Lesson 03: How To Spell Vietnamese - Group 01 Simple vowels and consonants

Summary: Let's begin the process of learning Vietnamese letter by letter. As discussed in the previous lesson, we will systematically divide the 29 vowels and consonants (including their diphthongs, triphthongs, digraphs, and trigraphs) into four manageable groups, each following similar rules in spelling. Get ready to delve into the intricacies of Vietnamese spelling as we progress through these groups.

• Part 01: Simple Vowels and Consonants that can only play one role in a word.
• Part 02: Initial Consonants and their digraphs.
• Part 03: Consonants, and their digraphs and trigraphs that can be both initial and closing.
• Part 04: Other Vowels with diphthongs and triphthongs.
• Part 05: Sum-up table & practice how to spell Vietnamese.

Learning and mastering all the spelling rules presented in these lessons typically takes a Vietnamese child one to two years. Consequently, it may take you several days to grasp and practice these rules, but they are essential for your journey through "Learn Vietnamese 30 Days".

Blog Writer's Notes:

1. All rules outlined here apply to standard Vietnamese, which is based on the Northern Vietnamese dialect.
2. The Southern Vietnamese dialect alters the pronunciation of some consonants but does not affect their written form. Written Vietnamese always adheres to standard Vietnamese.
3. Explanation of Some Terms Used in This Lesson:

• Diphthongs and Triphthongs are combinations of two or three vowels. They may or may not alter the pronunciation of the original vowel.
• Digraphs and Trigraphs are combinations of two or three consonants. They may or may not alter the pronunciation of the original consonant.

1. Simple vowels and consonants

Congratulations! You've embarked on your journey to Learn Vietnamese in 30 days right here, starting with the first group of vowels and consonants in Vietnamese. This initial group comprises:

• Consonants functioning solely as initial consonants, without any digraphs or trigraphs.
• Vowels featuring only diphthongs.

Letters	Initial consonants		Vowels			Closing consonants
	Conso-nants	Di-graphs & Tri-graphs	Vowels	Diph-thongs	Triph-thongs	Conso-nants	Di-graphs
a			a	ai, ao, au, ay
â			â	âu, ây
e			e	eo
ê			ê	êu
ô			ô	ôi
ơ			ơ	ơi
b	b
d	d
đ	đ
h	h
l	l
r	r
s	s
v	v
x	x

Note: Click to play

2. Vowel A and its diphthongs.

Initial consonant	Vowel	The complete word	English
B	a	Ba	Dad
D	a	Da	Skin
	Ai	Ai	Who
S	ai	Sai	Wrong
	Ao	Ao	Pond
S	ao	Sao	Star
R	au	Rau	Vegetables
B	ay	Bay	Fly
S	ay	Say	Drunk

Note: Click to play

Quiz 01: Which is the correct spelling of this audio?

(Note: Click to play audio. Correct answer button will turn green)

Quiz 02: Which is the correct spelling of this audio?

(Note: Click to play audio. Correct answer button will turn green)

3. Vowel  and its diphthongs.

Initial consonant	Vowel	The complete word	English
C	âu	Câu	Fishing
C	ây	Cây	Tree
Đ	âu	Đâu	Where
D	ây	Dây	String

Note: Click to play

Quiz 03: Which is the correct spelling of this audio?

(Note: Click to play audio. Correct answer button will turn green)

4. Vowel E and its diphthong.

Initial consonant	Vowel	The complete word	English
V	e	Ve	Cicada
X	e	Xe	Vehicle
	Eo	Eo	Waist
H	eo	Heo	Pig
R	eo	Reo	Ring

Note: Click to play

Quiz 04: Which is the correct spelling of this audio?

(Note: Click to play audio. Correct answer button will turn green)

5. Vowel Ê and its diphthong.

Initial consonant	Vowel	The complete word	English
D	ê	Dê	Goat
L	ê	Lê	Pear
R	êu	Rêu	Moss
L	êu	Lêu lêu	The sound of razzing/blowing a rasberry

Note: Click to play

Quiz 05: Which is the correct spelling of this audio?

(Note: Click to play audio. Correct answer button will turn green)

6. Vowel Ô and its diphthong.

Initial consonant	Vowel	The complete word	English
Đ	ô	Đô	Dollar
V	ô	Vô	Come in
Đ	ôi	Đôi	Couple/Double
V	ôi	Vôi	Limestone

Note: Click to play

Quiz 06: Which is the correct spelling of this audio?

(Note: Click to play audio. Correct answer button will turn green)

7. Vowel Ơ and its diphthong.

Initial consonant	Vowel	The complete word	English
B	ơ	Bơ	Butter/Avocado
D	ơ	Dơ	Dirty
L	ơi	Lơi	Loose
R	ơi	Rơi	Fall/Drop

Note: Click to play

Quiz 07: Which is the correct spelling of this audio?

(Note: Click to play audio. Correct answer button will turn green)

8. Consonants B, D, Đ, H, L, R, S, V, X.

Initial consonant	Vowel	The complete word	English
B	a	Ba	Dad
D	a	Da	Skin
Đ	i	Đi	Go/Walk
H	o	Ho	Cough
L	ê	Lê	Pear
R	a	Ra	Go out
S	ư	Sư tử	Lion
V	ô	Vô	Come in
X	u	Xu	Coin

Note: Click to play

Note: Formal Southern Vietnamese dialect does pronounce all consonants B, D, Đ, H, L, R, S, V, X as it is. But informal and spoken Vietnamese in the South (especially in rural areas) pronounces differently:

• R, V becomes D. For example: “Ra” and “Va” becomes “Da”.
• S becomes X. For example: “Sô” becomes “Xô”.

Quiz 08: Which is the correct spelling of this audio?

(Note: Click to play audio. Correct answer button will turn green)

Quiz 09: Which is the correct spelling of this audio?

(Note: Click to play audio. Correct answer button will turn green)

Take your time to diligently learn and practice this lesson before proceeding to the next one. By mastering the art of spelling Vietnamese in each lesson, you'll establish a solid foundation to progress swiftly in your Learn Vietnamese in 30 days journey. In the upcoming lesson, we will delve deeper into the second group of vowels and consonants in Vietnamese.

Thank you and see you very soon!