Self introduction is one of the most common and basic communication topics when learning new languages. How to introduce yourself in Vietnamese? Let’s check out these detailed instructions below!
1. How to address people and yourself in Vietnamese
Firstly, when learning Vietnamese or introducing yourself in Vietnamese, you need to understand and apply the form of address. The reason is because: In Vietnamese has many pronouns which are identified according to the age, gender and the relationship between speaker and listener.
Example: In Vietnamese, there are various ways to say “I love you” such as: “em yêu anh”, “anh yêu em”, “con yêu mẹ”, “mẹ yêu con”, “bố yêu con”, “tớ yêu cậu”,… depending on the relationship, age and gender of the speaker and the listener.
Many foreigners have difficulties learning Vietnamese pronouns and occasionally ask questions such as: What does “I” mean in Vietnamese?; What does “you” mean in Vietnamese?,….
Here are some basic pronouns and examples of “I love you”:
| I – You | How to say (“I love you” in Vietnamese) |
| Tôi – Bạn | When you and the listener are at the same age, or you are older than the listener. Example: “tôi yêu bạn” |
| Mình – Bạn | Same way to the circumstance “Tôi-Bạn” Example: “mình yêu bạn” |
| Tớ – Bạn/Cậu | When you and the listener are at the same age. But it is generally used when you are young (Vietnamese kids use this way regularly) Example: “tớ yêu cậu” |
| Em – Chị | When you are younger than the listener and listener is a female. Example: “em yêu chị” |
| Em – Anh | When you are younger than the listener and listener is a male. Example: “em yêu anh” |
| Chị – Em | When you are older than the listener and you are a female. Example: “chị yêu em” |
| Con – Bố | When you talk to your father Example: “con yêu bố” |
| Con – Mẹ | When you talk to your mother Example: “con yêu mẹ” |
| Cháu – Cô/bác | When you talk to someone who is the same age as your parents and is a female. Example: “cháu yêu cô” |
| Cháu – Chú/bác | When you talk to someone who is the same age as your parents and is a male. Example: “cháu yêu bác” |
| Cháu/con – Bà | When you talk to your grandmother or someone who is the same age as your grandmother and is a female. Example: “cháu yêu bà” |
| Cháu/con – Ông | When you talk to your grandfather or someone who is the same age as your grandfather and is a male. Example: “cháu yêu ông” |
| Tao – Mày | When you talk to your close friend comfortably Example: “tao yêu mày” |
Examples: Ann (female, 24 years old) is talking to Linh (female, 30 years old)
- Ann: Chị đang đi đâu đấy? (Where are you going?)
- Linh: Chị đang đi đến hiệu sách. Còn em? (I’m going to the bookshop. And you?)
2. Sample sentences to introduce yourself in Vietnamese
Here are some basic sample sentences to introduce yourself in Vietnamese:
2.1. Greetings and name introduction in Vietnamese
a. Vietnamese greetings
In Vietnamese, you can greet others in multiple ways. In the simplest form, you can use these following ways:
[Xin chào = hello (Sin Chow)]
Or when you talk to older people. You can use:
- Em chào anh/chị (When you are younger than the listener)
- Cháu chào cô/chú/bác (When the listeners are the same age as your parents)
- Cháu chào ông/bà (When the listeners are the same age as your grandparents)
See more:
b. Name introduction in Vietnamese – How to introduce yourself in Vietnamese
In order to ask and introduce your name in Vietnamese, you can apply these sample sentences:
[Tên của bạn là gì? = What’s your name? (Ten bang la zi)]
(Note: “Bạn” is equivalent to “you”, and can be replaced by other pronouns such as: anh, chị, cô, chú,… depending on the circumstance).
Example: Tên của anh là gì?; Tên của cô là gì?; Tên của chú là gì?;…
[Tên tôi là Nam/Tôi là Nam/ = My name is Nam/I’m Nam]
[Mọi người hay gọi tôi là Nam = Everyone often calls me Nam]
(Note: “Tôi” is equivalent to “I”, and can be replaced by: anh, chị, em,…depending on the circumstance)
Example: Tên tôi là Nam; Tên em là Nam; Tên cháu là Nam,…
2.2. How to ask and introduce age – “How old are you?” in Vietnamese
[Bạn bao nhiêu tuổi?/Bạn năm nay bao nhiêu tuổi? = How old are you?]
(Note: The word “bạn” means “you” and can be replaced by other pronouns in each circumstance
[Tôi 23 tuổi/Tôi năm nay 23 tuổi = I’m 23 years old]
Example: Ann (24 years old) is talking to Ms. Linh (female, 54 years old)
- Linh: Cháu bao nhiêu tuổi?
- Ann: Cháu 20 tuổi
Nam (10 years old) is talking to John (20 years old)
- Nam: Anh bao nhiêu tuổi?
- John: Anh 20 tuổi
2.3 Introduction to nationality and current address in Vietnamese
Here are some basic sample sentences to introduce your nationality and current living place:
a. Nationality introduction
[Bạn đến từ đâu? = Where are you from?]
[Tôi đến từ Đức = I come from Germany]
[Tôi là người Đức = I’m German]
Example: Lan (female, 20 years old) is talking to Kim (female, 30 years old)
- Lan: Chị đến từ đâu?
- Kim: Chị là người Hàn/Chị đến từ Hàn Quốc
Below are suggestions for you, some names of nation in Vietnamese:
| Vietnamese | English |
| Anh | England |
| Thái Lan | ThaiLand |
| Ấn Độ | India |
| Trung Quốc | China |
| Nhật Bản | Japan |
| Mỹ | America |
| Pháp | France |
| Đức | Germany |
b. Introduction to current living place – Introduce yourself in Vietnamese
[Bạn đang sống ở đâu? = Where do you live?]
[Tôi đang sống ở Hà Nội = I’m living in Hanoi]
[Tôi (sống) ở Việt Nam 2 tháng rồi = I’ve live in Vietnam for 2 months already]
Example: Jenny (female, 20 years old) is talking to Long (male, 60 years old)
- Long: Cháu đang sống ở đâu? (Where are you living?)
- Jenny: Cháu đang sống ở Hà Nội. Cháu ở Việt Nam 3 tháng rồi. (I’m living in Hanoi. I’ve been living in Vietnam for 2 months already)
2.4. Occupation introduction – Introduce yourself in Vietnamese
Occupation introduction is an irreplaceable part when introducing yourself. Here are some basic sample sentences, easy application for self introduction in Vietnamese:
[Tôi là + job position/title = I’m a/an +job position/title]
[Tôi làm về + industry = I work in + industry]
[Tôi làm ở place/company = T work at hospital]
Some popular occupations in Vietnamese:
| Vietnamese | English |
| Giáo viên | Teacher |
| Lập trình viên | Programmer |
| Kiến trúc sư | Architect |
| Đầu bếp | Chef |
| Nha sĩ | Dentist |
| Bác sĩ | Doctor |
| Người mẫu | Model |
| Nhân viên văn phòng | Office worker |
2.5. Introduction to hobby in Vietnamese
[Tôi thích + (hobby) = I like cooking]
[Tôi thích nhất là + (hobby) = I like …. the most]
[Sở thích của tôi là + (hobby) = My hobby is …]
Example: Ann (female, 24 years old) is introducing herself to her boss Lan (female, 35 years old)
- Em thích đọc sách (I like reading books)
- Sở thích của em là đọc sách (My hobby is reading books)
- Em thích nhất là đọc sách = I like reading books the most.
** Note: Bold words can be replaced by other pronouns depending on the circumstance
Here is a short instruction, which helps you to introduce yourself in Vietnamese simply. Hope this article provides you with useful information.
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