![{2400[x]1600}{priority}{caption: Our family on our last trip to Vietnam. Here we are at the Starlight bridge in district 7, Ho Chi Minh city.}](/journal/250423/learning-vietnamese-lesson-8-1.jpg)

Just got back from the Edinburgh trip and went almost straight to the Vietnamese class. This week, we focused a lot on tones and some of the trickier vowel sounds. I'm still trying to wrap my head (and tongue) around the difference between ngang (the mid tone) and huyền (the low-falling tone). They sound almost the same to me, but apparently they're not even close if you're Vietnamese.

## A Few Things That Help Me (Kind Of)

Pronunciation is tough, but I've found a few things that are actually helping:

- Slow and exaggerated is better than fast and wrong. I'm learning to just embrace sounding ridiculous at first.
- Minimal pairs (like "ma" vs "mà" vs "má" etc.) are super useful, even if it's really frustrating to get them right.
- Recording myself is awkward but really helpful. It's easier to hear mistakes when I listen back.
- I also try to listen to it like music, especially the tones. It helps me think less like a language learner and more like someone learning a song.

There's a famous American singer named Kyo York who learned Vietnamese, and is now as good as fluent in the language, inspiring!

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All about pronunciation

Learning Vietnamese - Lesson 8

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More photos and prints at [Rockfoto](https://rockfoto.nu/artists/rosalie-cunningham/20250418/30313)

Read the review at [GP.se](https://www.gp.se/kultur/musik/konsertrecension/recension-rosalie-cunningham-skeppet-fredag.cc5e27ed-c914-4909-80c0-a63ddf4442df)


Rosalie Cunningham @ Skeppet

![{2400[x]1600}{priority}{caption: From my 2018 trip to the Mekong Delta — we stopped by Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda in Mỹ Tho, and I’ll never forget the peaceful atmosphere and the massive smiling Buddha. The statue is a modern addition, over 20 meters tall, and represents the Maitreya Buddha — a symbol of happiness and prosperity in Vietnamese Buddhism.}](/journal/250416/learning-vietnamese-lesson-7-1.jpg)

Lesson 7 focused on practical Vietnamese phrases for the classroom — simple, everyday language that helps things run smoothly during lessons. These are the kinds of phrases that don’t stand out in a textbook, but are essential in real situations.

One of the first phrases covered was "Thầy ơi" or "Cô ơi" — used to get the teacher’s attention. It’s a small but important part of classroom interaction and makes it easier to speak up during activities or when something needs clarification.

Another key phrase was "Tôi không hiểu" — "I don’t understand." It’s direct, easy to remember, and a crucial part of learning any language. Paired with "Câu này có nghĩa là gì?" — "What does this mean?" — it opens the door to better understanding and more confident participation.

Questions like "Tôi có thể hỏi một câu hỏi không?" — "Can I ask a question?" and "Bạn có thể nói chậm hơn không?" — "Can you speak more slowly?" were also introduced. These are especially helpful when trying to follow instructions or keep up with spoken Vietnamese in a classroom setting.

Even logistical phrases like "Tôi có thể đi vệ sinh không?" — "Can I go to the restroom?" and "Làm ơn, giúp tôi với!" — "Please help me!" were included. While simple, they make a big difference in creating a smoother, more comfortable learning environment.

Lesson 7 was a solid step forward in building the kind of everyday Vietnamese that’s not just about vocabulary or grammar — but about navigating the learning process itself.
