4 minute story
A Full Beginner Conversation
A short beginner story for recognizing general conversation phrases in context.
Story
You greet a friend, make a plan, explain a small problem, and close warmly with Rất vui được nói chuyện. The conversation is simple but complete.
Useful language
| Vietnamese | English | Practice note |
|---|---|---|
| Cho tôi hỏi | May I ask? | Polite opener before asking a question. |
| Bạn có rảnh không? | Are you free? | Useful before inviting or asking for help. |
| Mình nói chuyện một chút được không? | Can we talk for a bit? | Soft way to start a short conversation. |
| Bạn có thời gian không? | Do you have time? | Use before a longer question. |
| Bạn đang làm gì? | What are you doing? | Casual conversation starter. |
| Có gì mới không? | What is new? | Friendly catch-up question. |
| Hôm nay thế nào? | How is today? | Simple check-in. |
| Dạo này bạn sao rồi? | How have you been lately? | Warmer catch-up question. |
Read it again
Read the story once for meaning. Read it a second time and pause at each Vietnamese phrase. On the third pass, cover the English translation and see if the situation helps you remember the phrase.
Practice
Imagine the same scene tomorrow. Change one detail: the location, the price, the drink, the person, or the time. Say the Vietnamese phrase again with that new detail in mind.
Story phrases
Cho tôi hỏi
May I ask?
Polite opener before asking a question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Native audio planned. This card is text-first until the Southern Vietnamese recording is connected.
Bạn có rảnh không?
Are you free?
Useful before inviting or asking for help.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Native audio planned. This card is text-first until the Southern Vietnamese recording is connected.
Mình nói chuyện một chút được không?
Can we talk for a bit?
Soft way to start a short conversation.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Native audio planned. This card is text-first until the Southern Vietnamese recording is connected.
Bạn có thời gian không?
Do you have time?
Use before a longer question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Native audio planned. This card is text-first until the Southern Vietnamese recording is connected.
Bạn đang làm gì?
What are you doing?
Casual conversation starter.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Native audio planned. This card is text-first until the Southern Vietnamese recording is connected.
Có gì mới không?
What is new?
Friendly catch-up question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Native audio planned. This card is text-first until the Southern Vietnamese recording is connected.
Hôm nay thế nào?
How is today?
Simple check-in.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Native audio planned. This card is text-first until the Southern Vietnamese recording is connected.
Dạo này bạn sao rồi?
How have you been lately?
Warmer catch-up question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Native audio planned. This card is text-first until the Southern Vietnamese recording is connected.
Finish this story
Ready to mark complete?
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.