Tôi tên là...
My name is...
Simple introduction.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. tên ten level Keep the final n short. là la falling Let the voice fall gently.
Southern Vietnamese
Vietnamese Introduction Phrases
Introduce yourself clearly in beginner Vietnamese.
All phrases
Play normal audio first, then slow audio, then save only the phrases you will actually need.
Tôi là người Mỹ
I am American
Change nationality as needed.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. là la falling Let the voice fall gently. người nguoi falling Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound. Mỹ my broken Use a short broken rise.
Tôi sống ở Sài Gòn
I live in Saigon
Common for expats.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. sống song rising Lift the voice upward. ở o dipping Dip slightly, then recover. Sài sai falling Let the voice fall gently. Gòn gon falling Keep the final n short.
Rất vui được gặp bạn
Nice to meet you
Polite phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Rất rat rising Lift the voice upward. vui vui level Keep the voice steady and level. được duoc heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. gặp gap heavy Drop the voice low and short. bạn ban heavy Keep the final n short.
Tôi đang học tiếng Việt
I am learning Vietnamese
Useful icebreaker.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. đang dang level Đ starts like English d; do not say z. học hoc heavy Drop the voice low and short. tiếng tieng rising Lift the voice upward. Việt viet heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Tôi nói chưa giỏi
I do not speak well yet
Sets expectation kindly.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. nói noi rising Lift the voice upward. chưa chua level Keep the voice steady and level. giỏi gioi dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Tôi muốn hỏi về bản thân tôi
I want to ask about myself
Use this to open a myself conversation.
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. hỏi hoi dipping Dip slightly, then recover. về ve falling Let the voice fall gently. bản ban dipping Keep the final n short. thân than level Keep the final n short. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level.
Bạn giúp tôi về bản thân tôi được không?
Can you help me with myself?
A polite help request.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn ban heavy Keep the final n short. giúp giup rising Lift the voice upward. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. về ve falling Let the voice fall gently. bản ban dipping Keep the final n short. thân than level Keep the final n short. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. được duoc heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
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.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. chưa chua level Keep the voice steady and level. hiểu hieu dipping Dip slightly, then recover. phần phan falling Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently.
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.
Nói noi rising Lift the voice upward. lại lai heavy Drop the voice low and short. giúp giup rising Lift the voice upward. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. được duoc heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
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.
Viết viet rising Lift the voice upward. ra ra level Keep the voice steady and level. giúp giup rising Lift the voice upward. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. được duoc heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
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.
Cái cai rising Lift the voice upward. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. nghĩa nghia broken Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound. là la falling Let the voice fall gently. gì gi falling Let the voice fall gently.
Tôi cần thêm thông tin
I need more information
Keeps the conversation moving.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. cần can falling Keep the final n short. thêm them level Keep the voice steady and level. thông thong level Keep the voice steady and level. tin tin level Keep the final n short.
Khi nào xong?
When will it be finished?
Ask for timing clearly.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Khi khi level Keep the voice steady and level. nào nao falling Let the voice fall gently. xong xong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Bao nhiêu tiền?
How much is it?
Use for prices, fees, and services.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bao bao level Keep the voice steady and level. nhiêu nhieu level Keep the voice steady and level. tiền tien falling Keep the final n short.
Meaning check
Quick practice
Which Vietnamese line best fits this page?
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