Learning a new language can be a rewarding journey, and Vietnamese is no exception. With its rich culture and melodic tones, the Vietnamese language offers an exciting challenge for learners. If you’re just starting out, focusing on basic words is a practical way to build your vocabulary and gain confidence in communication. Here are 100 essential Vietnamese words to help you begin your journey.

1. Greetings and Essentials

• Xin chào (“Hello”)
• Tạm biệt (“Goodbye”)
• Cám ơn (“Thank you”)
• Xin lỗi (“Sorry”)
• Vâng (“Yes”)
• Không (“No”)
• Được (“Okay”)

2. Numbers

• Một (“One”)
• Hai (“Two”)
• Ba (“Three”)
• Bốn (“Four”)
• Năm (“Five”)
• Sáu (“Six”)
• Bảy (“Seven”)
• Tám (“Eight”)
• Chín (“Nine”)
• Mười (“Ten”)

3. Days and Time

• Hôm nay (“Today”)
• Ngày mai (“Tomorrow”)
• Hôm qua (“Yesterday”)
• Sáng (“Morning”)
• Trưa (“Noon”)
• Chiều (“Afternoon”)
• Tối (“Evening”)

4. Pronouns

• Tôi (“I”)
• Bạn (“You”)
• Anh (“He” or “You” for older male)
• Chị (“She” or “You” for older female)
• Họ (“They”)

5. Family

• Cha / Bố (“Father”)
• Mẹ (“Mother”)
• Anh (“Older brother”)
• Chị (“Older sister”)
• Em (“Younger sibling”)

6. Food and Drink

• Cơm (“Rice”)
• Phở (“Noodle soup”)
• Bánh mì (“Bread”)
• Cà phê (“Coffee”)
• Trà (“Tea”)
• Nước (“Water”)
• Thịt (“Meat”)

7. Colors

• Đỏ (“Red”)
• Vàng (“Yellow”)
• Xanh (“Blue/Green”)
• Trắng (“White”)
• Đen (“Black”)

8. Basic Verbs

• Đi (“Go”)
• Đến (“Come”)
• Ăn (“Eat”)
• Uống (“Drink”)
• Nghệ (“Sleep”)
• Mua (“Buy”)
• Nói (“Speak”)
• Làm (“Do”)
• Biết (“Know”)

9. Adjectives

• Tốt (“Good”)
• Xấu (“Bad”)
• Đẹp (“Beautiful”)
• Cao (“Tall”)
• Thấp (“Short”)
• Nóng (“Hot”)
• Lạnh (“Cold”)

10. Places

• Nhà (“House”)
• Trường (“School”)
• Chợ (“Market”)
• Quán (“Restaurant”)
• Bệnh viện (“Hospital”)
• Sân bay (“Airport”)

How to Practice These Words

1. Flashcards: Use flashcards to test your memory of the words and their meanings.
2. Daily Use: Incorporate these words into your daily conversations or thoughts.
3. Language Apps: Apps like Duolingo or Memrise can help reinforce vocabulary.
4. Speaking Practice: Pair up with a language partner or join a Vietnamese language meetup.

Tips for Success

• Start Small: Begin with a few words at a time and gradually increase your vocabulary.
• Practice Pronunciation: Vietnamese is a tonal language, so correct pronunciation is crucial.
• Immerse Yourself: Listen to Vietnamese music, watch movies, or follow Vietnamese social media accounts to hear the language in context.

Learning Vietnamese might feel overwhelming at first, but with consistent practice and a solid foundation of basic words, you’ll be on your way to fluency in no time. Chúc may mắn! (Good luck!)