Vietnamese, a tonal language rich with Thai, Khmer, and Chinese influences, has a fascinating history and a unique structure that can challenge even the most linguistically inclined Westerners. Despite its complexity, making an effort to learn some basic phrases can leave a lasting impression on locals, even though English is widely spoken in urban areas and has largely replaced Russian as the primary foreign language since the economic reforms of Đổi Mới.
The Evolution of Vietnamese Writing
Vietnamese was originally written using Chinese characters until the 14th century when the indigenous Chữ Nôm script was developed. However, this system was replaced in the 17th century by Quốc Ngữ, a Romanized script created by a French missionary, which remains the standard writing system today. While rare, you may still find Chữ Nôm inscriptions in historic temples and pagodas.
Dialects and Diversity
The Vietnamese language is divided into three main dialects: Northern, Central, and Southern. While they share similarities, pronunciation differences can sometimes lead to misunderstandings even among native speakers. Additionally, Vietnam’s many ethnic minorities have their own languages, so learning a few Vietnamese phrases may not always bridge the communication gap in remote areas.
Why Learn Vietnamese?
Although not essential for visitors, learning Vietnamese can enrich your experience. It can help in connecting with locals and navigating through less touristy areas. For those eager to go beyond basic phrases, self-teaching kits like those from Audio-Forum can be a helpful resource.
Mastering Vietnamese Pronunciation
Vietnamese is a tonal language, with six tones that completely alter the meaning of a word. For example, the word ba can mean “three,” “grandmother,” “poisoned food,” or several other things depending on the tone. Here’s a quick guide:
- Mid-level tone: (unmarked) steady and neutral
- Low falling tone: marked with à
- Low rising tone: marked with ả
- High broken tone: marked with ã
- High rising tone: marked with á
- Low broken tone: marked with ạ
The complexity doesn’t stop there; Vietnamese vowels and consonants have their own distinct sounds, many of which differ significantly from English.
Vowel Pronunciation Guide
- a: as in father
- ă: like the u in hut
- â: prolonged version of uh
- e: as in bed
- ê: as in pay
- i: as in -ing
- o: as in hot
- ô: as in awe
- ơ: as in fur
- u: as in boo
- ư: similar to the French u
Key Consonant Sounds
- ch: like j in jar
- d: like y in yes
- đ: like d in day
- ng: like ng in sing
- nh: like ny in canyon
Essential Phrases for Visitors
Learning a few polite phrases can go a long way. Here’s a cheat sheet:
Greetings and Small Talk
- Hello: Chào ông/bà
- How are you?: Ông/bà có khỏe không?
- Fine, thank you: Tôi khỏe, cảm ơn.
- Goodbye: Chào, tạm biệt
- Excuse me: Xin lỗi (to apologize) / Xin phép (to get attention)
- Thank you: Cảm ơn ông/bà
- What’s your name?: Ông/bà tên gì?
- My name is…: Tên tôi là…
Emergencies
- Can you help me?: Ông/bà có thể giúp tôi không?
- Please call a doctor: Làm ơn gọi bác sĩ
Getting Around
- Where is…?: Ở đâu…?
- How much is the ticket?: Vé bao nhiêu tiền?
- Please stop here: Xin dừng lại đây
Eating and Drinking
- I don’t eat meat: Tôi không ăn thịt
- Delicious: Rất ngon
- No ice, please: Không đá, cảm ơn
Numbers and Counting
Knowing numbers is essential for shopping and traveling. Here’s a quick overview:
- One: Một
- Two: Hai
- Ten: Mười
- Twenty: Hai mươi
- One hundred: Một trăm
Cultural Tip
Addressing people correctly is important in Vietnamese culture. Use ông for older men, bà for older women, anh for younger men, and chị for younger women. When in doubt, err on the side of formality to avoid offending anyone.
Mastering even a few basics can open up new dimensions to your Vietnamese adventure and deepen your connection with the country’s rich culture. So grab your phrasebook and start practicing!
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