Bạn khỏe không?
How are you?
Safe beginner question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn ban heavy Keep the final n short. khỏe khoe dipping Dip slightly, then recover. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Southern Vietnamese
Vietnamese Small Talk Phrases
Simple everyday conversation starters.
All phrases
Play normal audio first, then slow audio, then save only the phrases you will actually need.
Bạn ở đâu?
Where do you live?
Common but personal.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn ban heavy Keep the final n short. ở o dipping Dip slightly, then recover. đâu dau level Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Bạn đến Việt Nam lâu chưa?
Have you been in Vietnam long?
Common expat question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bạn ban heavy Keep the final n short. đến den rising Đ starts like English d; do not say z. Việt viet heavy Drop the voice low and short. Nam nam level Keep the voice steady and level. lâu lau level Keep the voice steady and level. chưa chua level Keep the voice steady and level.
Tôi thích Việt Nam
I like Vietnam
Friendly statement.
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. Việt viet heavy Drop the voice low and short. Nam nam level Keep the voice steady and level.
Món này ngon
This dish is good
Easy food comment.
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.
Trời mưa rồi
It is raining now
Useful weather comment.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Trời troi falling Let the voice fall gently. mưa mua level Keep the voice steady and level. rồi roi falling Let the voice fall gently.
Tôi muốn hỏi về chuyện hôm nay
I want to ask about today’s small talk
Use this to open a today’s small talk 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. chuyện chuyen heavy Keep the final n short. hôm hom level Keep the voice steady and level. nay nay level Keep the voice steady and level.
Bạn giúp tôi về chuyện hôm nay được không?
Can you help me with today’s small talk?
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. chuyện chuyen heavy Keep the final n short. hôm hom level Keep the voice steady and level. nay nay 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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