Where do the 100 words come from? Is this a real frequency list?

Yes. The list is hand-picked from four public, named sources: Pham's "A Frequency Dictionary of Vietnamese" (Routledge 2025, the top 5 000 lemmas with corpus counts from both written and spoken Vietnamese); the Vietnamese Ministry of Education's official A1 proficiency syllabus for foreigners (Khung năng lực tiếng Việt dùng cho người nước ngoài, 2017 — Vietnam's equivalent of CEFR for tiếng Việt); Nguyễn Đình Hoà's NTC Vietnamese-English Dictionary (NTC Publishing 1995, the gold- standard learner dictionary); and Đoàn Thiện Thuật's "Ngữ âm tiếng Việt" (NXB ĐHQG HN 1999) for Hanoi-standard IPA. Function- word noise (the / a / and) was dropped — beginners can't build a sentence around them — and replaced with concrete vocabulary in the same frequency band: greetings, numbers, family terms, the 20 most-used verbs. Every spelling, tone, and IPA mark was cross-checked against Vietnamese Wiktionary and the Đại từ điển tiếng Việt (Nguyễn Như Ý editor). No LLM-invented entries; if any entry looks off, file an issue with a corpus reference.

Why only 100 words? Vietnamese has tens of thousands of words.

Because the first 100 words cover roughly 50% of spoken Vietnamese token frequency (per the Pham frequency dictionary spoken-section counts, which match the well-known Zipf distribution seen in every major language). The next 400 add another 15%, and word 1 001 is below 0.01% — at that point your time is better spent on input than on flashcards. The honest path is: finish these 100, then watch 50 hours of comprehensible Vietnamese (Tieng Viet Oi on YouTube, the Learn Vietnamese with Annie podcast, VTV news with subtitles) before reaching for word 200. This tool is the minimum viable vocabulary so you can start consuming real Vietnamese; it is not a substitute for input.

The audio — is it a real Vietnamese voice or a robot?

It's your operating system's built-in Vietnamese text-to-speech voice, routed through the browser's Web Speech API at lang="vi-VN". macOS ships Linh (Vietnam) — a passable Hanoi voice. Windows uses HoaiMy / NamMinh from Microsoft. Linux falls back to espeak which sounds noticeably robotic for a tonal language; the open-source vbee or VOS Vietnamese voices are much better. We don't ship our own audio files because (a) it would balloon the page past the 28 KB budget, and (b) your OS Vietnamese voices are already understandable and free. The tool just forwards whatever vi-VN voice you have configured.

How do the six tones work? Why is the tone marked separately from the IPA?

Vietnamese is a fully tonal language — change the tone, change the word. "Ma" alone can mean ghost (ma, ngang), mother (má, sắc — Southern) or cheek (má, sắc), rice seedling (mạ, nặng), tomb (mả, hỏi), horse (mã, ngã), or but (mà, huyền). The six Hanoi tones are: ngang (level, no diacritic — flat mid-pitch), huyền (low falling, à — drops from mid to low), sắc (high rising, á — starts mid, rises sharply), hỏi (dipping-rising, ả — falls then rises, the question-mark tone), ngã (broken / glottalized, ã — rises with a glottal interruption in the middle, hardest for foreigners), and nặng (low dropping, ạ — short and dropped, often with creaky voice). We mark the tone with a color-coded badge on every card, alongside the IPA contour numerals, so you learn pitch and word together — much harder to retrofit later. Hanoi has all six; Saigon merges hỏi + ngã.

Do Vietnamese verbs conjugate? Why don't you show conjugation tables?

No — Vietnamese verbs do not conjugate. Same verb form for I, you, he, she, we, they, regardless of past / present / future, regardless of singular / plural. "Tôi ăn" = I eat. "Họ ăn" = they eat. "Tôi đã ăn" = I ate (the marker đã does the past work, the verb ăn stays put). "Tôi đang ăn" = I'm eating (đang = progressive). "Tôi sẽ ăn" = I will eat (sẽ = future). This is one of the genuinely easy things about Vietnamese for European-language speakers — the grammar is dramatically simpler than Spanish or German conjugation. The trade-off is paid in tones and pronouns: Vietnamese has no he / she / I / you in the abstract; you use the kinship term that matches the age and gender of who you're addressing (anh = "older brother / you-male-elder", chị = "older sister / you-female- elder", em = "younger sibling / I-to-elder", etc.). Five of those kinship-pronouns are in the 100-word list.

Vietnamese has Northern vs Southern dialects — which one is this?

Northern (Hà Nội) — specifically the standard used by VTV (Vietnam Television), VOV (Voice of Vietnam radio), and most serious learner textbooks. Hà Nội pronunciation is the de facto standard taught to foreigners because (a) it preserves all six tones distinctly (Saigon merges hỏi + ngã into one tone, losing 1/6 of the system), and (b) it has the cleanest consonant inventory — Hanoi distinguishes /tʂ/ vs /c/ vs /s/ while Saigon often collapses them. The 100 core words here are essentially identical in both dialects; the obvious lexical splits are flagged in the meaning (e.g. lợn / heo for pig — lợn is the Northern form we list, heo is Southern). If you're learning Vietnamese for Saigon / HCMC, swap our lợn for heo, bố for ba (dad), and read hỏi + ngã as the same tone. Everything else carries over.

Why does "xanh" mean both green AND blue?

Vietnamese (like Japanese aoi, Chinese 青, and many other Asian languages) historically does not split the green-blue spectrum the way English does. "Xanh" covers the whole range from forest green to deep sky blue. To disambiguate, modern Vietnamese compounds it: "xanh lá" (lá = leaf) for green specifically, "xanh dương" (dương = ocean) for blue, "xanh da trời" (da trời = sky) for sky-blue. But the base word "xanh" alone is genuinely ambiguous and you'll hear it used for both. This is not a translation error; it's how the language carves up color space. Our card flags this explicitly so you don't write to an issue asking why we said "green or blue".

Order a real bowl of phở in Hanoi without pointing at the menu

You land at Nội Bài with a 2-week trip and want to order without English. Filter to the food and numbers categories, star phở, bánh mì, cà phê sữa đá, plus 1 to 100. Tap each card's play button to drill the tones until "phở bò tái" sounds right. Three days in you can order, hear "bốn mươi nghìn" (40,000 đồng), and pay without a calculator.

Build a daily 20-word Anki-style review before a Saigon move

You're relocating to HCMC in two months. Each morning star 10 new words from the family and verb categories, then open your starred list (saved in localStorage) and self-test against the EN and ZH meanings. Read the dialect note: swap lợn for heo and bố for ba. In 8 weeks you reach the full 100 with audio reps, no app login.

Drill the six tones before a Vietnamese pronunciation class

Your tutor expects you to already hear ngang vs huyền vs sắc. Use the color-coded tone badge and IPA contour numerals (˧˧, ˨˩, ˧˥) on each card, focus on the ngã glottal-stop words that trip up foreigners, and replay the vi-VN voice 5 times per word. You arrive able to produce all six tones on "ma" and skip a week of remedial drilling.

Pre-teach core vocabulary for a beginner Vietnamese tutoring session

You teach Vietnamese online and want students to walk in knowing 50 words. Share the tool link filtered to greetings, family, and numbers; students star words and quiz themselves on EN/ZH meanings for homework. Class time then goes to sentence-building with đã / đang / sẽ instead of cold vocabulary lists, doubling your usable minutes per lesson.

Vietnamese 500 Essential Words (A1–A2) — IPA, 6 Tones, Hanoi Standard, TTS Audio (Free)

Vietnamese 500 essential A1–A2 words — chữ Quốc ngữ + IPA + 6 tones + audio TTS.

Runs locally
Category Text
Best for Removing repetitive cleanup work from everyday writing and operations.

Vietnamese 500 Essential Words

500 hand-picked A1-A2 Vietnamese words from Pham's "A Frequency Dictionary of Vietnamese" (Routledge 2025), the Vietnamese Ministry of Education's A1-A2 proficiency syllabus for foreigners, and Đoàn Thiện Thuật's Hà Nội-standard phonology. Original 10 categories all expanded plus 9 new sub-categories (body, weather, transport including xe máy / xe đạp, clothing including áo dài and nón lá, house with bếp / nồi / đũa, emotion, place, school and work, daily routine). Every card shows the word, IPA, one of the six tones (ngang / huyền / sắc / hỏi / ngã / nặng), EN + ZH meaning, part of speech, and a Vietnamese example with translations. Tap play for your OS's vi-VN voice.

807 words

xin chào/sin ʨaːw˨˩/huyen[interjection]
hello (formal)(你好 (正式))
chào/ʨaːw˨˩/huyen[interjection]
hi (informal)(嗨 / 你好 (非正式))
cảm ơn/kaːm˧˩ ʔəːn˧˧/hoi[interjection]
thank you(谢谢)
xin lỗi/sin˧˧ loːj˧ˀ˥/nga[interjection]
sorry / excuse me(对不起 / 不好意思)
tạm biệt/taːm˧ˀ˨ ɓiət˧ˀ˨/nang[interjection]
goodbye(再见)
vâng/vəŋ˧˧/ngang[interjection]
yes (to elders)(是 / 嗯 (对长辈))
dạ/zaː˧ˀ˨/nang[interjection]
yes (polite, southern)(是 (南方礼貌应答))
không/xəwŋ͡m˧˧/ngang[adverb]
no / not(不 / 没有)
vui/vuj˧˧/ngang[adjective]
glad(高兴 (常见于 "rất vui được gặp"))
khoẻ/xwɛ˧˩/hoi[adjective]
well / healthy(健康 / 好 (问候 "có khoẻ không"))
một/moːt˧ˀ˨/nang[number]
one(一)
hai/haːj˧˧/ngang[number]
two(二)
ba/ɓaː˧˧/ngang[number]
three(三)
bốn/ɓoːn˧˥/sac[number]
four(四)
năm/naːm˧˧/ngang[number]
five (also "year")(五 (也作"年"))
sáu/şaːw˧˥/sac[number]
six(六)
bảy/ɓaːj˧˩/hoi[number]
seven(七)
tám/taːm˧˥/sac[number]
eight(八)
chín/ʨin˧˥/sac[number]
nine (also "ripe")(九 (也作"熟透"))
mười/mɨəj˨˩/huyen[number]
ten(十)
hôm nay/hoːm˧˧ naːj˧˧/ngang[adverb]
today(今天)
ngày mai/ŋaːj˨˩ maːj˧˧/huyen[adverb]
tomorrow(明天)
hôm qua/hoːm˧˧ kwaː˧˧/ngang[adverb]
yesterday(昨天)
bây giờ/ɓəj˧˧ ʒəː˨˩/huyen[adverb]
now(现在)
ngày/ŋaːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
day(日 / 天)
đêm/ɗeːm˧˧/ngang[noun]
night(夜晚)
tuần/twən˨˩/huyen[noun]
week(周 / 星期)
giờ/ʒəː˨˩/huyen[noun]
hour / o'clock(小时 / 钟点)
bố/ɓoː˧˥/sac[noun]
dad (northern)(爸爸 (北方))
mẹ/mɛ˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
mom(妈妈)
anh/ʔaɲ˧˧/ngang[noun]
older brother / "you" (m)(哥哥 / 兄长 (也作"您"对男性))
chị/ʨi˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
older sister / "you" (f)(姐姐 (也作"您"对女性))
em/ʔɛm˧˧/ngang[noun]
younger sibling / "I" (to elders)(弟弟 / 妹妹 (也作"我"对长辈))
con/kɔn˧˧/ngang[noun]
child / offspring(孩子 / 子女)
bạn/ɓaːn˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
friend / "you" (peer)(朋友 / 你 (同辈))
gia đình/zaː˧˧ ɗiɲ˨˩/ngang[noun]
family(家庭)
nước/nɨək˧˥/sac[noun]
water(水)
cơm/kəːm˧˧/ngang[noun]
rice (cooked) / meal(米饭 / 饭)
phở/fəː˧˩/hoi[noun]
pho (rice noodle soup)(河粉)
bánh mì/ɓaɲ˧˥ mi˨˩/huyen[noun]
bread / Vietnamese baguette(面包 / 越南法棍三明治)
cà phê/kaː˨˩ feː˧˧/ngang[noun]
coffee(咖啡)
trà/ʨaː˨˩/huyen[noun]
tea(茶)
thịt/tʰit˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
meat(肉)
cá/kaː˧˥/sac[noun]
fish(鱼)
rau/zaːw˧˧/ngang[noun]
vegetables(蔬菜)
bia/ɓiə˧˧/ngang[noun]
beer(啤酒)
đỏ/ɗɔ˧˩/hoi[adjective]
red(红色)
xanh/saɲ˧˧/ngang[adjective]
green / blue (Vietnamese conflates)(绿色 / 蓝色 (越南语合一))
vàng/vaːŋ˨˩/huyen[adjective]
yellow (also "gold")(黄色 (也作"金"))
đen/ɗɛn˧˧/ngang[adjective]
black(黑色)
trắng/ʨaŋ˧˥/sac[adjective]
white(白色)
hồng/hoːŋ˨˩/huyen[adjective]
pink (also "rose")(粉色 (也作"玫瑰"))
tím/tim˧˥/sac[adjective]
purple(紫色)
nâu/nəw˧˧/ngang[adjective]
brown(棕色 / 褐色)
chó/ʨɔ˧˥/sac[noun]
dog(狗)
mèo/mɛw˨˩/huyen[noun]
cat(猫)
chim/ʨim˧˧/ngang[noun]
bird(鸟)
gà/ɣaː˨˩/huyen[noun]
chicken(鸡)
lợn/ləːn˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
pig (northern); "heo" (south)(猪 (北方); "heo" (南方))
trâu/ʨəw˧˧/ngang[noun]
water buffalo (iconic in rural Vietnam)(水牛 (越南农村常见))
là/laː˨˩/huyen[verb]
to be (copula, noun-to-noun)(是 (系动词,连接名词与名词))
có/kɔ˧˥/sac[verb]
to have / there is(有)
đi/ɗi˧˧/ngang[verb]
to go / walk(去 / 走)
đến/ɗeːn˧˥/sac[verb]
to come / arrive(来 / 到达)
làm/laːm˨˩/huyen[verb]
to do / make / work(做 / 工作)
nói/nɔj˧˥/sac[verb]
to say / speak(说)
biết/ɓiət˧˥/sac[verb]
to know (a fact) / know how(知道 / 会)
hiểu/hiəw˧˩/hoi[verb]
to understand(理解 / 懂)
thấy/tʰəj˧˥/sac[verb]
to see / feel(看见 / 觉得)
nghe/ŋɛ˧˧/ngang[verb]
to listen / hear(听)
ăn/ʔan˧˧/ngang[verb]
to eat(吃)
uống/ʔuəŋ˧˥/sac[verb]
to drink(喝)
ngủ/ŋu˧˩/hoi[verb]
to sleep(睡觉)
học/hɔk˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to study / learn(学习)
thích/tʰik˧˥/sac[verb]
to like(喜欢)
yêu/iəw˧˧/ngang[verb]
to love(爱)
muốn/muən˧˥/sac[verb]
to want(想 / 要)
cần/kən˨˩/huyen[verb]
to need(需要)
mua/muə˧˧/ngang[verb]
to buy(买)
viết/viət˧˥/sac[verb]
to write(写)
to/tɔ˧˧/ngang[adjective]
big (also "lớn")(大 (也作"lớn"))
nhỏ/ɲɔ˧˩/hoi[adjective]
small(小)
tốt/toːt˧˥/sac[adjective]
good(好)
xấu/səw˧˥/sac[adjective]
bad / ugly(坏 / 丑)
mới/məːj˧˥/sac[adjective]
new(新)
cũ/kuː˧˩/hoi[adjective]
old (things)(旧 / 老 (东西))
đẹp/ɗɛp˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
beautiful / pretty(美 / 漂亮)
nóng/nɔŋ˧˥/sac[adjective]
hot(热)
lạnh/laɲ˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
cold(冷)
ngon/ŋɔn˧˧/ngang[adjective]
delicious / tasty(好吃 / 美味)
ở/ʔəː˧˩/hoi[preposition]
at / in (location)(在 (位置))
trong/ʨɔŋ˧˧/ngang[preposition]
in / inside(在...里)
trên/ʨeːn˧˧/ngang[preposition]
on / above(在...上)
dưới/zɨəj˧˥/sac[preposition]
under / below(在...下)
với/vəːj˧˥/sac[preposition]
with(和 / 跟)
cho/ʨɔ˧˧/ngang[preposition]
for / to (give to)(给 / 为)
của/kuə˧˩/hoi[preposition]
of / belonging to(的 (所属))
từ/tɨ˨˩/huyen[preposition]
from(从)
sau/şaːw˧˧/ngang[preposition]
after(在...之后)
về/veː˨˩/huyen[preposition]
back to / about(回 / 关于)
mười một/mɨəj˨˩ moːt˧ˀ˨/huyen[number]
eleven(十一)
mười hai/mɨəj˨˩ haːj˧˧/huyen[number]
twelve(十二)
mười lăm/mɨəj˨˩ laːm˧˧/huyen[number]
fifteen (năm sandhi → lăm)(十五 (注:"năm" 5 → "lăm" 当个位))
hai mươi/haːj˧˧ mɨəj˧˧/ngang[number]
twenty (mười → mươi)(二十 ("mười" 当十位变 "mươi"))
hai mươi mốt/haːj˧˧ mɨəj˧˧ moːt˧˥/sac[number]
twenty-one (một → mốt)(二十一 ("một" 1 → "mốt" 当个位))
ba mươi/ɓaː˧˧ mɨəj˧˧/ngang[number]
thirty(三十)
bốn mươi/ɓoːn˧˥ mɨəj˧˧/ngang[number]
forty(四十)
năm mươi/naːm˧˧ mɨəj˧˧/ngang[number]
fifty(五十)
sáu mươi/şaːw˧˥ mɨəj˧˧/ngang[number]
sixty(六十)
bảy mươi/ɓaːj˧˩ mɨəj˧˧/ngang[number]
seventy(七十)
tám mươi/taːm˧˥ mɨəj˧˧/ngang[number]
eighty(八十)
chín mươi/ʨin˧˥ mɨəj˧˧/ngang[number]
ninety(九十)
một trăm/moːt˧ˀ˨ ʨam˧˧/ngang[number]
one hundred(一百)
một nghìn/moːt˧ˀ˨ ŋin˨˩/huyen[number]
one thousand (Northern; "ngàn" South)(一千 ("nghìn" 北方;"ngàn" 南方))
triệu/ʨiəw˧ˀ˨/nang[number]
million(百万)
không_2/xəwŋ͡m˧˧/ngang[number]
zero(零)
thứ hai/tʰɨ˧˥ haːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
Monday (lit. "second day")(星期一 (字面"第二天"))
thứ ba/tʰɨ˧˥ ɓaː˧˧/ngang[noun]
Tuesday(星期二)
thứ tư/tʰɨ˧˥ tɨ˧˧/ngang[noun]
Wednesday (uses "tư" not "bốn")(星期三 ("tư" 不用 "bốn"))
thứ năm/tʰɨ˧˥ naːm˧˧/ngang[noun]
Thursday(星期四)
thứ sáu/tʰɨ˧˥ şaːw˧˥/sac[noun]
Friday(星期五)
thứ bảy/tʰɨ˧˥ ɓaːj˧˩/hoi[noun]
Saturday(星期六)
chủ nhật/ʨu˧˩ ɲət˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
Sunday(星期日)
tháng/tʰaːŋ˧˥/sac[noun]
month(月份)
tháng một/tʰaːŋ˧˥ moːt˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
January(一月)
tháng bảy/tʰaːŋ˧˥ ɓaːj˧˩/hoi[noun]
July(七月)
mùa/muə˨˩/huyen[noun]
season(季节)
mùa xuân/muə˨˩ swən˧˧/ngang[noun]
spring(春天)
mùa hè/muə˨˩ hɛ˨˩/huyen[noun]
summer (Northern; "hạ" South)(夏天 (北方 "hè";南方 "hạ"))
mùa thu/muə˨˩ tʰu˧˧/ngang[noun]
autumn(秋天)
mùa đông/muə˨˩ ɗoːŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
winter(冬天)
mùa mưa/muə˨˩ mɨə˧˧/ngang[noun]
rainy season(雨季)
mùa khô/muə˨˩ xoː˧˧/ngang[noun]
dry season(旱季)
phút/fuk˧˥/sac[noun]
minute(分钟)
giây/ʒəj˧˧/ngang[noun]
second(秒)
lúc nào/luk˧ˀ˨ naːw˨˩/huyen[adverb]
when (in questions)(什么时候)
ông/ʔoːŋm˧˧/ngang[noun]
grandfather / "sir"(爷爷 / 外公 / "您"对老年男性)
bà/ɓaː˨˩/huyen[noun]
grandmother / "ma'am"(奶奶 / 外婆 / "夫人")
bố mẹ/ɓoː˧˥ mɛ˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
parents(父母)
anh trai/ʔaɲ˧˧ ʨaːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
older brother (explicit)(哥哥 (明确男性))
chị gái/ʨi˧ˀ˨ ɣaːj˧˥/sac[noun]
older sister (explicit)(姐姐 (明确女性))
em trai/ʔɛm˧˧ ʨaːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
younger brother(弟弟)
em gái/ʔɛm˧˧ ɣaːj˧˥/sac[noun]
younger sister(妹妹)
cô/koː˧˧/ngang[noun]
aunt / female teacher(姑姑 / 阿姨 (中年女) / 女老师)
chú/ʨu˧˥/sac[noun]
uncle / mister(叔叔 (中年男))
vợ/və˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
wife(妻子)
bún/ɓun˧˥/sac[noun]
rice vermicelli (bún)(米线 (河粉之外越南最常见的粉))
bún chả/ɓun˧˥ ʨaː˧˩/hoi[noun]
bun cha (Hanoi grilled pork & noodles)(河内烤肉米粉 (奥巴马访越名菜))
chả giò/ʨaː˧˩ ʒɔ˨˩/huyen[noun]
fried spring roll (Southern)(炸春卷 (南方) / 北方叫 "nem rán")
gỏi cuốn/ɣɔj˧˩ kwoːn˧˥/sac[noun]
fresh spring roll(生春卷 (透明米皮))
xôi/soːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
sticky rice (Vietnamese breakfast)(糯米饭 (越南早餐))
chè/ʨɛ˨˩/huyen[noun]
che (sweet dessert soup)(甜汤 (越南传统甜品))
mì/mi˨˩/huyen[noun]
noodles(面条)
mì xào/mi˨˩ saːw˨˩/huyen[noun]
fried noodles(炒面)
cơm tấm/kəːm˧˧ təm˧˥/sac[noun]
broken rice (Saigon dish)(碎米饭 (西贡名菜))
bánh/ɓaɲ˧˥/sac[noun]
cake / pastry(糕 / 饼 (通用))
bánh xèo/ɓaɲ˧˥ sɛw˨˩/huyen[noun]
banh xeo (sizzling pancake)(越式煎饼)
bánh bao/ɓaɲ˧˥ ɓaːw˧˧/ngang[noun]
banh bao (steamed bun, Chinese-origin)(包子 (从华语传入))
chả lụa/ʨaː˧˩ luə˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
Vietnamese pork sausage(越南火腿肠)
nước mắm/nɨək˧˥ mam˧˥/sac[noun]
fish sauce (national condiment)(鱼露 (越南国民调料))
muối/muəj˧˥/sac[noun]
salt(盐)
đường/ɗɨəŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
sugar (also "road")(糖 (也作"路"))
tiêu/tiəw˧˧/ngang[noun]
pepper (also "spend")(胡椒 (也作"花费"))
ớt/ʔəːt˧˥/sac[noun]
chili(辣椒)
chanh/ʨaɲ˧˧/ngang[noun]
lime / lemon(柠檬 / 青柠)
rau thơm/zaːw˧˧ tʰəːm˧˧/ngang[noun]
fresh herbs(香菜 (各种香草总称))
giá/ʒaː˧˥/sac[noun]
bean sprouts (also "price")(豆芽 (也作"价格"))
trứng/ʨɨŋ˧˥/sac[noun]
egg(鸡蛋)
sữa/şɨə˧˩/hoi[noun]
milk(牛奶)
phô mai/foː˧˧ maːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
cheese (loanword)(奶酪 (英 cheese / 法 fromage))
bơ/ɓəː˧˧/ngang[noun]
butter / avocado(黄油 / 牛油果)
kem/kɛm˧˧/ngang[noun]
ice cream (from Fr. crème)(冰激凌 (从法语 crème))
bánh mì pate/ɓaɲ˧˥ mi˨˩ paː˧˧teː˧˧/ngang[noun]
banh mi with pate(越式法棍三明治 (含猪肝酱))
cháo/ʨaːw˧˥/sac[noun]
congee / porridge(粥)
xám/saːm˧˥/sac[adjective]
gray(灰色)
cam/kaːm˧˧/ngang[adjective]
orange (color / fruit)(橙色 (也作"橙子"))
xanh lá/saɲ˧˧ laː˧˥/sac[adjective]
green (lit. "leaf-color", distinguishes from blue)(绿色 (字面"叶子色",和"蓝色"区分))
xanh dương/saɲ˧˧ jɨəŋ˧˧/ngang[adjective]
blue (lit. "ocean-color")(蓝色 (字面"洋色"))
vàng nghệ/vaːŋ˨˩ ŋeː˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
turmeric yellow(姜黄色)
voi/vɔj˧˧/ngang[noun]
elephant(大象)
hổ/hoː˧˩/hoi[noun]
tiger(老虎)
rồng/zoːŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
dragon(龙 (越南文化重要象征))
ngựa/ŋɨə˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
horse(马)
khỉ/xi˧˩/hoi[noun]
monkey(猴子)
rắn/zan˧˥/sac[noun]
snake(蛇)
giúp/ʒup˧˥/sac[verb]
to help(帮助)
chờ/ʨəː˨˩/huyen[verb]
to wait(等待)
gặp/ɣap˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to meet(见 / 遇到)
tìm/tim˧˧/ngang[verb]
to find / search(找)
mất/mət˧˥/sac[verb]
to lose(丢 / 失去)
trả/ʨaː˧˩/hoi[verb]
to return / pay(还 / 付)
lấy/ləj˧˥/sac[verb]
to take / get(拿 / 取)
đưa/ɗɨə˧˧/ngang[verb]
to hand over / pass(递 / 给)
chạy/ʨaːj˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to run(跑 (也作"运行"))
đứng/ɗɨŋ˧˥/sac[verb]
to stand(站)
ngồi/ŋoːj˨˩/huyen[verb]
to sit(坐)
mở/məː˧˩/hoi[verb]
to open(打开)
đóng/ɗɔŋ˧˥/sac[verb]
to close(关)
bật/ɓət˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to turn on(打开 (电器))
tắt/tat˧˥/sac[verb]
to turn off(关 (电器))
hỏi/hɔj˧˩/hoi[verb]
to ask(问)
cao/kaːw˧˧/ngang[adjective]
tall / high(高 (人 / 物))
thấp/tʰəp˧˥/sac[adjective]
low / short(低 / 矮)
dài/jaːj˨˩/huyen[adjective]
long(长)
ngắn/ŋan˧˥/sac[adjective]
short(短)
dày/jaːj˨˩/huyen[adjective]
thick(厚)
mỏng/mɔŋ˧˩/hoi[adjective]
thin (object)(薄)
nặng/naŋ˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
heavy(重)
nhẹ/ɲɛ˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
light (weight)(轻)
nhanh/ɲaɲ˧˧/ngang[adjective]
fast(快)
chậm/ʨəm˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
slow(慢)
giàu/ʒaːw˨˩/huyen[adjective]
rich(富有)
nghèo/ŋɛw˨˩/huyen[adjective]
poor(贫穷)
giữa/ʒɨə˧ˀ˨/nang[preposition]
between / in the middle(在...中间)
cạnh/kaɲ˧ˀ˨/nang[preposition]
next to(在...旁边)
đến_2/ɗeːn˧˥/sac[preposition]
until / to(到 (时间或地点终点))
đối diện/ɗoːj˧˥ jiən˧ˀ˨/nang[preposition]
opposite / facing(对面)
như/ɲɨ˧˧/ngang[preposition]
like / as(像 / 如)
bằng/ɓaŋ˨˩/huyen[preposition]
by means of / equal to(用 / 等于)
đầu/ɗəw˨˩/huyen[noun]
head / beginning(头 (也作"开始"))
mặt/mat˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
face / side(脸 / 面 / 边)
mắt/mat˧˥/sac[noun]
eye(眼睛)
mũi/muːj˧˩/hoi[noun]
nose(鼻子)
miệng/miəŋ˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
mouth(嘴)
tai/taːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
ear(耳朵)
răng/zaŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
tooth(牙)
lưỡi/lɨəj˧˩/hoi[noun]
tongue(舌头)
tóc/tɔk˧˥/sac[noun]
hair(头发)
cổ/koː˧˩/hoi[noun]
neck(脖子 / 颈)
vai/vaːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
shoulder(肩膀)
tay/taːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
hand / arm(手 / 胳膊)
ngón tay/ŋɔn˧˥ taːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
finger(手指)
chân/ʨən˧˧/ngang[noun]
foot / leg(脚 / 腿)
đầu gối/ɗəw˨˩ ɣoːj˧˥/sac[noun]
knee(膝盖)
bàn chân/ɓaːn˨˩ ʨən˧˧/ngang[noun]
foot (sole)(脚 (脚掌))
bụng/ɓuŋm˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
belly / stomach(肚子 / 腹)
lưng/lɨŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
back(背)
tim/tim˧˧/ngang[noun]
heart(心脏)
máu/maːw˧˥/sac[noun]
blood(血)
da/jaː˧˧/ngang[noun]
skin(皮肤)
xương/sɨəŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
bone(骨头)
sức khoẻ/şɨk˧˥ xwɛ˧˩/hoi[noun]
health(健康)
bệnh/ɓeɲ˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
illness(病 (也作"医院"前缀))
thời tiết/tʰəːj˨˩ tiət˧˥/sac[noun]
weather(天气)
nắng/naŋ˧˥/sac[noun]
sunny / sunshine(晴 / 太阳)
mặt trời/mat˧ˀ˨ ʨəːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
sun(太阳 (字面"天的脸"))
mặt trăng/mat˧ˀ˨ ʨaŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
moon(月亮)
sao/şaːw˧˧/ngang[noun]
star (also "why")(星 (也作疑问词"为什么"))
bầu trời/ɓəw˨˩ ʨəːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
sky(天空)
mây/məj˧˧/ngang[noun]
cloud(云)
mưa/mɨə˧˧/ngang[noun]
rain(雨)
gió/ʒɔ˧˥/sac[noun]
wind(风)
bão/ɓaːw˧ˀ˥/nga[noun]
typhoon / storm(台风 / 风暴 (越南夏秋常见))
sấm/şəm˧˥/sac[noun]
thunder(雷)
chớp/ʨəːp˧˥/sac[noun]
lightning(闪电)
sương mù/şɨəŋ˧˧ mu˨˩/huyen[noun]
fog(雾)
tuyết/twiət˧˥/sac[noun]
snow (rare, northern mountains)(雪 (越南罕见,北部山区))
xe/sɛ˧˧/ngang[noun]
vehicle (general)(车 (通用))
xe ô tô/sɛ˧˧ ʔoː˧˧ toː˧˧/ngang[noun]
car (auto)(汽车)
xe máy/sɛ˧˧ maːj˧˥/sac[noun]
motorbike (national transport)(摩托车 (越南国民交通工具))
xe đạp/sɛ˧˧ ɗap˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
bicycle(自行车)
xe buýt/sɛ˧˧ ɓwit˧˥/sac[noun]
bus(公共汽车)
xe khách/sɛ˧˧ xaːk˧˥/sac[noun]
coach / intercity bus(长途客车)
xe lửa/sɛ˧˧ lɨə˧˩/hoi[noun]
train (Northern; "tàu hỏa" South)(火车 (北方词;南方 "tàu hỏa"))
tàu/taːw˨˩/huyen[noun]
boat / train(船 / 火车 (通用))
máy bay/maːj˧˥ ɓaːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
airplane(飞机)
thuyền/twiən˨˩/huyen[noun]
small boat(小船)
con đường/kɔn˧˧ ɗɨəŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
road / street(路 / 街)
cầu/kəw˨˩/huyen[noun]
bridge(桥)
ga/ɣaː˧˧/ngang[noun]
station (from Fr. gare)(车站 (从法语 gare))
sân bay/şən˧˧ ɓaːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
airport (lit. flying field)(机场 (字面"飞场"))
bến/ɓeːn˧˥/sac[noun]
wharf / terminal(码头 / 站)
vé/vɛ˧˥/sac[noun]
ticket(票)
quần áo/kwən˨˩ ʔaːw˧˥/sac[noun]
clothes(衣服 (复))
áo/ʔaːw˧˥/sac[noun]
shirt / top(上衣)
quần/kwən˨˩/huyen[noun]
pants(裤子)
áo dài/ʔaːw˧˥ jaːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
ao dai (Vietnamese national dress)(奥黛 (越南国服))
áo sơ mi/ʔaːw˧˥ şəː˧˧ mi˧˧/ngang[noun]
shirt (Fr. chemise)(衬衫 (从法语 chemise))
áo khoác/ʔaːw˧˥ xwaːk˧˥/sac[noun]
jacket / coat(外套)
váy/vaːj˧˥/sac[noun]
skirt(裙子)
giày/ʒaːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
shoes(鞋)
dép/jɛp˧˥/sac[noun]
sandals / slippers(拖鞋 / 凉鞋)
nón lá/nɔn˧˥ laː˧˥/sac[noun]
conical leaf hat (Vietnamese icon)(斗笠 (越南标志))
mũ/mu˧˩/hoi[noun]
cap / hat(帽子)
khăn/xan˧˧/ngang[noun]
towel / scarf(毛巾 / 围巾)
kính/kiɲ˧˥/sac[noun]
glasses / glass(眼镜 / 玻璃)
đồng hồ/ɗoːŋ˨˩ hoː˨˩/huyen[noun]
clock / watch(钟 / 表)
nhà/ɲaː˨˩/huyen[noun]
house / home(家 / 房子)
phòng/fɔŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
room(房间)
cửa/kɨə˧˩/hoi[noun]
door(门)
cửa sổ/kɨə˧˩ şoː˧˩/hoi[noun]
window(窗户)
bếp/ɓeːp˧˥/sac[noun]
kitchen(厨房)
nhà vệ sinh/ɲaː˨˩ veː˧ˀ˨ şiɲ˧˧/ngang[noun]
toilet(卫生间)
phòng khách/fɔŋ˨˩ xaːk˧˥/sac[noun]
living room(客厅)
phòng tắm/fɔŋ˨˩ tam˧˥/sac[noun]
bathroom(浴室)
giường/ʒɨəŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
bed(床)
bàn/ɓaːn˨˩/huyen[noun]
table(桌子 (也作"洽谈"))
ghế/ɣeː˧˥/sac[noun]
chair(椅子)
tủ/tu˧˩/hoi[noun]
cabinet / wardrobe(柜子)
tủ lạnh/tu˧˩ laɲ˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
fridge(冰箱 (字面"冷柜"))
quạt/kwaːt˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
fan(风扇)
máy điều hoà/maːj˧˥ ɗiəw˨˩ hwaː˨˩/huyen[noun]
air conditioner(空调)
đèn/ɗɛn˨˩/huyen[noun]
lamp / light(灯)
chìa khoá/ciə˨˩ xwaː˧˥/sac[noun]
key(钥匙)
gương/ɣɨəŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
mirror(镜子)
tường/tɨəŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
wall(墙)
mái nhà/maːj˧˥ ɲaː˨˩/huyen[noun]
roof(屋顶)
hạnh phúc/haːɲ˧ˀ˨ fuk˧˥/sac[noun]
happiness(幸福)
buồn/ɓuən˨˩/huyen[adjective]
sad(悲伤)
vui_2/vuj˧˧/ngang[adjective]
glad / happy (adj)(高兴 (作 adj 主要用法))
tức/tɨk˧˥/sac[adjective]
angry (colloquial)(生气 (口语))
giận/ʒən˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
angry (formal)(生气 (正式))
sợ/şəː˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
afraid(害怕)
lo/lɔ˧˧/ngang[verb]
to worry(担心)
nhớ/ɲəː˧˥/sac[verb]
to miss / remember(想念 / 记得)
mệt/meːt˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
tired(累)
khoẻ_2/xwɛ˧˩/hoi[adjective]
healthy / well(健康 / 好)
thương/tʰɨəŋ˧˧/ngang[verb]
to love / care for(疼爱 / 爱怜)
ghét/ɣɛt˧˥/sac[verb]
to hate / dislike(讨厌)
thích_2/tʰik˧˥/sac[verb]
to like(喜欢 (adj/动词))
hi vọng/hi˧˧ vɔŋ˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to hope(希望)
xấu hổ/səw˧˥ hoː˧˩/hoi[adjective]
shy / embarrassed(害羞 / 害臊)
tự hào/tɨ˧ˀ˨ haːw˨˩/huyen[adjective]
proud(自豪)
thành phố/tʰaːɲ˨˩ foː˧˥/sac[noun]
city(城市)
làng/laːŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
village(村庄)
nước_2/nɨək˧˥/sac[noun]
country (also "water")(国家 (也作"水"))
trường/ʨɨəŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
school(学校)
đại học/ɗaːj˧ˀ˨ hɔk˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
university(大学)
thư viện/tʰɨ˧˧ viən˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
library(图书馆)
nhà hàng/ɲaː˨˩ haːŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
restaurant(餐厅)
quán cà phê/kwaːn˧˥ kaː˨˩ feː˧˧/ngang[noun]
café (Vietnamese cultural icon)(咖啡馆 (越南文化标志))
chợ/ʨəː˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
market(市场)
siêu thị/siəw˧˧ tʰi˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
supermarket(超市)
cửa hàng/kɨə˧˩ haːŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
shop(商店)
chùa/ʨuə˨˩/huyen[noun]
pagoda / Buddhist temple(寺庙 (越南佛教))
nhà thờ/ɲaː˨˩ tʰəː˨˩/huyen[noun]
church(教堂)
bệnh viện/ɓeɲ˧ˀ˨ viən˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
hospital(医院)
ngân hàng/ŋən˧˧ haːŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
bank(银行)
bưu điện/ɓɨw˧˧ ɗiən˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
post office(邮局)
khách sạn/xaːk˧˥ şan˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
hotel(酒店)
biển/ɓiən˧˩/hoi[noun]
sea(海)
thầy/tʰəj˨˩/huyen[noun]
male teacher(老师 (男))
cô_2/koː˧˧/ngang[noun]
female teacher / auntie(老师 (女) / 阿姨)
học sinh/hɔk˧ˀ˨ şiɲ˧˧/ngang[noun]
pupil / school student(学生 (中小学))
sinh viên/şiɲ˧˧ viən˧˧/ngang[noun]
university student(大学生)
lớp học/ləːp˧˥ hɔk˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
classroom / class(课堂 / 班级)
sách/şaːk˧˥/sac[noun]
book(书)
vở/və˧˩/hoi[noun]
notebook(笔记本 (本子))
bút/ɓut˧˥/sac[noun]
pen(笔)
giấy/ʒəj˧˥/sac[noun]
paper(纸)
câu hỏi/kəw˧˧ hɔj˧˩/hoi[noun]
question(问题)
câu trả lời/kəw˧˧ ʨaː˧˩ ləːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
answer(答案)
bài tập/ɓaːj˨˩ təp˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
homework / exercise(作业 / 练习)
văn phòng/van˧˧ fɔŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
office(办公室)
công ty/koŋm˧˧ ti˧˧/ngang[noun]
company(公司)
thức dậy/tʰɨk˧˥ jəj˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to wake up(醒来)
tắm/tam˧˥/sac[verb]
to bathe / shower(洗澡)
đánh răng/ɗaːɲ˧˥ zaŋ˧˧/ngang[verb]
to brush teeth (lit. "hit teeth")(刷牙 (字面"打牙"))
ăn sáng/ʔan˧˧ şaːŋ˧˥/sac[verb]
to eat breakfast(吃早饭)
ăn trưa/ʔan˧˧ ʨɨə˧˧/ngang[verb]
to eat lunch(吃午饭)
ăn tối/ʔan˧˧ toːj˧˥/sac[verb]
to eat dinner(吃晚饭)
đi làm/ɗi˧˧ laːm˨˩/huyen[verb]
to go to work(上班)
về nhà/veː˨˩ ɲaː˨˩/huyen[verb]
to come home(回家)
nấu ăn/nəw˧˥ ʔan˧˧/ngang[verb]
to cook(做饭)
xem phim/sɛm˧˧ fim˧˧/ngang[verb]
to watch a movie(看电影)
đọc sách/ɗɔk˧ˀ˨ şaːk˧˥/sac[verb]
to read a book(看书)
rửa/zɨə˧˩/hoi[verb]
to wash(洗)
giặt/ʒat˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to do laundry(洗衣服)
quét/kwɛt˧˥/sac[verb]
to sweep(扫)
lau/laːw˧˧/ngang[verb]
to wipe(擦)
đi chợ/ɗi˧˧ ʨəː˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to go grocery shopping(上街买菜)
chúc mừng/ʨuk˧˥ mɨŋ˨˩/huyen[interjection]
congratulations(祝贺)
chúc ngủ ngon/ʨuk˧˥ ŋu˧˩ ŋɔn˧˧/ngang[interjection]
good night(晚安)
chào buổi sáng/ʨaːw˨˩ ɓuəj˧˩ şaːŋ˧˥/sac[interjection]
good morning(早上好)
chào buổi tối/ʨaːw˨˩ ɓuəj˧˩ toːj˧˥/sac[interjection]
good evening(晚上好)
làm ơn/laːm˨˩ ʔəːn˧˧/ngang[interjection]
please(请 / 麻烦)
không có gì/xəwŋ͡m˧˧ kɔ˧˥ ʒi˨˩/huyen[interjection]
you're welcome (lit. nothing at all)(不客气 (字面"没什么"))
hẹn gặp lại/hɛn˧ˀ˨ ɣap˧ˀ˨ laːj˧ˀ˨/nang[interjection]
see you again(回头见)
chúc may mắn/ʨuk˧˥ maːj˧˧ man˧˥/sac[interjection]
good luck(祝你好运)
tôi/toːj˧˧/ngang[pronoun]
I (neutral / formal)(我 (中性 / 正式))
mình/miɲ˨˩/huyen[pronoun]
I / self (intimate)(我 / 自己 (亲昵))
chúng tôi/ʨuŋm˧˥ toːj˧˧/ngang[pronoun]
we (exclusive)(我们 (不含听话人))
chúng ta/ʨuŋm˧˥ taː˧˧/ngang[pronoun]
we (inclusive)(咱们 (含听话人))
các bạn/kaːk˧˥ ɓaːn˧ˀ˨/nang[pronoun]
you (plural, peers)(你们 (对朋友))
họ/hɔ˧ˀ˨/nang[pronoun]
they(他们)
cái gì/kaːj˧˥ ʒi˨˩/huyen[pronoun]
what(什么)
ai/ʔaːj˧˧/ngang[pronoun]
who(谁)
ở đâu/ʔəː˧˩ ɗəw˧˧/ngang[pronoun]
where(在哪里)
tại sao/taːj˧ˀ˨ şaːw˧˧/ngang[pronoun]
why(为什么)
đắt/ɗat˧˥/sac[adjective]
expensive (Northern)(贵 (北方词))
rẻ/zɛ˧˩/hoi[adjective]
cheap(便宜)
sạch/şaːk˧˥/sac[adjective]
clean(干净)
bẩn/ɓən˧˩/hoi[adjective]
dirty (Northern)(脏 (北方);南方 "dơ")
xa/saː˧˧/ngang[adjective]
far(远)
gần/ɣən˨˩/huyen[adjective]
near(近)
đúng/ɗuŋ˧˥/sac[adjective]
right / correct(对 / 正确)
sai/şaːj˧˧/ngang[adjective]
wrong(错)
quan trọng/kwaːn˧˧ ʨɔŋ˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
important(重要)
dễ/jeː˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
easy(容易)
hỏi đường/hɔj˧˩ ɗɨəŋ˨˩/huyen[verb]
to ask for directions(问路)
trả lời/ʨaː˧˩ ləːj˨˩/huyen[verb]
to answer(回答)
gọi điện/ɣɔj˧˩ ɗiən˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to make a phone call(打电话)
nhắn tin/ɲan˧˥ tin˧˧/ngang[verb]
to text(发短信)
mượn/mɨən˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to borrow(借入)
cho mượn/ʨɔ˧˧ mɨən˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to lend(借出)
dậy/jəj˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to get up(起 (床))
ngủ dậy/ŋu˧˩ jəj˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to wake from sleep(睡醒)
quên/kweːn˧˧/ngang[verb]
to forget(忘记)
hiểu_2/hiəw˧˩/hoi[verb]
to understand(懂 (动词))
tin/tin˧˧/ngang[verb]
to believe(相信)
nghĩ/ŋi˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to think(想 (思考))
sân/şən˧˧/ngang[noun]
yard / courtyard(院子 / 场地)
vườn/vɨən˨˩/huyen[noun]
garden(花园)
cầu thang/kəw˨˩ tʰaːŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
stairs(楼梯)
ban công/ɓaːn˧˧ koŋm˧˧/ngang[noun]
balcony(阳台)
thảm/tʰaːm˧˩/hoi[noun]
carpet(地毯)
cốc/koːk˧˥/sac[noun]
cup (Northern; "ly" South)(杯子 (北方);南方 "ly")
khuỷu tay/xwiu˧˩ taːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
elbow(肘部)
cổ tay/koː˧˩ taːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
wrist(手腕)
cằm/kam˨˩/huyen[noun]
chin(下巴)
mày/maːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
eyebrow (colloquial)(眉毛 (口语,粗鄙也指"你"))
phổi/foːj˧˩/hoi[noun]
lungs(肺)
thận/tʰən˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
kidney(肾)
sông/şoŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
river(河流)
núi/nuːj˧˥/sac[noun]
mountain(山)
rừng/zɨŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
forest(森林)
hồ/hoː˨˩/huyen[noun]
lake(湖)
tập thể dục/təp˧ˀ˨ tʰeː˧˩ juk˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to exercise(锻炼)
cầu nguyện/kəw˨˩ ŋwiən˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to pray(祈祷)
nghỉ ngơi/ŋi˧˩ ŋəːj˧˧/ngang[verb]
to rest(休息)
uống thuốc/ʔuəŋ˧˥ tʰuək˧˥/sac[verb]
to take medicine (lit. drink medicine)(吃药 (字面"喝药"))
xúc động/suk˧˥ ɗoŋm˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
moved / touched(感动)
bất ngờ/ɓət˧˥ ŋəː˨˩/huyen[adjective]
surprised / unexpected(意外 / 惊讶)
thoải mái/tʰwaːj˧˩ maːj˧˥/sac[adjective]
comfortable / relaxed(放松 / 舒服)
căng thẳng/kaŋ˧˧ tʰaŋ˧˥/sac[adjective]
stressed / tense(紧张 / 压力)
mười ba/mɨəj˨˩ ɓaː˧˧/huyen[number]
thirteen(十三)
mười bốn/mɨəj˨˩ ɓoːn˧˥/huyen[number]
fourteen(十四)
hai mươi hai/haːj˧˧ mɨəj˧˧ haːj˧˧/ngang[number]
twenty-two(二十二)
tỷ/ti˧˩/hoi[number]
billion(十亿)
vợ chồng/və˧ˀ˨ ʨoŋm˨˩/huyen[noun]
couple / spouses(夫妻)
hàng xóm/haːŋ˨˩ sɔm˧˥/sac[noun]
neighbor(邻居)
người yêu/ŋɨəj˨˩ iəw˧˧/ngang[noun]
lover / boyfriend / girlfriend(恋人)
cháu/ʨaːw˧˥/sac[noun]
grandchild / niece / nephew(孙子 / 侄子 (晚辈通称))
canh/kaɲ˧˧/ngang[noun]
soup (home-style clear)(汤 (家常清汤))
lẩu/ləw˧˩/hoi[noun]
hot pot(火锅)
nướng/nɨəŋ˧˥/sac[verb]
grilled / to grill(烤 (动 / 名))
chiên/ʨiən˧˧/ngang[verb]
to fry (Southern)(炸 (南方词;北方 "rán"))
luộc/luək˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to boil(煮 (水煮))
hấp/həp˧˥/sac[verb]
to steam(蒸)
xào/saːw˨˩/huyen[verb]
to stir-fry(炒)
kho/xɔ˧˧/ngang[verb]
to braise (Vietnamese style)(红烧 (越南特色烹饪))
béo/ɓɛw˧˥/sac[adjective]
fat / fatty(胖 / 肥)
gầy/ɣəj˨˩/huyen[adjective]
thin (person)(瘦)
đầy/ɗəj˨˩/huyen[adjective]
full(满)
rỗng/zoŋm˧˥/sac[adjective]
empty(空 (容器))
mới_2/məːj˧˥/sac[adverb]
new / just(新的 (副词"刚刚"))
cũ_2/kuː˧˩/hoi[adjective]
old (vs new)(旧的 (与 mới 对应))
hết/heːt˧˥/sac[adjective]
finished / used up(完 / 用尽)
còn/kɔn˨˩/huyen[adverb]
remaining / still(还剩 / 仍然)
cho phép/ʨɔ˧˧ feːp˧˥/sac[verb]
to allow(允许)
cấm/kəm˧˥/sac[verb]
to forbid(禁止)
phải/faːj˧˩/hoi[verb]
must / should(必须 / 应该)
có thể/kɔ˧˥ tʰeː˧˩/hoi[verb]
can / be able to(能 / 可以)
không thể/xəwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰeː˧˩/hoi[verb]
cannot(不能)
được/ɗɨək˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
can / get (multifunctional)(可以 / 得到 (多功能助词))
xe taxi/sɛ˧˧ taː˧˧si˧˧/ngang[noun]
taxi(出租车)
phà/faː˨˩/huyen[noun]
ferry(渡轮 / 渡船)
xăng/saŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
gasoline (Fr. essence)(汽油 (从法语 essence))
bằng lái/ɓaŋ˨˩ laːj˧˥/sac[noun]
driver's license(驾照)
nồi/noːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
pot(锅 (煮饭用))
chảo/ʨaːw˧˩/hoi[noun]
frying pan(平底锅)
đũa/ɗuə˧˩/hoi[noun]
chopsticks(筷子)
muỗng/muəŋ˧˥/sac[noun]
spoon (Southern; "thìa" North)(勺子 (南方);北方 "thìa")
dao/jaːw˧˧/ngang[noun]
knife(刀)
bát/ɓaːt˧˥/sac[noun]
bowl (Northern; "chén" South)(碗 (北方);南方 "chén")
máy tính/maːj˧˥ tiɲ˧˥/sac[noun]
computer(电脑 (字面"计算机"))
điện thoại/ɗiən˧ˀ˨ tʰwaːj˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
phone(电话 / 手机)
bài thi/ɓaːj˨˩ tʰi˧˧/ngang[noun]
exam paper(考试卷)
lương/lɨəŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
salary(工资 (字面"粮"))
lạnh_2/laɲ˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
cold (weather)(寒冷 (作天气形容))
nóng_2/nɔŋ˧˥/sac[adjective]
hot (weather)(炎热)
ấm/ʔəm˧˥/sac[adjective]
warm(暖和)
đồ lót/ɗoː˨˩ lɔt˧˥/sac[noun]
underwear(内衣)
vớ/və˧˥/sac[noun]
sock (Southern; "tất" North)(袜子 (南方);北方 "tất")
cà vạt/kaː˨˩ vaːt˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
necktie (Fr. cravate)(领带 (从法语 cravate))
chải tóc/ʨaːj˧˩ tɔk˧˥/sac[verb]
to comb hair(梳头)
cạo râu/kaːw˧ˀ˨ zəw˧˧/ngang[verb]
to shave(刮胡子)
dọn dẹp/jɔn˧ˀ˨ jɛp˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to tidy / clean up(收拾 / 整理)
mua sắm/muə˧˧ şam˧˥/sac[verb]
to shop(购物)
cha/ʨaː˧˧/ngang[noun]
father (Southern)(父亲 (南方词))
má/maː˧˥/sac[noun]
mom (Southern)(妈妈 (南方词))
hè/hɛ˨˩/huyen[noun]
summer(夏 (单字))
năm mới/naːm˧˧ məːj˧˥/sac[noun]
new year(新年)
Tết/teːt˧˥/sac[noun]
Tet (Lunar New Year)(春节 (越南最重要节日))
màu/maːw˨˩/huyen[noun]
color(颜色 (字面"色"))
bộ phim/ɓoː˧ˀ˨ fim˧˧/ngang[noun]
movie(电影)
nhạc/ɲaːk˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
music(音乐)
bài hát/ɓaːj˨˩ haːt˧˥/sac[noun]
song(歌曲)
việc/viək˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
matter / work (general)(事情 / 工作 (通用))
thời gian/tʰəːj˨˩ ʒaːn˧˧/ngang[noun]
time (formal)(时间 (正式))
trái cây/ʨaːj˧˥ kəj˧˧/ngang[noun]
fruit (Southern; "hoa quả" North)(水果 (南方词;北方 "hoa quả"))
táo/taːw˧˥/sac[noun]
apple(苹果)
chuối/ʨuəj˧˥/sac[noun]
banana(香蕉)
xoài/swaːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
mango(芒果)
dứa/zɨə˧˥/sac[noun]
pineapple (Northern)(菠萝 (北方;南方 "thơm/khóm"))
dưa hấu/zɨə˧˧ həw˧˥/sac[noun]
watermelon(西瓜)
nho/ɲɔ˧˧/ngang[noun]
grape (famous from Ninh Thuan)(葡萄 (越南 Ninh Thuận 名产))
đu đủ/ɗu˧˧ ɗu˧˩/hoi[noun]
papaya(木瓜)
thanh long/tʰaːɲ˧˧ lɔŋm˧˧/ngang[noun]
dragon fruit (key export)(火龙果 (越南出口名果))
chôm chôm/ʨoːm˧˧ ʨoːm˧˧/ngang[noun]
rambutan(红毛丹)
sầu riêng/şəw˨˩ ziəŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
durian(榴莲 (气味浓郁))
mít/mit˧˥/sac[noun]
jackfruit(菠萝蜜)
ổi/ʔoːj˧˩/hoi[noun]
guava(番石榴 / 芭乐)
cam_2/kaːm˧˧/ngang[noun]
orange (fruit)(橙子 (水果))
chanh dây/ʨaɲ˧˧ zəj˧˧/ngang[noun]
passion fruit(百香果)
dừa/zɨə˨˩/huyen[noun]
coconut (from Ben Tre)(椰子 (Bến Tre 椰乡))
khoai tây/xwaːj˧˧ təj˧˧/ngang[noun]
potato(土豆 (字面"西薯"))
khoai lang/xwaːj˧˧ laːŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
sweet potato(红薯)
cà rốt/kaː˨˩ zoːt˧˥/sac[noun]
carrot (Fr. carotte)(胡萝卜 (从法语 carotte))
hành/haːɲ˨˩/huyen[noun]
onion / scallion(葱 / 洋葱)
tỏi/tɔj˧˩/hoi[noun]
garlic(大蒜)
gừng/ɣɨŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
ginger(生姜)
cà chua/kaː˨˩ ʨuə˧˧/ngang[noun]
tomato(番茄 / 西红柿)
dưa chuột/zɨə˧˧ ʨuət˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
cucumber (Northern)(黄瓜 (北方;南方 "dưa leo"))
nấm/nəm˧˥/sac[noun]
mushroom(蘑菇)
rau muống/zaːw˧˧ muəŋ˧˥/sac[noun]
water spinach (everyday green)(空心菜 (越南国民青菜))
ngô/ŋoː˧˧/ngang[noun]
corn (Northern; "bắp" South)(玉米 (北方;南方 "bắp"))
đậu/ɗəw˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
bean / tofu(豆 / 豆腐 ("đậu phụ"))
bác sĩ/ɓaːk˧˥ şi˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
doctor(医生)
y tá/i˧˧ taː˧˥/sac[noun]
nurse(护士)
giáo viên/ʒaːw˧˥ viən˧˧/ngang[noun]
teacher (formal)(教师 (正式))
kỹ sư/ki˧ˀ˥ şɨ˧˧/nga[noun]
engineer(工程师)
nông dân/noːŋm˧˧ zən˧˧/ngang[noun]
farmer(农民)
công nhân/koŋm˧˧ ɲən˧˧/ngang[noun]
worker(工人)
cảnh sát/kaɲ˧˥ şaːt˧˥/sac[noun]
police officer(警察)
luật sư/lwət˧ˀ˨ şɨ˧˧/ngang[noun]
lawyer(律师)
ca sĩ/kaː˧˧ şi˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
singer(歌手)
diễn viên/ziən˧ˀ˥ viən˧˧/nga[noun]
actor(演员)
họa sĩ/hwaː˧ˀ˨ şi˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
painter / artist(画家)
đầu bếp/ɗəw˨˩ ɓeːp˧˥/sac[noun]
chef(厨师)
thợ/tʰəː˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
craftsman / skilled worker(匠人 / 师傅 (技工通称))
bộ đội/ɓoː˧ˀ˨ ɗoːj˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
soldier / the army(军人 / 部队)
phi công/fi˧˧ koŋm˧˧/ngang[noun]
pilot(飞行员)
tài xế/taːj˨˩ şeː˧˥/sac[noun]
driver(司机)
thư ký/tʰɨ˧˧ ki˧˥/sac[noun]
secretary(秘书)
giám đốc/ʒaːm˧˥ ɗoːk˧˥/sac[noun]
director / manager(经理 / 总监)
nhân viên/ɲən˧˧ viən˧˧/ngang[noun]
staff / employee(职员 / 员工)
phóng viên/fɔŋ˧˥ viən˧˧/ngang[noun]
reporter / journalist(记者)
đi bộ/ɗi˧˧ ɓoː˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to walk(步行)
bay/ɓaːj˧˧/ngang[verb]
to fly(飞)
bơi/ɓəːj˧˧/ngang[verb]
to swim(游泳)
nhảy/ɲaːj˧˩/hoi[verb]
to jump / dance(跳 / 跳舞)
hát/haːt˧˥/sac[verb]
to sing(唱歌)
cười/kɨəj˨˩/huyen[verb]
to laugh / smile(笑)
khóc/xɔk˧˥/sac[verb]
to cry(哭)
đẩy/ɗəj˧˩/hoi[verb]
to push(推)
kéo/kɛw˧˥/sac[verb]
to pull(拉)
ném/nɛm˧˥/sac[verb]
to throw(扔 / 投)
bắt/ɓat˧˥/sac[verb]
to catch(抓 / 捉)
cắt/kat˧˥/sac[verb]
to cut(剪 / 切)
vẽ/vɛ˧ˀ˥/nga[verb]
to draw(画)
gửi/ɣɨːj˧˩/hoi[verb]
to send(寄 / 发送)
nhận/ɲən˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to receive(收 / 接收)
đếm/ɗeːm˧˥/sac[verb]
to count(数 (数数))
đo/ɗɔ˧˧/ngang[verb]
to measure(量 / 测量)
sửa/şɨə˧˩/hoi[verb]
to fix / repair(修 / 改)
xây/səj˧˧/ngang[verb]
to build(建造)
trồng/ʨoŋm˨˩/huyen[verb]
to plant / grow(种植)
thở/tʰəː˧˩/hoi[verb]
to breathe(呼吸)
nhìn/ɲin˨˩/huyen[verb]
to look(看 / 望)
ngửi/ŋɨːj˧˩/hoi[verb]
to smell(闻 (气味))
chạm/ʨaːm˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to touch(触碰)
rộng/zoŋm˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
wide / spacious(宽 / 宽敞)
hẹp/hɛp˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
narrow(窄)
sâu/şəw˧˧/ngang[adjective]
deep(深)
nông/noːŋm˧˧/ngang[adjective]
shallow(浅)
tròn/ʨɔn˨˩/huyen[adjective]
round(圆)
vuông/vuəŋ˧˧/ngang[adjective]
square(方)
thẳng/tʰaŋ˧˥/sac[adjective]
straight(直)
cong/kɔŋ˧˧/ngang[adjective]
curved / bent(弯)
cứng/kɨŋ˧˥/sac[adjective]
hard / stiff(硬)
mềm/meːm˨˩/huyen[adjective]
soft(软)
ngọt/ŋɔt˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
sweet(甜)
chua/ʨuə˧˧/ngang[adjective]
sour(酸)
đắng/ɗaŋ˧˥/sac[adjective]
bitter(苦)
mặn/man˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
salty(咸)
cay/kaːj˧˧/ngang[adjective]
spicy(辣)
nhạt/ɲaːt˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
bland / weak(淡 / 无味)
béo_2/ɓɛw˧˥/sac[adjective]
rich / greasy (taste)(腻 / 油 (味道))
giòn/ʒɔn˨˩/huyen[adjective]
crispy / crunchy(脆)
hiền/hiən˨˩/huyen[adjective]
gentle / kind(善良 / 温和)
lười/lɨəj˨˩/huyen[adjective]
lazy(懒)
chăm chỉ/ʨam˧˧ ʨi˧˩/hoi[adjective]
diligent / hardworking(勤奋)
thông minh/tʰoŋm˧˧ miɲ˧˧/ngang[adjective]
smart / intelligent(聪明)
yếu/iəw˧˥/sac[adjective]
weak(弱)
trẻ/ʨɛ˧˩/hoi[adjective]
young(年轻)
già/ʒaː˨˩/huyen[adjective]
old (age)(老 (人/年龄))
xinh/siɲ˧˧/ngang[adjective]
pretty / cute(漂亮 (女孩 / 小巧可爱))
lịch sự/lic˧ˀ˨ şɨ˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
polite(礼貌)
khó/xɔ˧˥/sac[adjective]
difficult(难)
rảnh/zaɲ˧˩/hoi[adjective]
free / not busy(空闲)
bận/ɓən˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
busy(忙)
công viên/koŋm˧˧ viən˧˧/ngang[noun]
park(公园)
sở thú/şəː˧˩ tʰu˧˥/sac[noun]
zoo(动物园)
rạp chiếu phim/zaːp˧ˀ˨ ʨiəw˧˥ fim˧˧/ngang[noun]
cinema(电影院)
bãi biển/ɓaːj˧ˀ˥ ɓiən˧˩/hoi[noun]
beach(海滩)
đảo/ɗaːw˧˩/hoi[noun]
island(岛)
thác/tʰaːk˧˥/sac[noun]
waterfall(瀑布)
hang/haːŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
cave(山洞 / 洞穴)
đồng/ɗoːŋm˨˩/huyen[noun]
field / plain(田野 / 平原 (也作"铜"))
đồi/ɗoːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
hill(山丘)
quê/kweː˧˧/ngang[noun]
hometown / countryside(家乡 / 乡下)
phố/foː˧˥/sac[noun]
street / town(街道 / 闹市)
quảng trường/kwaːŋ˧˩ ʨɨəŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
square / plaza(广场)
bảo tàng/ɓaːw˧˩ taːŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
museum(博物馆)
nhà máy/ɲaː˨˩ maːj˧˥/sac[noun]
factory(工厂)
sân vận động/şən˧˧ vən˧ˀ˨ ɗoŋm˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
stadium(体育场)
sông_2/şoŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
river (large)(江 / 河 (大河))
buổi sáng/ɓuəj˧˩ şaːŋ˧˥/sac[noun]
morning(早上 / 上午)
buổi trưa/ɓuəj˧˩ ʨɨə˧˧/ngang[noun]
noon / midday(中午)
buổi chiều/ɓuəj˧˩ ʨiəw˨˩/huyen[noun]
afternoon(下午)
buổi tối/ɓuəj˧˩ toːj˧˥/sac[noun]
evening(晚上)
nửa đêm/nɨə˧˩ ɗeːm˧˧/ngang[noun]
midnight(半夜 / 午夜)
hoàng hôn/hwaːŋ˨˩ hoːn˧˧/ngang[noun]
sunset / dusk(黄昏)
bình minh/ɓiɲ˨˩ miɲ˧˧/ngang[noun]
dawn / sunrise(黎明 / 日出)
năm ngoái/naːm˧˧ ŋwaːj˧˥/sac[adverb]
last year(去年)
năm sau/naːm˧˧ şaːw˧˧/ngang[adverb]
next year(明年)
tháng trước/tʰaːŋ˧˥ ʨɨək˧˥/sac[adverb]
last month(上个月)
tuần trước/twən˨˩ ʨɨək˧˥/sac[adverb]
last week(上周)
cuối tuần/kuəj˧˥ twən˨˩/huyen[noun]
weekend(周末)
hôm kia/hoːm˧˧ kiə˧˧/ngang[adverb]
the day before yesterday(前天)
ngày kia/ŋaːj˨˩ kiə˧˧/ngang[adverb]
the day after tomorrow(后天)
lát nữa/laːt˧˥ nɨə˧ˀ˨/nang[adverb]
in a moment / later(一会儿 / 待会)
thường/tʰɨəŋ˨˩/huyen[adverb]
usually / often(经常 / 通常)
luôn/luən˧˧/ngang[adverb]
always(总是 / 一直)
đôi khi/ɗoːj˧˧ xi˧˧/ngang[adverb]
sometimes(有时)
hiếm khi/hiəm˧˥ xi˧˧/ngang[adverb]
rarely / seldom(很少 / 难得)
sớm/şəːm˧˥/sac[adverb]
early(早 (时间))
vịt/vit˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
duck(鸭子)
bò/ɓɔ˨˩/huyen[noun]
cow / ox(牛)
dê/zeː˧˧/ngang[noun]
goat(山羊)
thỏ/tʰɔ˧˩/hoi[noun]
rabbit(兔子)
chuột/ʨuət˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
mouse / rat(老鼠)
ếch/ʔeːk˧˥/sac[noun]
frog(青蛙)
cua/kuə˧˧/ngang[noun]
crab(螃蟹)
tôm/toːm˧˧/ngang[noun]
shrimp(虾)
ong/ʔɔŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
bee(蜜蜂)
bướm/ɓɨəm˧˥/sac[noun]
butterfly(蝴蝶)
kiến/kiən˧˥/sac[noun]
ant(蚂蚁)
muỗi/muəj˧˩/hoi[noun]
mosquito(蚊子)
sư tử/şɨ˧˧ tɨ˧˩/hoi[noun]
lion(狮子)
gấu/ɣəw˧˥/sac[noun]
bear(熊)
cá sấu/kaː˧˥ şəw˧˥/sac[noun]
crocodile(鳄鱼)
rùa/zuə˨˩/huyen[noun]
turtle (Hoan Kiem legend)(乌龟 (还剑湖传说))
vẹt/vɛt˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
parrot(鹦鹉)
hươu/hɨəw˧˧/ngang[noun]
deer(鹿)
chăn/ʨan˧˧/ngang[noun]
blanket (Northern; "mền" South)(被子 (北方;南方 "mền"))
gối/ɣoːj˧˥/sac[noun]
pillow(枕头)
rèm/zɛm˨˩/huyen[noun]
curtain(窗帘)
kệ/keː˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
shelf(架子 / 书架)
công tắc/koŋm˧˧ tak˧˥/sac[noun]
switch(开关)
ổ cắm/ʔoː˧˩ kam˧˥/sac[noun]
power socket(插座)
chai/ʨaːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
bottle(瓶子)
đĩa/ɗiə˧˩/hoi[noun]
plate(盘子)
lò vi sóng/lɔ˨˩ vi˧˧ şɔŋm˧˥/sac[noun]
microwave oven(微波炉)
máy giặt/maːj˧˥ ʒat˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
washing machine(洗衣机)
chổi/ʨoːj˧˩/hoi[noun]
broom(扫帚)
xô/soː˧˧/ngang[noun]
bucket(水桶)
thùng rác/tʰuŋm˨˩ zaːk˧˥/sac[noun]
trash can(垃圾桶)
xà phòng/saː˨˩ fɔŋ˨˩/huyen[noun]
soap(肥皂)
bàn chải/ɓaːn˨˩ ʨaːj˧˩/hoi[noun]
brush / toothbrush(刷子 / 牙刷)
lược/lɨək˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
comb(梳子)
quạt máy/kwaːt˧ˀ˨ maːj˧˥/sac[noun]
electric fan(电风扇)
nồi cơm điện/noːj˨˩ kəːm˧˧ ɗiən˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
rice cooker(电饭锅)
bạc/ɓaːk˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
silver(银色 / 银)
xanh lá cây/saɲ˧˧ laː˧˥ kəj˧˧/sac[adjective]
leaf green (full form)(草绿色 (完整说法))
đỏ tươi/ɗɔ˧˩ tɨəj˧˧/ngang[adjective]
bright red(鲜红)
trắng tinh/ʨaŋ˧˥ tiɲ˧˧/ngang[adjective]
pure white(雪白 / 纯白)
vàng kim/vaːŋ˨˩ kim˧˧/ngang[adjective]
gold (color)(金色)
móng tay/mɔŋ˧˥ taːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
fingernail(指甲)
ngón chân/ŋɔn˧˥ ʨən˧˧/ngang[noun]
toe(脚趾)
gót chân/ɣɔt˧˥ ʨən˧˧/ngang[noun]
heel(脚跟)
đùi/ɗuːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
thigh(大腿)
eo/ʔɛw˧˧/ngang[noun]
waist(腰)
ngực/ŋɨk˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
chest(胸)
gan/ɣaːn˧˧/ngang[noun]
liver(肝)
dạ dày/zaː˧ˀ˨ zaːj˨˩/huyen[noun]
stomach (organ)(胃)
ruột/zuət˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
intestine / gut(肠子)
não/naːw˧ˀ˥/nga[noun]
brain(大脑)
mồ hôi/moː˨˩ hoːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
sweat(汗)
nước mắt/nɨək˧˥ mat˧˥/sac[noun]
tears(眼泪)
băng/ɓaŋ˧˧/ngang[noun]
ice(冰)
lũ/lu˧ˀ˥/nga[noun]
flood (common in rainy season)(洪水 (越南雨季常见))
hạn hán/haːn˧ˀ˨ haːn˧˥/sac[noun]
drought(干旱)
độ ẩm/ɗoː˧ˀ˨ ʔəm˧˩/hoi[noun]
humidity(湿度)
nhiệt độ/ɲiət˧ˀ˨ ɗoː˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
temperature(温度)
không khí/xəwŋ͡m˧˧ xi˧˥/sac[noun]
air(空气)
oi bức/ʔɔj˧˧ ɓɨk˧˥/sac[adjective]
sultry / muggy(闷热)
mát/maːt˧˥/sac[adjective]
cool / pleasant(凉爽)
ba mươi mốt/ɓaː˧˧ mɨəj˧˧ moːt˧˥/sac[number]
thirty-one(三十一)
bốn mươi lăm/ɓoːn˧˥ mɨəj˧˧ laːm˧˧/ngang[number]
forty-five(四十五)
một trăm lẻ một/moːt˧ˀ˨ ʨam˧˧ lɛ˧˩ moːt˧ˀ˨/nang[number]
one hundred and one (lẻ = "and")(一百零一 ("lẻ" 表零头))
hai trăm/haːj˧˧ ʨam˧˧/ngang[number]
two hundred(两百)
năm trăm/naːm˧˧ ʨam˧˧/ngang[number]
five hundred(五百)
phần trăm/fən˨˩ ʨam˧˧/ngang[noun]
percent(百分比)
một nửa/moːt˧ˀ˨ nɨə˧˩/hoi[number]
a half(一半)
thứ nhất/tʰɨ˧˥ ɲət˧ˀ˨/nang[number]
first (ordinal)(第一 (序数))
thứ hai_2/tʰɨ˧˥ haːj˧˧/ngang[number]
second (ordinal)(第二 (序数))
cặp/kap˧ˀ˨/nang[number]
a pair (classifier)(一对 / 双 (量词))
và/vaː˨˩/huyen[conjunction]
and(和 / 与)
hoặc/hwaːk˧ˀ˨/nang[conjunction]
or(或者)
nhưng/ɲɨŋ˧˧/ngang[conjunction]
but(但是)
vì/vi˨˩/huyen[conjunction]
because(因为)
nên/neːn˧˧/ngang[conjunction]
so / therefore(所以)
nếu/neːw˧˥/sac[conjunction]
if(如果)
mà/maː˨˩/huyen[conjunction]
but / which (colloquial linker)(而 / 却 (口语连接))
cũng/kuŋm˧˧/ngang[adverb]
also / too(也)
vẫn/vən˧˩/hoi[adverb]
still(仍然 / 还)
lại/laːj˧ˀ˨/nang[adverb]
again(再 / 又)
chỉ/ʨi˧˩/hoi[adverb]
only(只 / 仅)
đều/ɗeːw˨˩/huyen[adverb]
all / both (each one)(都 (全部))
bao nhiêu/ɓaːw˧˧ ɲiəw˧˧/ngang[pronoun]
how much / how many(多少 (问数量/价格))
thế nào/tʰeː˧˥ naːw˨˩/huyen[pronoun]
how / in what way(怎么样 / 如何)
này/naːj˨˩/huyen[pronoun]
this(这 (近指))
kia/kiə˧˧/ngang[pronoun]
that (over there)(那 (远指))
thay quần áo/tʰaːj˧˧ kwən˨˩ ʔaːw˧˥/sac[verb]
to change clothes(换衣服)
gấp chăn/ɣəp˧˥ ʨan˧˧/ngang[verb]
to fold the blanket(叠被子)
phơi quần áo/fəːj˧˧ kwən˨˩ ʔaːw˧˥/sac[verb]
to hang clothes to dry(晾衣服)
tưới cây/tɨəj˧˥ kəj˧˧/ngang[verb]
to water plants(浇花 / 浇水)
đổ rác/ɗoː˧˩ zaːk˧˥/sac[verb]
to take out the trash(倒垃圾)
khoá cửa/xwaː˧˥ kɨə˧˩/hoi[verb]
to lock the door(锁门)
pha trà/faː˧˧ ʨaː˨˩/huyen[verb]
to make tea(泡茶)
cho ăn/ʨɔ˧˧ ʔan˧˧/ngang[verb]
to feed (an animal)(喂 (动物))
tiền/tiən˨˩/huyen[noun]
money(钱)
thẻ/tʰɛ˧˩/hoi[noun]
card(卡 (银行卡 / 会员卡))
ví/vi˧˥/sac[noun]
wallet(钱包)
túi/tuːj˧˥/sac[noun]
bag / pocket(袋子 / 包)
ba lô/ɓaː˧˧ loː˧˧/ngang[noun]
backpack(背包 (从法语 sac à dos))
hộp/hoːp˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
box(盒子)
quà/kwaː˨˩/huyen[noun]
gift(礼物)
hoa/hwaː˧˧/ngang[noun]
flower(花)
nến/neːn˧˥/sac[noun]
candle(蜡烛)
bóng/ɓɔŋ˧˥/sac[noun]
ball(球)
đồ chơi/ɗoː˨˩ ʨəːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
toy(玩具)
máy ảnh/maːj˧˥ ʔaɲ˧˩/hoi[noun]
camera(相机)
chìa khoá xe/ciə˨˩ xwaː˧˥ sɛ˧˧/sac[noun]
car / bike key(车钥匙)
đèn pin/ɗɛn˨˩ pin˧˧/ngang[noun]
flashlight(手电筒)
tên/teːn˧˧/ngang[noun]
name(名字)
tuổi/tuəj˧˥/sac[noun]
age / years old(岁 / 年龄)
nghề nghiệp/ŋeː˨˩ ŋiəp˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
occupation(职业)
quốc tịch/kwoːk˧˥ tic˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
nationality(国籍)
hộ chiếu/hoː˧ˀ˨ ʨiəw˧˥/sac[noun]
passport(护照)
địa chỉ/ɗiə˧ˀ˨ ʨi˧˩/hoi[noun]
address(地址)
số điện thoại/şoː˧˥ ɗiən˧ˀ˨ tʰwaːj˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
phone number(电话号码)
hoá đơn/hwaː˧˥ ɗəːn˧˧/ngang[noun]
bill / invoice(账单 / 发票)
lịch/lic˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
calendar / schedule(日历 / 日程)
bản đồ/ɓaːn˧˩ ɗoː˨˩/huyen[noun]
map(地图)
từ điển/tɨ˨˩ ɗiən˧˩/hoi[noun]
dictionary(词典)
chữ/ʨɨ˧˥/sac[noun]
character / letter / writing(字 / 文字)
sinh nhật/şiɲ˧˧ ɲət˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
birthday(生日)
đám cưới/ɗaːm˧˥ kɨəj˧˥/sac[noun]
wedding(婚礼)
lễ hội/leː˧ˀ˨ hoːj˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
festival(节日 / 庆典)
kỳ nghỉ/ki˨˩ ŋi˧˩/hoi[noun]
holiday / vacation(假期)
chuyến đi/ʨwiən˧˥ ɗi˧˧/ngang[noun]
trip / journey(旅程 / 行程)
du lịch/zu˧˧ lic˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to travel / tourism(旅游)
hành lý/haːɲ˨˩ li˧˥/sac[noun]
luggage(行李)
va li/vaː˧˧ li˧˧/ngang[noun]
suitcase (Fr. valise)(行李箱 (从法语 valise))
vé máy bay/vɛ˧˥ maːj˧˥ ɓaːj˧˧/ngang[noun]
plane ticket(机票)
khách du lịch/xaːk˧˥ zu˧˧ lic˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
tourist(游客)
bút chì/ɓut˧˥ ʨi˨˩/huyen[noun]
pencil(铅笔)
tẩy/təj˧˩/hoi[noun]
eraser(橡皮擦)
thước/tʰɨək˧˥/sac[noun]
ruler(尺子)
cặp sách/kap˧ˀ˨ şaːk˧˥/sac[noun]
school bag(书包)
bảng/ɓaːŋ˧˩/hoi[noun]
board / blackboard(黑板 / 白板)
điểm/ɗiəm˧˩/hoi[noun]
grade / score / point(分数 / 成绩)
kỳ thi/ki˨˩ tʰi˧˧/ngang[noun]
exam(考试 (一场))
môn học/moːn˧˧ hɔk˧ˀ˨/nang[noun]
subject / course(科目)
kiến thức/kiən˧˥ tʰɨk˧˥/sac[noun]
knowledge(知识)
ý tưởng/i˧˥ tɨəŋ˧˩/hoi[noun]
idea(想法 / 主意)
bắt đầu/ɓat˧˥ ɗəw˨˩/huyen[verb]
to begin / start(开始)
kết thúc/keːt˧˥ tʰuk˧˥/sac[verb]
to end / finish(结束)
tiếp tục/tiəp˧˥ tuk˧ˀ˨/nang[verb]
to continue(继续)
dừng/zɨŋ˨˩/huyen[verb]
to stop(停下)
thử/tʰɨ˧˩/hoi[verb]
to try(试 / 尝试)
chọn/ʨɔn˧˩/hoi[verb]
to choose(选择)
đổi/ɗoːj˧˩/hoi[verb]
to change / exchange(换 / 改变)
giải thích/ʒaːj˧˩ tʰik˧˥/sac[verb]
to explain(解释)
nhớ ra/ɲəː˧˥ zaː˧˧/ngang[verb]
to recall / remember (suddenly)(想起来)
quan tâm/kwaːn˧˧ təm˧˧/ngang[verb]
to care about(关心 / 在乎)
vui vẻ/vuj˧˧ vɛ˧˩/hoi[adjective]
cheerful / merry(快乐 / 愉快)
buồn bã/ɓuən˨˩ ɓaː˧ˀ˥/nga[adjective]
sorrowful(忧伤)
tốt bụng/toːt˧˥ ɓuŋm˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
kind-hearted(善良 / 好心)
thật/tʰət˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
real / true(真 / 真实)
giả/ʒaː˧˩/hoi[adjective]
fake(假 / 仿)
an toàn/ʔaːn˧˧ twaːn˨˩/huyen[adjective]
safe(安全)
nguy hiểm/ŋwi˧˧ hiəm˧˩/hoi[adjective]
dangerous(危险)
nổi tiếng/noːj˧˩ tiəŋ˧˥/sac[adjective]
famous(有名 / 著名)
giúp đỡ/ʒup˧˥ ɗəː˧˩/hoi[verb]
to help / assist(帮助 (正式双音节))
cảm thấy/kaːm˧˩ tʰəj˧˥/sac[verb]
to feel(感觉 / 觉得)
hỏi thăm/hɔj˧˩ tʰam˧˧/ngang[verb]
to ask after / check on(问候 / 探望)
cẩn thận/kən˧˩ tʰən˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
careful(小心 / 仔细)
vội/voːj˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
in a hurry(匆忙)
im lặng/ʔim˧˧ laŋ˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
silent / quiet(安静 / 沉默)
ồn ào/ʔoːn˨˩ ʔaːw˨˩/huyen[adjective]
noisy(吵闹)
đông đúc/ɗoːŋm˧˧ ɗuk˧˥/sac[adjective]
crowded(拥挤)
ngạc nhiên/ŋaːk˧ˀ˨ ɲiən˧˧/ngang[adjective]
surprised(惊讶)
quan trọng nhất/kwaːn˧˧ ʨɔŋ˧ˀ˨ ɲət˧ˀ˨/nang[adjective]
most important(最重要)

What this tool does

The fastest honest start to Vietnamese, now expanded to the full A1–A2 core. 500 hand-picked words from Pham's "A Frequency Dictionary of Vietnamese" (Routledge 2025), the Vietnamese Ministry of Education's A1–A2 proficiency syllabus for foreigners (Khung năng lực tiếng Việt dùng cho người nước ngoài, 2017), Nguyễn Đình Hoà's NTC Vietnamese-English Dictionary, and Đoàn Thiện Thuật's "Ngữ âm tiếng Việt" for Hanoi-standard IPA. Original 10 categories all expanded (greetings, numbers 1 to billion, time including all 7 days / 12 months / Vietnamese monsoon and dry seasons, family with North/South kinship terms, 40+ verbs, adjectives, prepositions) plus 9 new sub-categories: body (24), weather (14), transport including xe máy and xe đạp (16), clothing including áo dài / nón lá (14), house with bếp / nồi / đũa (20), emotion (16), place (18), school and work (14), and daily routine verbs (16). Food expanded to cover bún chả / gỏi cuốn / cơm tấm / bún bò Huế / nước mắm / cà phê sữa đá.

Every card shows: the word in chữ Quốc ngữ with full tone marks, IPA per the Hanoi standard with tone contour numerals (˧˧, ˨˩, ˧˥, ˧˩, ˧ˀ˥, ˧ˀ˨), a color-coded tone badge (ngang / huyền / sắc / hỏi / ngã / nặng), EN + ZH meanings, part of speech, and a Vietnamese example sentence with both translations. A play button uses your browser's built-in vi-VN voice (Web Speech API — no signup, no network call). Filter by category, or search by Vietnamese, English, or Chinese. Star words to build a private study list in localStorage; nothing leaves your browser.

Why 100 and not 3 000? Going from zero to 100 well-known A1 words is the difference between "I can't order phở" and "I can order phở bò tái, ask for extra herbs, and understand the price in đồng." Pair this with comprehensible input (Tieng Viet Oi on YouTube, Learn Vietnamese with Annie podcast) and you'll be holding short conversations in a month.

Tool details

Input: Text; The page exposes text boxes, numeric controls, file pickers, or structured inputs depending on the tool.
Output: Live result; The result area focuses on usable output, with copy, download, or preview actions when supported.
Privacy: Browser-side processing; The main tool logic does not call an external API, so inputs normally stay in the current tab.
Save / share: Local preference storage; Preferences, history, or drafts are saved in this browser without an account.
Performance budget: Initial JS <= 130 KB; No WASM budget is declared, keeping the tool quick to open on mobile.
Best fit: Text · Student; Category and role tags drive related tools, internal links, and quick fit checks.

How to use

1. Input

Paste or drop your content into the tool panel.
2. Process

Click the button. All processing is local in your browser.
3. Copy / Download

Copy the result or download to disk in one click.

How Vietnamese 500 Essential Words fits into your work

Use it to clean, compare, reshape, or extract plain text before it goes into a document, CMS, spreadsheet, or prompt.

Text jobs

Removing repetitive cleanup work from everyday writing and operations.
Making text easier to compare, paste, publish, or feed into another tool.
Working with content locally when the text is private or unfinished.

Text checks

Scan for unintended whitespace, duplicate lines, and lost punctuation.
For long text, test the first few lines before applying the whole change.
Copy the final output only after checking the preview.

Good next steps

These links move the current task into a more complete workflow.

Real-world use cases

Order a real bowl of phở in Hanoi without pointing at the menu
You land at Nội Bài with a 2-week trip and want to order without English. Filter to the food and numbers categories, star phở, bánh mì, cà phê sữa đá, plus 1 to 100. Tap each card's play button to drill the tones until "phở bò tái" sounds right. Three days in you can order, hear "bốn mươi nghìn" (40,000 đồng), and pay without a calculator.
Build a daily 20-word Anki-style review before a Saigon move
You're relocating to HCMC in two months. Each morning star 10 new words from the family and verb categories, then open your starred list (saved in localStorage) and self-test against the EN and ZH meanings. Read the dialect note: swap lợn for heo and bố for ba. In 8 weeks you reach the full 100 with audio reps, no app login.
Drill the six tones before a Vietnamese pronunciation class
Your tutor expects you to already hear ngang vs huyền vs sắc. Use the color-coded tone badge and IPA contour numerals (˧˧, ˨˩, ˧˥) on each card, focus on the ngã glottal-stop words that trip up foreigners, and replay the vi-VN voice 5 times per word. You arrive able to produce all six tones on "ma" and skip a week of remedial drilling.
Pre-teach core vocabulary for a beginner Vietnamese tutoring session
You teach Vietnamese online and want students to walk in knowing 50 words. Share the tool link filtered to greetings, family, and numbers; students star words and quiz themselves on EN/ZH meanings for homework. Class time then goes to sentence-building with đã / đang / sẽ instead of cold vocabulary lists, doubling your usable minutes per lesson.

Common pitfalls

Skipping the tone badge and learning words tone-blind. "ma" with no tone is ghost, not mother (má). Always replay the audio and read the color badge before you call a word learned.
Trusting Linux espeak audio as a pronunciation model. On espeak the tones flatten out; if you're on Linux, install vbee or a VOS vi-VN voice before drilling, or you'll memorize wrong contours.
Memorizing lợn and bố for a Saigon trip. Those are Northern forms; in HCMC you need heo (pig) and ba (dad). Check the dialect note in each meaning before you commit a word.

Privacy

Everything runs in your browser. The vi-VN audio uses your operating system's built-in voice through the Web Speech API, so nothing is sent to a server when you tap play. Your starred study list lives only in this browser's localStorage and never leaves the device. Category filters and search text are not written to the URL or shared anywhere, so no one can reconstruct what you were studying from a link.

FAQ

Tool combos

Folks in your role tend to reach for these alongside this tool.

Browse all tools for this role

Vietnamese 500 Essential Words (A1–A2) — IPA, 6 Tones, Hanoi Standard, TTS Audio (Free)

What this tool does

Tool details

How to use

1. Input

2. Process

3. Copy / Download

How Vietnamese 500 Essential Words fits into your work

Text jobs

Text checks

Good next steps

Real-world use cases

Order a real bowl of phở in Hanoi without pointing at the menu

Build a daily 20-word Anki-style review before a Saigon move

Drill the six tones before a Vietnamese pronunciation class

Pre-teach core vocabulary for a beginner Vietnamese tutoring session

Common pitfalls

Privacy

FAQ

English Vocabulary Test

Spanish 500 Essential Words

Russian 500 Essential Words (TORFL A1-A2)

Arabic 1100 Essential Words

Portuguese 500 Essential Words

Dutch 500 Essential Words

French 1086 Essential Words — DELF A1, A2, B1, B2 & Professions

German 500 Essential Words

Hindi 1300 Essential Words

A1Z26 Cipher (Letter ⇄ Number)

Chinese Acupoint Locator

Add Line Numbers