Beginner - Week 2

Greetings & Basic Phrases

Master essential greetings and courtesy expressions for everyday conversations

25 minutes 30+ phrases Social interaction

Basic Greetings

Vietnamese greetings vary based on age, gender, and social relationship. Learn to greet people appropriately in different contexts.

Universal Greetings

1
Xin chào
[sin chow]
Hello (formal, universal)
Most formal and universally acceptable greeting
2
Chào bạn
[chow ban]
Hello friend
Casual greeting for peers

Age-Based Greetings

Vietnamese uses different pronouns based on age and gender:

3
Chào anh
[chow ang]
Hello (to older male)
anh = older brother, used for males older than you
4
Chào chị
[chow chee]
Hello (to older female)
chị = older sister, used for females older than you
5
Chào em
[chow em]
Hello (to younger person)
em = younger sibling, used for anyone younger
6
Chào cô
[chow ko]
Hello (to teacher/aunt)
cô = aunt/teacher, respectful for professional women
7
Chào chú
[chow choo]
Hello (to uncle)
chú = uncle, for men older than your parents
8
Chào bác
[chow bahk]
Hello (to elderly person)
bác = aunt/uncle, very respectful for elderly
Pro Tip: When unsure which pronoun to use, "Xin chào" is always safe. Vietnamese people appreciate foreigners trying to speak their language!

Courtesy Expressions

Essential polite phrases that show respect and good manners in Vietnamese culture.

Thank You & Please

9
Cảm ơn
[gahm uhn]
Thank you
10
Cảm ơn nhiều
[gahm uhn nyew]
Thank you very much
nhiều = a lot, many
11
Cảm ơn anh
[gahm uhn ang]
Thank you (to older male)
12
Làm ơn
[lahm uhn]
Please
Used when making a request

Apologies & Excuses

13
Xin lỗi
[sin loy]
Sorry / Excuse me
14
Xin lỗi anh
[sin loy ang]
Sorry (to older male)
15
Không sao
[khome sow]
It's okay / No problem
Response to an apology
16
Không có gì
[khome go zee]
You're welcome / No worries

Common Questions

Essential questions for basic conversations and introductions.

17
Bạn khỏe không?
[ban khweh khome]
How are you?
Bạn khỏe không?
18
Bạn tên gì?
[ban ten zee]
What's your name?
Bạn tên gì?
19
Bạn từ đâu?
[ban tuh doh]
Where are you from?
20
Bạn sống ở đâu?
[ban sohng uh doh]
Where do you live?
21
Bạn làm gì?
[ban lahm zee]
What do you do?
22
Bạn bao nhiêu tuổi?
[ban bow nyew tway]
How old are you?
Common in Vietnam, not considered rude

Common Responses

How to answer basic questions about yourself.

23
Tôi khỏe, cảm ơn
[toy khweh gahm uhn]
I'm fine, thank you
24
Tên tôi là...
[ten toy lah]
My name is...
25
Tôi đến từ Mỹ
[toy den tuh mee]
I'm from America
26
Tôi là học sinh
[toy lah hawk sing]
I'm a student
27
Rất vui được gặp bạn
[zuht vwee dook gap ban]
Nice to meet you
28
Tôi cũng vui được gặp bạn
[toy koong vwee dook gap ban]
Nice to meet you too

Farewells

Say goodbye politely in different situations.

29
Tạm biệt
[tahm byet]
Goodbye (formal)
30
Chào bạn
[chow ban]
Bye friend (casual)
31
Hẹn gặp lại
[hen gap lai]
See you again
32
Gặp lại sau
[gap lai sow]
See you later
33
Chúc ngủ ngon
[chook ngoo ngawn]
Good night / Sleep well
34
Đi cẩn thận
[dee kun tuhn]
Take care / Be careful
Cultural Note: Vietnamese people often say "Chào" for both hello and goodbye, with context determining the meaning!

Test Your Knowledge

Practice what you've learned with interactive exercises!

Match Vietnamese with English

Click two cards to match them. Find all pairs!

Xin chào
Hello (formal)
Cảm ơn
Thank you
Xin lỗi
Sorry
Tạm biệt
Goodbye
Bạn khỏe không?
How are you?
Rất vui được gặp bạn
Nice to meet you

Fill in the Blanks

1. To say "Thank you very much" in Vietnamese: Cảm ơn
Hint: means "a lot" or "very"
2. To greet an older male: Chào
Hint: means "older brother"
3. "Nice to meet you" in Vietnamese: Rất vui
Hint: "to meet you"

Conversation Practice

Practice this simple dialogue. Click each line to hear it spoken:

Xin chào! Bạn khỏe không?
Hello! How are you?
Tôi khỏe, cảm ơn. Còn bạn?
I'm fine, thank you. And you?
Tôi cũng khỏe. Bạn tên gì?
I'm fine too. What's your name?
Tên tôi là Minh. Rất vui được gặp bạn!
My name is Minh. Nice to meet you!