I have attempted to compile here some of my notes written as I struggle to learn Vietnamese. They are only a PHONETIC representation of what the phrase or word sounds like TO ME and I cannot guarantee that it sounds the same to everyone. The actual written Vietnamese word, with the special characters, is way beyond me at this point. Even at that, what I write here might be pronounced differently by different readers. So beware.
WARNING: Vietnamese is a highly tonal, inflected language. With just the right (or wrong) rising or lowering of the vocal tone and emphasis, a word can drastically alter it's meaning. And with such an alteration, the entire context of a statement can shift from a polite greeting to a crude statement about someone's genitals! This is not an exaggeration. Therefore, be forewarned that things are not always as easy as they appear.
And, don't forget - I DO NOT know how to speak Vietnamese.... Otherwise I wouldn't have needed to write these notes for myself. I present them here only as some sort of quick reference aid for the totally lost traveler who find themselves in need of such, as I often do. So far, my western-devil tongue has been forgiven for most of its transgressions as I use this phonetic approach to blundering through a new language.
Also, I apologize for any embarrassment or insult I might cause to those who "really know" the language. Like I say, this is just the way I hear it. I suspect I'll hear promptly from anyone with such a problem.
With that brief introduction, let me share with you some of the useful words and phrases that I've run into.
Before we get started into the actual vocabulary part, I've been cautioned by some friends that I should spend time up-front with the concepts of addressing others. That's exactly correct, but is *almost* a separate topic unto its own. (Many thanks to John Eyres, Arizona State for letting me quote his examples.)
[Other sites for learning Vietnamese include
here , run by Viet Tran; or
Here are a few pointers:
Here are a few simplified rules for general guidance (again, these are phonetic pronunciations) :
a great site by VietCall.com
- You choose the form of addressing someone based (mainly) on age;
- You need to be pretty accurate in your estimates of age;
- Failure to get this correct can be a cause of embarrassment for both you and the party you are talking to.
- The term "em" is used for anyone of either sex who is significantly younger than you;
- If you addressed a woman as old as or older than you as "em" it would be really offensive;
- A woman your age should be addressed as "chi" (chee) and an older or a married woman as "ba".
- "ang" should only be used for men your age or younger;
- "Owng" is the better way to address older men. Using "anh" would be like saying "hey you" to your grandfather.
I
toy
we
chung-ta
you
dependent on age (em, ang, chee, ba, owng).
Hello (generic)
Sin chow
Goodbye
Tom bee it
I'll see you again
hen gawp lie
Thank you
Caam uhrn
Thank you very much
Caam uhrn neow
Don't mention it (You're welcome)
Kong kawchi
Excuse me.
Sin loi
Please
sin
Yes
Caw /or/ Za
No
Kung
What is your name?
Em ten zee (to female)
What is your name?
Ang ten zee (to male)
My name is _____
Toy ten _____
How are you?
Em coh quay kong (to female)
How are you?
Ang coh quay kong (to male)
Thank you. I am fine.
Caam urhn. Toy quay.
I am happy
toy zet voo-ey
I am happy to see you (male/female/etc)
toy zet voo-ey gawp lie (ang/em/etc)
I am happy to meet you (male/female/etc)
toy zet voo-ey gawp (ang/em/etc)
I am happy to have a conversation together with you
toy zet voo-ey noy chwit voy (ang/em)
....... to have the opportunity....
doo-awk
What time is it?
Myza
What time do we leave?
Myza chung ta dee
When do we arrive?
Myza chung ta den
Where do we go now?
Beza chung ta dee dow
Where are we?
Chung ta uuh dao
I don't understand
Toy kung hey-oh
I don't know the Vietnam Language
Toy kung bee-it tieng viet
I have to piss.
Toy dee die
I have to shit
Toy dee ee'ah
I am hungry
Toy doy
I am thirsty
Toy caht
Stop! (harsh command=Halt!)
Zung Lie
I need a doctor
Toy khan baak' see
I am sick.
Toy kung quay
I feel tired
toy med
Oh! Dear me!
Choy oy
I want
toy moo-un
I need
toy kaan
I would like
toy tick
I must
toy fie
What is this?
Die zee day
What is that?
Die zee kee-ah
I want to take a picture.
Toy chop eye'ng
How much does this cost?
Bow neuw tee-en
I want to buy this
Toy nooun moo-ah guy nie
I don't want to buy this
Toy kung moo-ah
I need to change money
Toy khan doy tee-en
this one
guy nie
go to buy goods
dee moo-ah han wah
go to buy something
dee moo-ah doe
Go away quickly
Sin my dee dee
I don't like this.
Toy kung tick
Go Home!
dee vay
Go to school!
dee hop
It is raining
Choy mur
It is sunny
Choy nang
Waiter. My bill. (if younger)
Em oy. Tin tee-en
with ice (if younger)
co dah
without sugar
kung dung
A little bit
mote chute
bread
buyg-mee
water
nook
water (spring water=drinking water)
nook su-way
egg
trung
bird
chim
eat
aahn
This food is very delicious
come zut nawn
please bring me ______
sin doo-ah toy______
very cold
oop liegh
hot
nong
Friend
Baan
Sir
Ong (if older)
Madam
Ba (if older)
I am crazy
Toy din-din kung-kung
I work at the office
Toy lam vick a van fahng
walk (go by walking)
dee bow
today
hom nie
one
mote
two
high
three
baa
four
bone
five
nam
six
sal
seven
by
eight
tom
nine
chin
ten
moe-ooy