Introduction

Some fundamental Vietnamese phrases are more valuable than others.

Why not concentrate on mastering these words first? We chose to write this post for you specifically for that reason.

The essential Vietnamese phrases covered in this post will help you communicate better if you’re just beginning to learn Vietnamese or are already fluent.

If you’re soon traveling to a Vietnamese-speaking place, these will be especially useful to you.

Basic Vietnamese Words and Sentences That You Must Know

The following are the basic Vietnamese words and sentences that you must know:

1. My name is … 

Tôi tên là ______ (Toy ten la _____ )

Use this phrase to tell someone your name.

3. What’s your name?

What is your name? (formal, to a man (forties or older, depending on the sensitivity of the person you address))

Ông tên là gì? (ohng ten la zee)

Use this phrase to ask someone his/her name.

4.How much does this cost?

Bao nhiêu (tiền)? (bahw ngew tee-uhn…)

Use this phrase to know the cost of something.

5.How are you?

Khỏe không? (kweh kohng?)

Use this phrase to ask someone how he or she is.

6.I lost my wallet. 

Tôi bị mất cái ví. (Toy bee mUHtt kai vee)

Use this phrase to tell someone bout losing your wallet.

7.Fine, thank you.

Khoẻ, cảm ơn. (kweh, gauhm uhhn)

Use this phrase to tell that you are fine.

8.I can’t speak Vietnamese

Tôi không biết nói tiếng Việt [giỏi lắm]. (thoy kohng byet noy tyeng vyet [zoy luhm])

Use this phrase to tell someone that you can’t speak Vietnamese.

9.Do you speak English?

Biết nói tiếng Anh không? (byet noy tyeng ang kaumng)

Use this phrase to ask if that particular person speaks English.

10. Is there someone here who speaks English?

Có ai ở đây biết nói tiếng Anh không? (GAW eye uh day byet noy tyeng ang kaumng)

Use this phrase to ask if someone speak English in that area.

11.I’m lost

Tôi bị lạc. (Toi bee lack)

Use this phrase to tell someone you are lost.

12.I don’t understand

Tôi không hiểu. (toy kohng hugh)

Use this phrase to tell someone if you don’t understand something.

13.Where is the toilet?

Cầu tiêu ở đâu? (koh tee-oh uh doh). More formal and common: Nhà vệ sinh/wc ở đâu?

Use this phrase to ask for the toilet.

14. I lost my wallet.

Tôi bị mất cái ví. (Toy bee mUHtt kai vee)

Use this phrase to inform about losing your wallet.

Basic Vietnamese words that you should know:

• Help! – Cứu (tôi) với! (gih-OO (thoy) vuh-y!)
• Look out! -Cẩn thận! (guhn tuh’n!)
• Good night (to sleep) -Chúc ngủ ngon. (chook ngoo ngawn)
• I don’t understand – Tôi không hiểu. (toy kohng hugh)
• Where is the toilet? (this phrase may be considered impolite) – Cầu tiêu ở đâu? (koh tee-oh uh doh).
• More formal and common: Nhà vệ sinh/wc ở đâu?
• Be back soon – Sẽ quay lại sớm (se-ay kway lie-ay sohm)

Conclusion

We hope these foundational words and phrases will improve your ability to speak Vietnamese confidently.

The first few times won’t be simple, so practice is the only and best option.

And always remember to prioritize the most important terms first rather than attempting to memorize all the phrases we shared with you today.