! | /zət vuj ɗɨək ɣap ɓaːn/ |
How do I introduce myself in Vietnamese?
When travelling in Vietnam, sooner or later you will come into contact with local people. Naturally, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Vietnamese and know who you’re talking to.
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| My name is Jonas. | Tên tôi là Jonas. | /tɛn toj laː Jonas/ |
| What is your name? | Bạn tên gì? | /ɓaːn tɛn zi?/ |
| What is your surname? | Họ của bạn là gì? | /hɔː kʊə ɓaːn laː zi?/ |
| What is your first name? | Tên đệm của bạn là gì? | /tɛn dem kʊə ɓaːn laː zi?/ |
| What is your surname? | Họ của bạn là gì? | /hɔː kʊə ɓaːn laː zi?/ |
If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Where do you come from? | Bạn đến từ đâu? | /ɓaːn ɗɛn tɨ ɗəw/ |
| I am from London. | Tôi đến từ London. | /toj ɗɛn tɨ London/ |
| Are you from Birmingham? | Bạn có phải đến từ Birmingham không? | /ɓaːn kɔ fɐj ɗɛn tɨ Birmingham xom/ |
| No, I’m from Madrid. | Không, tôi đến từ Madrid. | /xom, toj ɗɛn tɨ Madrid/ |
| Great, I’m from Madrid too. | Tuyệt, tôi cũng đến từ Madrid. | /twɪət, toj kuŋ ɗɛn tɨ Madrid/ |
| Where do you live? | Bạn sống ở đâu? | /ɓaːn soŋ ʔə ɗəw/ |
| I live in Berlin. | Tôi sống ở Berlin. | /toj soŋ ʔə Berlin/ |
If you have problems with your Vietnamese, it is good to know which languages are still spoken:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Do you speak English? | Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không? | /ɓaːn kɔ nɔj tiəŋ aɲ xom/ |
| Yes, I speak English. | Có, tôi nói tiếng Anh. | /kɔ, toj nɔj tiəŋ aɲ/ |
| Yes, I speak some English. | Có, tôi nói được một ít tiếng Anh. | /kɔ, toj nɔj ɗɨək mọt ɪt tiəŋ aɲ/ |
| No, I do not speak any English. | Không, tôi không nói được tiếng Anh. | /xom, toj xom nɔj ɗɨək tiəŋ aɲ/ |
| I only speak English. | Tôi chỉ nói tiếng Anh thôi. | /toj t͡ɕi nɔj tiəŋ aɲ tʰɔj/ |
| I understand some Vietnamese. | Tôi hiểu một ít tiếng Việt. | /toj hiəw mọt ɪt tiəŋ viət/ |
Useful sentences with ‘I am…’
The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Vietnamese and express your wishes and concerns:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| I am English. in Vietnamese | Tôi là người Anh. | /toj laː ŋɨəj aɲ/ |
| I am injured. in Vietnamese | Tôi bị thương. | /toj bi t͡ɕɨəŋ/ |
| I am here. in Vietnamese | Tôi ở đây. | /toj ʔə dej/ |
| I am hungry. in Vietnamese | Tôi đói. | /toj ɗɔj/ |
| I am thirsty. in Vietnamese | Tôi khát nước. | /toj xat nɨək/ |
| I am a single person. in Vietnamese | Tôi còn độc thân. | /toj kɔn ɗɔk tʰan/ |
| I need help! in Vietnamese | Tôi cần giúp đỡ! | /toj kən zup ɗɤ/ |
| I am tired. in Vietnamese | Tôi mệt. | /toj mɛt/ |
| I am happy. in Vietnamese | Tôi vui. | /toj vuj/ |
| I am sad. in Vietnamese | Tôi buồn. | /toj buən/ |
| I am in love. in Vietnamese | Tôi đang yêu. | /toj ɗaːŋ iəw/ |
| I am ill. in Vietnamese | Tôi bị ốm. | /toj bi əm/ |
| I am ready. in Vietnamese | Tôi đã sẵn sàng. | /toj ɗaː sǎn sǎŋ/ |
| I am busy. in Vietnamese | Tôi bận. | /toj bən/ |
| I am lost. in Vietnamese | Tôi bị lạc đường. | /toj bi lăk ɗɨəŋ/ |
| I am a tourist. in Vietnamese | Tôi là khách du lịch. | /toj laː xaːk zu liɜk/ |
| I am new here. in Vietnamese | Tôi mới đến đây. | /toj mɤj ɗɛn dej/ |
| I am confident. in Vietnamese | Tôi tự tin. | /toj tɨ tin/ |
| I am proud. in Vietnamese | Tôi tự hào. | /toj tɨ haːw/ |
| I am a teacher. in Vietnamese | Tôi là giáo viên. | /toj laː zaːw viən/ |
| I am late. in Vietnamese | Tôi đến muộn. | /toj ɗɛn muən/ |
| I am 30 years old. in Vietnamese | Tôi ba mươi tuổi. | /toj ba mɨəj tɨəj/ |
| I am in a hurry. in Vietnamese | Tôi đang vội. | /toj ɗaːŋ vɔj/ |
| I am happy. in Vietnamese | Tôi vui. | /toj vuj/ |
| I am surprised. in Vietnamese | Tôi ngạc nhiên. | /toj ŋak ɲiən/ |
| I am angry. in Vietnamese | Tôi tức giận. | /toj tɨk zan/ |
Apologising in Vietnamese
Here’s how to apologise to a Vietnamese speaker:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| I apologise. | Tôi xin lỗi. | /toj sin lɔj/ |
| Sorry, that was not the intention. | Xin lỗi, đó không phải là ý định. | /sin lɔj, ɗɔ xom fɐj laː i ɗɨŋ/ |
| Sorry, I did not do it on purpose. | Xin lỗi, tôi không làm điều đó cố ý. | /sin lɔj, toj xom lam diəw ɗɔ kɔ i/ |
| Sorry, that was very clumsy of me. | Xin lỗi, tôi thật vụng về. | /sin lɔj, toj tʰət vʊŋ vɛ/ |
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Useful signs and notices in Vietnamese
Useful signs and messages in Vietnamese that you will often see.
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance in Vietnamese | Lối vào | /lɔj vaːw/ |
| Toilet in Vietnamese | Nhà vệ sinh | /ɲaː vɛ sin/ |
| Exit in Vietnamese | Lối ra | /lɔj raː/ |
| Attention! in Vietnamese | Chú ý! | /t͡ɕu˧˩ i˧˥/ |
| Police in Vietnamese | Cảnh sát | /kaɲ sat/ |
| Emergency services in Vietnamese | Dịch vụ khẩn cấp | /zɨk vɨ kwən kɛp/ |
| Fire brigade in Vietnamese | Lực lượng cứu hỏa | /luk lɨəŋ kuː hwaː/ |
| Passage forbidden. in Vietnamese | Cấm đi qua. | /kăm ɗi kwaː/ |
| Caution! in Vietnamese | Cẩn thận! | /kən tʰən/ |
| This building is under video surveillance. in Vietnamese | Tòa nhà này được giám sát bằng camera. | /toːa ɲaː naj ɗɨək zam sat baŋ kamera/ |
Numbers to 25 in Vietnamese
Counting in Vietnamese is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Vietnamese from 1 to 25.
| Number | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in Vietnamese | Một | /môt/ |
| 2 in Vietnamese | Hai | /haːj/ |
| 3 in Vietnamese | Ba | /ɓaː/ |
| 4 in Vietnamese | Bốn | /ɓɔn/ |
| 5 in Vietnamese | Năm | /năm/ |
| 6 in Vietnamese | Sáu | /sàw/ |
| 7 in Vietnamese | Bảy | /ɓăj/ |
| 8 in Vietnamese | Tám | /tám/ |
| 9 in Vietnamese | Chín | /t͡ɕín/ |
| 10 in Vietnamese | Mười | /mɨəj/ |
| 11 in Vietnamese | Mười một | /mɨəj môt/ |
| 12 in Vietnamese | Mười hai | /mɨəj haːj/ |
| 13 in Vietnamese | Mười ba | /mɨəj ɓaː/ |
| 14 in Vietnamese | Mười bốn | /mɨəj ɓɔn/ |
| 15 in Vietnamese | Mười lăm | /mɨəj làm/ |
| 16 in Vietnamese | Mười sáu | /mɨəj sàw/ |
| 17 in Vietnamese | Mười bảy | /mɨəj ɓăj/ |
| 18 in Vietnamese | Mười tám | /mɨəj tám/ |
| 19 in Vietnamese | Mười chín | /mɨəj t͡ɕín/ |
| 20 in Vietnamese | Hai mươi | /haːj mɨəj/ |
| 21 in Vietnamese | Hai mươi mốt | /haːj mɨəj môt/ |
| 22 in Vietnamese | Hai mươi hai | /haːj mɨəj haːj/ |
| 23 in Vietnamese | Hai mươi ba | /haːj mɨəj ɓaː/ |
| 24 in Vietnamese | Hai mươi bốn | /haːj mɨəj ɓɔn/ |
| 25 in Vietnamese | Hai mươi lăm | /haːj mɨəj làm/ |
The colours in Vietnamese
The most common colours in Vietnamese with phonetic transcription for pronunciation.
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Red in Vietnamese | Đỏ | /ɗɔː/ |
| Blue in Vietnamese | Xanh dương | /saɲ zɨəŋ/ |
| Green in Vietnamese | Xanh lá | /saɲ laː/ |
| Yellow in Vietnamese | Vàng | /vaːŋ/ |
| Black in Vietnamese | Đen | /ɗɛn/ |
| White in Vietnamese | Trắng | /t͡ɕaːŋ/ |
| Orange in Vietnamese | Cam | /kaːm/ |
| Pink in Vietnamese | Hồng | /hɔŋ/ |
| Purple in Vietnamese | Tím | /tim/ |
| Brown in Vietnamese | Nâu | /nəw/ |
Days of the week, months and seasons in Vietnamese
Of course, you will also need the days of the week in Vietnamese and the pronunciation of the months and seasons in dialogues and daily communication in Vietnamese.
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday in Vietnamese | Thứ Hai | /tʰɨ˧˩ haːj˧˧/ |
| Tuesday in Vietnamese | Thứ Ba | /tʰɨ˧˩ baː˧˧/ |
| Wednesday in Vietnamese | Thứ Tư | /tʰɨ˧˩ tɨ˧˧/ |
| Thursday in Vietnamese | Thứ Năm | /tʰɨ˧˩ năːm˧˧/ |
| Friday in Vietnamese | Thứ Sáu | /tʰɨ˧˩ saːw˧˧/ |
| Saturday in Vietnamese | Thứ Bảy | /tʰɨ˧˩ɓăj˧˧/ |
| Sunday in Vietnamese | Chủ Nhật | /cɨ˧˩ ɲɐt̚˧˧/ |
| January in Vietnamese | Tháng Một | /tʰaːŋ môt/ |
| February in Vietnamese | Tháng Hai | /tʰaːŋ haːj/ |
| March in Vietnamese | Tháng Ba | /tʰaːŋ ɓaː/ |
| April in Vietnamese | Tháng Tư | /tʰaːŋ tɨ/ |
| May in Vietnamese | Tháng Năm | /tʰaːŋ năːm/ |
| June in Vietnamese | Tháng Sáu | /tʰaːŋ saːw/ |
| July in Vietnamese | Tháng Bảy | /tʰaːŋ ɓăj/ |
| August in Vietnamese | Tháng Tám | /tʰaːŋ tăːm/ |
| September in Vietnamese | Tháng Chín | /tʰaːŋ t͡ɕín/ |
| October in Vietnamese | Tháng Mười | /tʰaːŋ mɨəj/ |
| November in Vietnamese | Tháng Mười Một | /tʰaːŋ mɨəj môt/ |
| December in Vietnamese | Tháng Mười Hai | /tʰaːŋ mɨəj haːj/ |
| Spring in Vietnamese | Mùa xuân | /mɨə˧˩ swən˧˥/ |
| Summer in Vietnamese | Mùa hè | /mɨə˧˩ he˧˥/ |
| Autumn (Fall) in Vietnamese | Mùa thu | /mɨə˧˩ tʰu˧˥/ |
| Winter in Vietnamese | Mùa đông | /mɨə˧˩ ɗoŋ˧˥/ |
OUR TIP: If you want to learn these Vietnamese phrases interactively, we recommend the free language course demo from 17-Minute-Language, where you can learn Vietnamese phrases and dialogues.
*
More information about the Vietnamese Business Course.
Additional links
- Learn Vietnamese with Mondly
- The different ways of learning languages
- Learning vocabulary successfully
- Motivated language learning
- It is so easy to train your understanding of a language at the same time
- Learning languages quickly? – Is it possible?
- The different types of learners when learning languages
More information about the Vietnamese Course for Children.