Southern Vietnamese
Use these everyday phrases to start conversations, repair confusion, react naturally, make plans, ask for help, and close warmly.
Mini lesson
Use this page when you already know greetings but need flexible Vietnamese for normal daily conversation with locals, friends, staff, or coworkers.
Open politely, then slow things down when you miss a word or meaning.
Conversation repair phrases are what keep beginners from freezing.
Use short reactions instead of translating long English opinions word by word.
These short answers appear constantly in real conversation.
Set place, time, delay, and next steps without needing a full grammar lesson.
These are especially useful in messages and casual meetups.
Request help, ask for an action, then close the exchange politely.
Use short clear requests; politeness comes from calm tone and context.
Play normal audio first, then slow audio, then save only the phrases you will actually need.
Cho tôi hỏi
May I ask?
Polite opener before asking a question.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn có rảnh không?
Are you free?
Useful before inviting or asking for help.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Mình nói chuyện một chút được không?
Can we talk for a bit?
Soft way to start a short conversation.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn có thời gian không?
Do you have time?
Use before a longer question.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn đang làm gì?
What are you doing?
Casual conversation starter.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có gì mới không?
What is new?
Friendly catch-up question.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Hôm nay thế nào?
How is today?
Simple check-in.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Dạo này bạn sao rồi?
How have you been lately?
Warmer catch-up question.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Mình gặp ở đâu?
Where should we meet?
Planning phrase.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn đang ở đâu?
Where are you now?
Useful for meeting someone.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi không hiểu
I do not understand
Essential repair phrase.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi chưa hiểu
I do not understand yet
Useful when you need more explanation.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi hiểu rồi
I understand now
Close a clarification loop.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn nói gì?
What did you say?
Direct listening repair.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Nói lại được không?
Can you repeat?
Ask someone to say it again.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Nói chậm hơn được không?
Can you speak slower?
Slows the conversation down.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Viết ra được không?
Can you write it down?
Helpful when tones or numbers are hard.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi nghe không rõ
I cannot hear clearly
Use in calls or noisy places.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Ý bạn là gì?
What do you mean?
Ask for meaning, not just repetition.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Giải thích giúp tôi
Please explain
Ask for a clearer explanation.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Đúng rồi
That is right
Confirm someone understood.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không đúng
Not right
Correct gently.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Được
Okay / possible
Very high-frequency response.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không được
Not okay / not possible
Useful refusal or rule phrase.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có thể
Maybe / possible
Soft uncertain answer.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Chắc chắn
Sure / definitely
Confident answer.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi nghĩ vậy
I think so
Soft opinion.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi không nghĩ vậy
I do not think so
Gentle disagreement.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi đồng ý
I agree
Clear agreement.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi không đồng ý
I disagree
Clear disagreement.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tùy bạn
Up to you
Common casual answer.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Sao cũng được
Anything is fine
Casual flexible answer.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Vui quá
So fun
Positive reaction.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Hay quá
Great / interesting
Useful compliment for ideas, music, stories, and plans.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Dễ thương quá
So cute
Common friendly reaction.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Đẹp quá
So beautiful
Useful compliment.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Ngon quá
So good / delicious
Essential food reaction.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Mệt quá
So tired
Daily feeling phrase.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Nóng quá
So hot
Very common in Vietnam.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Lạnh quá
So cold
Weather or room temperature phrase.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tiếc quá
What a pity
Reaction to bad timing or missed chances.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không sao
No problem
Reassuring response.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không vấn đề gì
No problem at all
Stronger reassurance.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi hơi lo
I am a little worried
Softly express concern.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn muốn đi đâu?
Where do you want to go?
Planning question.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Đi cà phê không?
Want to get coffee?
Natural casual invitation.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Đi ăn không?
Want to eat?
Natural food invitation.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Khi nào đi?
When should we go?
Plan timing.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Mấy giờ gặp?
What time should we meet?
Meeting-time question.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Gặp ở đây nhé
Let us meet here
Simple plan confirmation.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi đến muộn
I will be late
Useful update.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Đợi tôi một chút
Wait for me a moment
Ask someone to wait.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi đang đến
I am on my way
Common text message.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Hẹn lúc bảy giờ
Meet at seven
Specific meeting plan.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Để lần sau nhé
Maybe next time
Soft refusal or delay.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi bận rồi
I am busy now
Clear scheduling response.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Giúp tôi được không?
Can you help me?
General help request.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho tôi xem
Let me see
Use when pointing at something.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho tôi thử
Let me try
Useful in shops and learning situations.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho tôi mượn
Can I borrow it?
Borrowing request.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Làm lại được không?
Can you do it again?
Ask someone to repeat an action.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Gửi cho tôi
Send it to me
Useful for messages and files.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Gọi cho tôi
Call me
Phone request.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Nhắn tin cho tôi
Text me
Messaging request.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Chụp hình được không?
Can I take a photo?
Ask permission before taking a photo.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cái này là gì?
What is this?
Useful while pointing.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Làm sao dùng cái này?
How do I use this?
Ask how something works.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cảm ơn nhiều
Thanks a lot
Warm thank you.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Xin lỗi
Sorry / excuse me
Core polite phrase.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không có gì
You are welcome
Polite response to thanks.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Rất vui được nói chuyện
Nice talking with you
Warm closing line.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Mình giữ liên lạc nhé
Let us keep in touch
Friendly future contact phrase.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Mai gặp lại
See you tomorrow
Useful everyday goodbye.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Chúc ngủ ngon
Good night
Night closing phrase.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Đi đường cẩn thận
Get home safe
Warm goodbye after meeting.
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
You
Cho tôi hỏi, bạn có thời gian không?
May I ask, do you have time?
Local
Có, bạn cần gì?
Yes, what do you need?
You
Tôi không hiểu. Nói chậm hơn được không?
I do not understand. Can you speak slower?
Local
Được.
Okay.
You
Cảm ơn nhiều.
Thanks a lot.
Meaning check
A local explains too fast and you want them to slow down. Which line should you use?
Finish this phrasebook
Mark complete only after you have listened, practiced, and saved at least one useful phrase. Then continue straight to the next task.
Listen to at least 3 phrases
Use normal audio first, then slow audio.
Save at least 1 phrase
Only save phrases you would actually reuse.
Finish the quiz or practice task
Check that you can recall the idea, not only read it.
Mark this page complete
Completion is manual so you stay in control.
Start with the Learn these first section, listen at normal speed, repeat slowly, then save only the phrases you expect to use.
No. Memorize the first urgent or high-frequency phrases, then use scenarios and spaced review to add the rest gradually.
