Cooked rice
Cơm
Cooked rice
Cơm is ready to eat.
Southern Vietnamese
Southern Vietnamese Food Phrases
Simple Vietnamese phrases for cafes, restaurants, and street food.
Quick answer
In one sentence
Use these food phrases to order, adjust spice or sugar, ask about ingredients, and pay without freezing.
- Use this page in restaurants, cafes, food courts, and casual street-food places where pointing plus short Vietnamese works well.
- Start with: Cho tôi menu, Cho tôi một phần, Không cay.
Mini lesson
Use this when...
Use this page in restaurants, cafes, food courts, and casual street-food places where pointing plus short Vietnamese works well.
Day 19 food focus
Intro: food and drinks P1
Start with everyday staples, then practice short ordering lines for a simple meal.
Food tip
Cơm means cooked rice, while gạo means uncooked rice grain.
Uncooked rice
Gạo
Uncooked rice grain
Gạo is raw rice grain.
First order
Cho tôi phở
Please give me phở
Short order lines work well.
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Day 19 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: cơm, phở, bún, bánh mì, rau, thịt, cá, trứng, đậu, gạo
Play each food word, repeat once, then save the words you would order or recognize on a menu.
Staple
Cơm
Cooked rice
Cooked rice.
Noodle
Phở
Phở noodle soup
Phở noodle soup.
Noodle
Bún
Rice vermicelli noodles
Rice vermicelli noodles.
Bread
Bánh mì
Bread / Vietnamese sandwich
Bread or Vietnamese sandwich.
Greens
Rau
Vegetables / greens
Vegetables, greens, or herbs.
Protein
Thịt
Meat
Meat.
Protein
Cá
Fish
Fish.
Protein
Trứng
Egg
Egg.
Protein
Đậu
Beans / tofu
Beans or tofu.
Staple
Gạo
Uncooked rice grain
Uncooked rice grain.
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Day 19 speaking skill
Speaking skill: order a basic meal
Keep the order short. Use Cho tôi..., then add one food item or one drink.
Rice portion
Cho tôi một phần cơm
Please give me one portion of rice
Use một phần for one portion.
Phở order
Cho tôi phở
Please give me phở
A direct order for phở.
Water
Cho tôi nước lọc
Please give me water
Add a drink to the meal.
Rice with meat
Cho tôi cơm với thịt
Please give me rice with meat
Với means with.
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Day 19 grammar focus
Grammar note: Ăn gì? / Uống gì?
Ăn is for food. Uống is for drinks. Add gì to ask what someone eats or drinks.
Food question
Ăn + gì?
Bạn ăn gì?
What are you eating?
Use ăn for food.
Drink question
Uống + gì?
Bạn uống gì?
What are you drinking?
Use uống for drinks.
Food answer
Tôi ăn + food
Tôi ăn cơm
I eat rice
Answer with the thing you eat.
Drink answer
Tôi uống + drink
Tôi uống nước
I drink water
Answer with the thing you drink.
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Day 19 speaking exercise
Exercise: order a full meal
Practice a complete order: open the order, choose food, add a drink, then finish politely.
1
Tôi muốn gọi một bữa ăn
I want to order a meal
Open the meal-ordering frame.
2
Cho tôi cơm với thịt
Please give me rice with meat
Choose a base and protein.
3
Cho tôi phở và nước lọc
Please give me phở and water
Order a dish and drink together.
4
Tính tiền giúp
Bill, please
Finish the meal politely.
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Day 20 food focus
Intro: food and drinks P2
Continue from basic ordering into drinks, flavors, and short opinions about dishes you actually eat.
Flavor tip
Ngon means delicious. You will hear and use it constantly.
Drink word
Cà phê
Coffee
Start with drinks you will see in cafes.
Most useful opinion
Món này ngon
This dish is delicious
Ngon is the food compliment you will use constantly.
Flavor warning
Món này cay
This dish is spicy
Describe a dish quickly with Món này + adjective.
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Day 20 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: nước, cà phê, trà, bia, ngọt, mặn, cay, chua, đắng, béo, thơm
Learn the drink words first, then use flavor words to describe what you taste.
Drink
Nước
Water / liquid
Water or liquid.
Drink
Cà phê
Coffee
Coffee.
Drink
Trà
Tea
Tea.
Drink
Bia
Beer
Beer vocabulary only.
Flavor
Ngọt
Sweet
Sweet.
Flavor
Mặn
Salty
Salty.
Flavor
Cay
Spicy
Spicy.
Flavor
Chua
Sour
Sour.
Flavor
Đắng
Bitter
Bitter.
Flavor
Béo
Rich / fatty / creamy
Rich, fatty, or creamy.
Flavor
Thơm
Fragrant / aromatic
Fragrant or aromatic.
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Day 20 speaking skill
Speaking skill: describe food flavor
Keep comments short. Play, repeat, then swap the flavor word for the dish in front of you.
Compliment
Món này ngon
This dish is delicious
Use this when the food tastes good.
Spicy
Món này cay
This dish is spicy
Useful before ordering more spice.
Salty
Món này mặn
This dish is salty
A simple taste comment.
Sour
Món này chua
This dish is sour
Useful for soups, sauces, and fruit.
Bitter
Món này đắng
This dish is bitter
Common with coffee or tea.
Aromatic
Món này thơm
This dish smells good / is aromatic
A positive comment about smell and flavor.
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Day 20 grammar focus
Grammar note: Món này + ngon/dở/cay/mặn
Món này means this dish. Put the adjective after it: Món này ngon, Món này cay, Món này mặn.
Positive
Món này + ngon
Món này ngon
This dish is delicious
Món này + ngon = this dish is delicious.
Negative
Món này + dở
Món này dở
This dish is bad / not tasty
Dở is direct, so use it carefully with people.
Flavor
Món này + cay
Món này cay
This dish is spicy
Swap in any flavor adjective after Món này.
Flavor
Món này + mặn
Món này mặn
This dish is salty
The adjective does not move before the noun here.
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Day 20 speaking exercise
Exercise: describe 3 favorite dishes
Pick three foods you like. Say the dish, then add one or two flavor words.
1
Tôi thích phở
I like phở
Name one dish you like.
2
Phở ngon và thơm
Phở is delicious and fragrant
Add two positive flavor words.
3
Bún chua cay
Sour and spicy vermicelli noodles
Practice a compact two-flavor dish description.
4
Cà phê đắng nhưng ngon
Coffee is bitter but delicious
Use nhưng when one flavor contrasts with your opinion.
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Day 39 restaurant focus
Intro: restaurant ordering
Read a menu, order food, ask for more, and pay at the end.
Restaurant tip
Cho tôi xem thực đơn means May I see the menu?
Menu
Cho tôi xem thực đơn
May I see the menu?
Ask for the menu first.
Order
Tôi muốn gọi món
I would like to order
Start the order politely.
Pay
Tính tiền giúp
Check, please
Ask for the check.
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Day 39 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: thực đơn, gọi món, phục vụ, tính tiền, hoá đơn, phần, suất, khẩu phần, thêm
Practice the words you will hear around menus, serving, portions, and payment.
menu
Thực đơn
menu
Also often heard as menu.
order
Gọi món
order food
Restaurant action phrase.
server
Phục vụ
server / service
Can mean server or service.
pay/check
Tính tiền
calculate the bill / pay
Use when asking for the check.
bill
Hoá đơn
bill / receipt
Also written hóa đơn.
portion
Phần
portion
Common for one serving.
serving
Suất
serving / portion
Often used for set portions.
portion size
Khẩu phần
portion size
More formal portion word.
more
Thêm
more / extra
Use to request extra.
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Day 39 speaking skill
Speaking skill: order and request
Ask for the menu, order a dish, request more, then ask for the bill.
One portion
Cho tôi một phần phở
Please give me one portion of pho
Ordering with cho tôi.
More water
Cho tôi thêm nước
Please give me more water
A useful extra request.
Bill
Cho tôi hoá đơn
Please give me the bill
Ask for the bill.
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Day 39 grammar focus
Grammar note: Cho tôi + item / Tôi muốn + dish
Cho tôi is a practical ordering frame. Tôi muốn is a softer I want frame.
Cho tôi + item
Cho tôi một phần phở
Please give me one portion of pho
Use for ordering a specific item.
Tôi muốn + dish
Tôi muốn gọi phở
I want to order pho
Use for saying what you want to order.
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Day 39 roleplay
Exercise: order for 3 people
Practice a short group order: menu, three dishes, one extra request, and the bill.
1
Menu
Cho tôi xem thực đơn
May I see the menu?
A practical restaurant opener.
2
Three people
Gọi món cho ba người
Order for three people
Group order roleplay line.
3
Request
Cho tôi thêm nước
Please give me more water
A useful extra request.
4
Pay
Tính tiền giúp
Check, please
A common way to ask to pay.
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Real situations
Choose and order
Get the menu, point to a dish, pick one portion, and say whether you eat there or take it away.
Pointing is fine; add cái này if you do not know the dish name.
Ask about dish types
Check rice, noodles, meat, seafood, vegetarian options, and fish sauce before ordering.
Có cơm không? Có mì không? Món này có thịt không? Không thịt Không hải sản Tôi ăn chay Có nước mắm không?
Say restrictions before the food is made, not after it arrives.
Customize the food
Control spice, sugar, herbs, onions, vegetables, and allergy risk.
Allergy and restriction phrases matter more than perfect grammar.
Utensils and table needs
Ask for water, spoon, chopsticks, or a takeaway box without a long explanation.
Food service is fast; short requests sound natural.
Fix and finish the order
Handle wrong dishes, change requests, wait time, payment, and compliments.
Use a calm tone when correcting an order.
All phrases
Play normal audio first, then slow audio, then save only the phrases you will actually need.
Cà phê sữa đá
Iced milk coffee
A daily phrase in southern coffee culture.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cà ca falling Let the voice fall gently. phê phe level Keep the voice steady and level. sữa sua broken Use a short broken rise. đá da rising Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Cà → cờ a ca huyền Cà
phê → phờ ê phê
sữa → sờ ưa sưa ngã sữa
đá → đờ a đa sắc đá
Cho tôi menu
Please give me the menu
A simple request in restaurants.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. menu menu level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
menu → mờ enu menu
Cho tôi một phần
Please give me one portion
Works at many food stalls.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. phần phan falling Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
một → mờ ôt môt nặng một
phần → phờ ân phân huyền phần
Ăn ở đây
Eat here
Use when sitting down.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Ăn an level Keep the final n short. ở o dipping Dip slightly, then recover. đây day level Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Ăn → ăn
ở → ơ hỏi ở
đây → đờ ây đây
Mang đi
Take away
Common cafe and food phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Mang mang level Keep the voice steady and level. đi di level Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Mang → mờ ang mang
đi → đờ i đi
Không cay
Not spicy
Useful at street food stalls.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không khong level Keep the voice steady and level. cay cay level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Không → khờ ông không
cay → cờ ay cay
Ít đường thôi
Less sugar, please
Helpful because many drinks are sweet by default.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Ít it rising Lift the voice upward. đường duong falling Đ starts like English d; do not say z. thôi thoi level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Ít → it sắc Ít
đường → đờ ương đương huyền đường
thôi → thờ ôi thôi
Không rau mùi
No cilantro
Useful if you dislike herbs.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không khong level Keep the voice steady and level. rau rau level Keep the voice steady and level. mùi mui falling Let the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Không → khờ ông không
rau → rờ au rau
mùi → mờ ui mui huyền mùi
Món này có thịt không?
Does this dish have meat?
Good for dietary checks.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. có co rising Lift the voice upward. thịt thit heavy Drop the voice low and short. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
có → cờ o co sắc có
thịt → thờ it thit nặng thịt
không → khờ ông không
Cho tôi nước lọc
Please give me water
Simple drink request.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. nước nuoc rising Lift the voice upward. lọc loc heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
nước → nờ ươc nươc sắc nước
lọc → lờ oc loc nặng lọc
Tính tiền giúp
Bill, please
Polite and common after eating.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tính tinh rising Lift the voice upward. tiền tien falling Keep the final n short. giúp giup rising Lift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Tính → tờ inh tinh sắc Tính
tiền → tờ iên tiên huyền tiền
giúp → giờ up giup sắc giúp
Ngon quá
So delicious
A friendly compliment.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Ngon ngon level Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound. quá qua rising Qu is closer to kw than English q.
Vietnamese spelling
Ngon → ngờ on ngon
quá → quờ a qua sắc quá
Cho tôi cái này
Please give me this one
Use while pointing.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. cái cai rising Lift the voice upward. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
cái → cờ ai cai sắc cái
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
Món nào ngon?
Which dish is good?
Ask for a recommendation.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. nào nao falling Let the voice fall gently. ngon ngon level Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
nào → nờ ao nao huyền nào
ngon → ngờ on ngon
Có cơm không?
Do you have rice?
Common meal base.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. cơm com level Keep the voice steady and level. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Có → cờ o co sắc Có
cơm → cờ ơm cơm
không → khờ ông không
Có mì không?
Do you have noodles?
Common meal option.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. mì mi falling Let the voice fall gently. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Có → cờ o co sắc Có
mì → mờ i mi huyền mì
không → khờ ông không
Không thịt
No meat
Short restriction.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không khong level Keep the voice steady and level. thịt thit heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Không → khờ ông không
thịt → thờ it thit nặng thịt
Không hải sản
No seafood
Useful dietary restriction.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không khong level Keep the voice steady and level. hải hai dipping Dip slightly, then recover. sản san dipping Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Không → khờ ông không
hải → hờ ai hai hỏi hải
sản → sờ an san hỏi sản
Tôi bị dị ứng đậu phộng
I am allergic to peanuts
Food safety phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. dị di heavy Drop the voice low and short. ứng ung rising Lift the voice upward. đậu dau heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. phộng phong heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi → tờ ôi tôi
bị → bờ i bi nặng bị
dị → dờ i di nặng dị
ứng → ưng sắc ứng
đậu → đờ âu đâu nặng đậu
phộng → phờ ông phông nặng phộng
Tôi ăn chay
I am vegetarian
Dietary phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. ăn an level Keep the final n short. chay chay level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi → tờ ôi tôi
ăn → ăn
chay → chờ ay chay
Có nước mắm không?
Does it have fish sauce?
Important ingredient check.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. nước nuoc rising Lift the voice upward. mắm mam rising Lift the voice upward. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Có → cờ o co sắc Có
nước → nờ ươc nươc sắc nước
mắm → mờ ăm măm sắc mắm
không → khờ ông không
Bỏ hành
Leave out onion or scallion
Common customization.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bỏ bo dipping Dip slightly, then recover. hành hanh falling Let the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Bỏ → bờ o bo hỏi Bỏ
hành → hờ anh hanh huyền hành
Thêm rau
More vegetables or herbs
Customization.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Thêm them level Keep the voice steady and level. rau rau level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Thêm → thờ êm thêm
rau → rờ au rau
Cho tôi muỗng
Please give me a spoon
Utensil request.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. muỗng muong broken Use a short broken rise.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
muỗng → mờ uông muông ngã muỗng
Cho tôi đũa
Please give me chopsticks
Utensil request.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. đũa dua broken Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
đũa → đờ ua đua ngã đũa
Món này sai rồi
This dish is wrong
Use when the wrong order arrives.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. sai sai level Keep the voice steady and level. rồi roi falling Let the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
sai → sờ ai sai
rồi → rờ ôi rôi huyền rồi
Đổi món được không?
Can I change the dish?
Fix an order problem.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Đổi doi dipping Đ starts like English d; do not say z. món mon rising Keep the final n short. được duoc heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Đổi → đờ ôi đôi hỏi Đổi
món → mờ on mon sắc món
được → đờ ươc đươc nặng được
không → khờ ông không
Cho tôi hộp mang về
Please give me a takeaway box
For leftovers or takeaway.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. hộp hop heavy Drop the voice low and short. mang mang level Keep the voice steady and level. về ve falling Let the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
hộp → hờ ôp hôp nặng hộp
mang → mờ ang mang
về → vờ ê vê huyền về
Tôi chưa gọi món này
I did not order this dish
Clarify a wrong order.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. chưa chua level Keep the voice steady and level. gọi goi heavy Drop the voice low and short. món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi → tờ ôi tôi
chưa → chờ ưa chưa
gọi → gờ oi goi nặng gọi
món → mờ on mon sắc món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
Bao lâu có đồ ăn?
How long will the food take?
Ask about wait time.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bao bao level Keep the voice steady and level. lâu lau level Keep the voice steady and level. có co rising Lift the voice upward. đồ do falling Đ starts like English d; do not say z. ăn an level Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Bao → bờ ao bao
lâu → lờ âu lâu
có → cờ o co sắc có
đồ → đờ ô đô huyền đồ
ăn → ăn
Cơm
Cooked rice
Cơm is cooked rice, ready to eat.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cơm com level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Cơm → cờ ơm cơm
Phở
Phở noodle soup
A famous Vietnamese noodle soup.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Phở pho dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Phở → phờ ơ phơ hỏi Phở
Bún
Rice vermicelli noodles
A common rice noodle base.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bún bun rising Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Bún → bờ un bun sắc Bún
Bánh mì
Bread / Vietnamese sandwich
Can mean bread or the Vietnamese sandwich.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bánh banh rising Lift the voice upward. mì mi falling Let the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Bánh → bờ anh banh sắc Bánh
mì → mờ i mi huyền mì
Rau
Vegetables / greens
Often means leafy greens or herbs in food contexts.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Rau rau level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Rau → rờ au rau
Thịt
Meat
General word for meat.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Thịt thit heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Thịt → thờ it thit nặng Thịt
Cá
Fish
Common protein word.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cá ca rising Lift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Cá → cờ a ca sắc Cá
Trứng
Egg
Useful for simple meals.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Trứng trung rising Lift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Trứng → trờ ưng trưng sắc Trứng
Đậu
Beans / tofu
Can refer to beans or tofu depending on the dish.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Đậu dau heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Đậu → đờ âu đâu nặng Đậu
Gạo
Uncooked rice grain
Gạo is rice before it is cooked.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Gạo gao heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Gạo → gờ ao gao nặng Gạo
Tôi ăn cơm
I eat rice
Simple ăn + food sentence.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. ăn an level Keep the final n short. cơm com level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi → tờ ôi tôi
ăn → ăn
cơm → cờ ơm cơm
Tôi uống nước
I drink water
Simple uống + drink sentence.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. uống uong rising Lift the voice upward. nước nuoc rising Lift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi → tờ ôi tôi
uống → uông sắc uống
nước → nờ ươc nươc sắc nước
Bạn ăn gì?
What are you eating?
Use ăn gì for food choices.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn ban heavy Keep the final n short. ăn an level Keep the final n short. gì gi falling Let the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Bạn → bờ an ban nặng Bạn
ăn → ăn
gì → gờ i gi huyền gì
Bạn uống gì?
What are you drinking?
Use uống gì for drink choices.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn ban heavy Keep the final n short. uống uong rising Lift the voice upward. gì gi falling Let the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Bạn → bờ an ban nặng Bạn
uống → uông sắc uống
gì → gờ i gi huyền gì
Cho tôi một phần cơm
Please give me one portion of rice
A short meal-ordering line.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. phần phan falling Keep the final n short. cơm com level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
một → mờ ôt môt nặng một
phần → phờ ân phân huyền phần
cơm → cờ ơm cơm
Cho tôi phở
Please give me phở
A simple phở order.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. phở pho dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
phở → phờ ơ phơ hỏi phở
Cho tôi cơm với thịt
Please give me rice with meat
Build a basic meal with với, meaning with.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. cơm com level Keep the voice steady and level. với voi rising Lift the voice upward. thịt thit heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
cơm → cờ ơm cơm
với → vờ ơi vơi sắc với
thịt → thờ it thit nặng thịt
Cho tôi phở và nước lọc
Please give me phở and water
Order a food item and a drink together.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. phở pho dipping Dip slightly, then recover. và va falling Let the voice fall gently. nước nuoc rising Lift the voice upward. lọc loc heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
phở → phờ ơ phơ hỏi phở
và → vờ a va huyền và
nước → nờ ươc nươc sắc nước
lọc → lờ oc loc nặng lọc
Tôi muốn gọi một bữa ăn
I want to order a meal
Use this as a full-meal practice frame.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. muốn muon rising Keep the final n short. gọi goi heavy Drop the voice low and short. một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. bữa bua broken Use a short broken rise. ăn an level Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi → tờ ôi tôi
muốn → mờ uôn muôn sắc muốn
gọi → gờ oi goi nặng gọi
một → mờ ôt môt nặng một
bữa → bờ ưa bưa ngã bữa
ăn → ăn
Nước
Water / liquid
A core drink word. In food contexts, nước often means water or a drink.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Nước nuoc rising Lift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Nước → nờ ươc nươc sắc Nước
Cà phê
Coffee
Use this for coffee generally; add sữa đá for iced milk coffee.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cà ca falling Let the voice fall gently. phê phe level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Cà → cờ a ca huyền Cà
phê → phờ ê phê
Trà
Tea
A common drink word in cafes and restaurants.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Trà tra falling Let the voice fall gently.
Vietnamese spelling
Trà → trờ a tra huyền Trà
Bia
Beer
Taught as vocabulary only.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bia bia level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Bia → bờ ia bia
Ngọt
Sweet
Use for sweet drinks and sweet food.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Ngọt ngot heavy Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Vietnamese spelling
Ngọt → ngờ ot ngot nặng Ngọt
Mặn
Salty
Useful when a dish has too much salt or fish sauce.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Mặn man heavy Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Mặn → mờ ăn măn nặng Mặn
Cay
Spicy
Pair with không cay when you want it not spicy.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cay cay level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Cay → cờ ay cay
Chua
Sour
Useful for soups, sauces, fruit, and fermented flavors.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Chua chua level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Chua → chờ ua chua
Đắng
Bitter
Common for coffee, tea, and bitter vegetables.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Đắng dang rising Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Đắng → đờ ăng đăng sắc Đắng
Béo
Rich / fatty / creamy
Use for rich, fatty, or creamy food and drinks.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Béo beo rising Lift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Béo → bờ eo beo sắc Béo
Thơm
Fragrant / aromatic
Use for food that smells good or tastes aromatic.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Thơm thom level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Thơm → thờ ơm thơm
Món này ngon
This dish is delicious
A high-frequency compliment for food.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. ngon ngon level Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
ngon → ngờ on ngon
Món này dở
This dish is bad / not tasty
A direct negative opinion; use gently in real situations.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. dở do dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
dở → dờ ơ dơ hỏi dở
Món này cay
This dish is spicy
Use Món này + flavor adjective.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. cay cay level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
cay → cờ ay cay
Món này mặn
This dish is salty
Use Món này + flavor adjective.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. mặn man heavy Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
mặn → mờ ăn măn nặng mặn
Món này chua
This dish is sour
Use Món này + flavor adjective.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. chua chua level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
chua → chờ ua chua
Món này đắng
This dish is bitter
Use Món này + flavor adjective.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. đắng dang rising Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
đắng → đờ ăng đăng sắc đắng
Món này béo
This dish is rich / fatty
Use Món này + flavor adjective.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. béo beo rising Lift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
béo → bờ eo beo sắc béo
Món này thơm
This dish smells good / is aromatic
Use Món này + flavor adjective.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. thơm thom level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Món → mờ on mon sắc Món
này → nờ ay nay huyền này
thơm → thờ ơm thơm
Tôi thích phở
I like phở
A short favorite-food model sentence.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. thích thich rising Lift the voice upward. phở pho dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi → tờ ôi tôi
thích → thờ ich thich sắc thích
phở → phờ ơ phơ hỏi phở
Phở ngon và thơm
Phở is delicious and fragrant
Use và to connect two flavor words.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Phở pho dipping Dip slightly, then recover. ngon ngon level Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound. và va falling Let the voice fall gently. thơm thom level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Phở → phờ ơ phơ hỏi Phở
ngon → ngờ on ngon
và → vờ a va huyền và
thơm → thờ ơm thơm
Bún chua cay
Sour and spicy vermicelli noodles
A compact food description with two flavors.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bún bun rising Keep the final n short. chua chua level Keep the voice steady and level. cay cay level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Bún → bờ un bun sắc Bún
chua → chờ ua chua
cay → cờ ay cay
Cà phê đắng nhưng ngon
Coffee is bitter but delicious
Use nhưng to contrast two opinions.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cà ca falling Let the voice fall gently. phê phe level Keep the voice steady and level. đắng dang rising Đ starts like English d; do not say z. nhưng nhung level Keep the voice steady and level. ngon ngon level Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Vietnamese spelling
Cà → cờ a ca huyền Cà
phê → phờ ê phê
đắng → đờ ăng đăng sắc đắng
nhưng → nhờ ưng nhưng
ngon → ngờ on ngon
Cho tôi xem thực đơn
May I see the menu?
A practical restaurant opener.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. xem xem level Keep the voice steady and level. thực thuc heavy Drop the voice low and short. đơn don level Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
xem → xờ em xem
thực → thờ ưc thưc nặng thực
đơn → đờ ơn đơn
Tôi muốn gọi món
I would like to order
Use when ready to order.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. muốn muon rising Keep the final n short. gọi goi heavy Drop the voice low and short. món mon rising Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi → tờ ôi tôi
muốn → mờ uôn muôn sắc muốn
gọi → gờ oi goi nặng gọi
món → mờ on mon sắc món
Tính tiền giúp
Check, please
A common way to ask to pay.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tính tinh rising Lift the voice upward. tiền tien falling Keep the final n short. giúp giup rising Lift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Tính → tờ inh tinh sắc Tính
tiền → tờ iên tiên huyền tiền
giúp → giờ up giup sắc giúp
Thực đơn
menu
Also often heard as menu.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Thực thuc heavy Drop the voice low and short. đơn don level Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Thực → thờ ưc thưc nặng Thực
đơn → đờ ơn đơn
Gọi món
order food
Restaurant action phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Gọi goi heavy Drop the voice low and short. món mon rising Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Gọi → gờ oi goi nặng Gọi
món → mờ on mon sắc món
Phục vụ
server / service
Can mean server or service.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Phục phuc heavy Drop the voice low and short. vụ vu heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Vietnamese spelling
Phục → phờ uc phuc nặng Phục
vụ → vờ u vu nặng vụ
Tính tiền
calculate the bill / pay
Use when asking for the check.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tính tinh rising Lift the voice upward. tiền tien falling Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Tính → tờ inh tinh sắc Tính
tiền → tờ iên tiên huyền tiền
Hoá đơn
bill / receipt
Also written hóa đơn.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Hoá hoa rising Lift the voice upward. đơn don level Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Hoá → hờ oa hoa sắc Hoá
đơn → đờ ơn đơn
Phần
portion
Common for one serving.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Phần phan falling Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Phần → phờ ân phân huyền Phần
Suất
serving / portion
Often used for set portions.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Suất suat rising Lift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Suất → sờ uât suât sắc Suất
Khẩu phần
portion size
More formal portion word.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Khẩu khau dipping Dip slightly, then recover. phần phan falling Keep the final n short.
Vietnamese spelling
Khẩu → khờ âu khâu hỏi Khẩu
phần → phờ ân phân huyền phần
Thêm
more / extra
Use to request extra.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Thêm them level Keep the voice steady and level.
Vietnamese spelling
Thêm → thờ êm thêm
Cho tôi một phần phở
Please give me one portion of pho
Ordering with cho tôi.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. phần phan falling Keep the final n short. phở pho dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
một → mờ ôt môt nặng một
phần → phờ ân phân huyền phần
phở → phờ ơ phơ hỏi phở
Cho tôi thêm nước
Please give me more water
A useful extra request.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. thêm them level Keep the voice steady and level. nước nuoc rising Lift the voice upward.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
thêm → thờ êm thêm
nước → nờ ươc nươc sắc nước
Cho tôi hoá đơn
Please give me the bill
Ask for the bill.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. hoá hoa rising Lift the voice upward. đơn don level Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Vietnamese spelling
Cho → chờ o cho
tôi → tờ ôi tôi
hoá → hờ oa hoa sắc hoá
đơn → đờ ơn đơn
Tôi muốn gọi phở
I want to order pho
Ordering with Tôi muốn.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. muốn muon rising Keep the final n short. gọi goi heavy Drop the voice low and short. phở pho dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi → tờ ôi tôi
muốn → mờ uôn muôn sắc muốn
gọi → gờ oi goi nặng gọi
phở → phờ ơ phơ hỏi phở
Gọi món cho ba người
Order for three people
Group order roleplay line.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Gọi goi heavy Drop the voice low and short. món mon rising Keep the final n short. cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. ba ba level Keep the voice steady and level. người nguoi falling Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Vietnamese spelling
Gọi → gờ oi goi nặng Gọi
món → mờ on mon sắc món
cho → chờ o cho
ba → bờ a ba
người → ngờ ươi ngươi huyền người
Mini dialogue
You
Cho tôi menu.
Please give me the menu.
You
Cho tôi một phần, không cay.
Please give me one portion, not spicy.
Staff
Ăn ở đây hay mang đi?
Eat here or take away?
You
Ăn ở đây. Tính tiền giúp.
Eat here. Bill, please.
Practice ladder
- 1 Play the first phrase at normal speed once.
- 2 Play it slowly, then repeat it aloud without reading English.
- 3 Cover the Vietnamese and recall it from the situation.
- 4 Save only the phrases you would actually need this week.
- 5 Review saved phrases tomorrow before learning new ones.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate “not spicy” as a full sentence; Không cay is enough.
- Do not wait until after ordering to mention allergies or restrictions.
- Do not say menu with English-only pronunciation if the staff does not understand; point and say Cho tôi menu.
Cultural notes
- Southern stalls often move fast, so short requests are normal.
- Many drinks are sweet by default; ít đường thôi is useful even if you know no other food Vietnamese.
Meaning check
Quick practice
You want one portion but not spicy. Which line helps most?
Finish this phrasebook
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Mark complete only after you have listened, practiced, and saved at least one useful phrase. Then continue straight to the next task.
Week 3 · Day 19 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
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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.