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Vietnamese

Vietnamese syllables and tones

Vietnamese syllables carry tones that can change a word’s meaning, as in ma, má, and mà.

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5 minutes. No sign-up needed.

What you'll learn4 ideas
  • “ma” means “ghost” and has a level tone.
  • “má” means “mom” in southern Vietnam and has a rising tone.
  • “mà” can mean “but” and has a low, falling tone.
  • “Con ma ở đâu?” asks where the ghost is.
Chapter 1: Sounds and first greetings5 lessons · 18 min
  1. 1Vietnamese syllables and tones5 min
  2. 2Vietnamese vowels and consonants4 min
  3. 3Vietnamese greetings3 min
  4. 4Asking and giving names3 min
  5. 5Regional pronunciation differences3 min
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This lesson is part of the Vietnamese course.

Example plan3 lessons · 12 min

Vietnamese syllables and tonesSounds and first greetings5 min
Vietnamese vowels and consonantsSounds and first greetings4 min
Vietnamese greetingsSounds and first greetings3 min

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