Lesson 06: How To Spell Vietnamese - Group 04 Other vowels with diphthongs and triphthongs

Summary: We’re going to complete your spelling Vietnamese skill with the last group of Vietnamese letter today. 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. Introduce Group 4 - Other vowels

Let's explore the final group of Vietnamese vowels and consonants, which encompasses vowels featuring numerous diphthongs and triphthongs. This group contains many words that are challenging to both spell and pronounce, so it's essential to approach them slowly and meticulously.

Letters	Initial consonants		Vowels			Closing consonants
	Conso-nants	Di-graphs & Tri-graphs	Vowels	Diph-thongs	Triph-thongs	Conso-nants	Di-graphs
â			â
ă			ă
i			i	ia, iê/yê, iu	iêu/yêu
o			o	oa, oă, oe, oi	oai, oao, oay, oeo
u			u	ua, uâ, uê, ui, uô, uơ	uây, uôi, uya, uyê, uyu
ư			ư	ưa, ưi, ươ, ưu, uy	ươi, ươu
y			y	yê/iê	yêu/iêu

2. Vowels, diphthongs and triphthongs always need closing consonant(s).

Vowels , Ă; diphthongs IÊ/YÊ, OĂ, U, ƯƠ; and triphthong UYÊ always require a closing consonant. However, they are never followed by CH and NH.

Although diphthongs IÊ and YÊ sound alike, they have distinct rules:

• YÊ never necessitates an initial consonant, digraph, or trigraph.
• Conversely, IÊ always requires an initial consonant, digraph, or trigraph.

Initial consonant	Vowel	Closing consonant	The complete word	English
	Ă	n	Ăn	Eat
X	ă	ng	Xăng	Gasoline
	Â	n	Ân hận	Regret
T	ấ	n	Tấn	Ton
L	iê	n	Liên	(A name)
	Yê	n	Yên lặng	Silent
X	oă	n	Xoăn	Wavy/Curve
X	uâ	n	Xuân	Spring
	Ướ	c	Ước	Wish
L	ươ	ng	Lương	Salary
X	ướ	c	Xước	Scratch
	Uyê	n	Uyên bác	Erudite
T	uyệ	t	Tuyệt	Fanstatic

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)

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

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

3. Vowels with many diphthongs and triphthongs.

While their pronunciations differ, these elements do not possess many spelling rules or exceptions. Your focus should primarily be on memorizing their sounds.

Initial consonant	Vowel	Closing consonant	The complete word	English
Đ	i		Đi	Go/Walk
D	ĩa		Dĩa	Plate
L	íu		Líu lo	Chirped
D	iều		Diều	Kite
	yêu		Yêu	Love
D	o		Bo	Because
L	o	ng	Long	Dragon
	oa	n	Oan	Slander
L	oa		Loa	Speaker
Kh	oe		Khoe	Boast/Show off
Kh	oe	n	Khoen	Animal nose ring
	Ói		Ói	Vomit
N	ói		Nói	Speak
Kh	ói		Khói	Smoke (noun)
Kh	oai		Khoai	Potato
Ng	oao		Ngoao ngoao	The sound of a cat
X	oay		Xoay	Spin around
Ng	oéo		Ngoéo tay	Pinky swear
D	ù		Dù	Umbrella
H	u	n	Hun khói	Smoke (verb)
C	ua		Cua	Crab
S	uê		Sum suê (or Xum xuê)	Luxuriant
H	uế		Huế	(The old capital of Vietnam)
N	ui		Nui	Macaroni
L	uô	n	Luôn luôn	Always
Th	uở		Thuở xưa	Once upon a time
Kh	uấy		Khuấy	Stir
N	uôi		Nuôi	Grow/Breed
Kh	uya		Khuya	Mid/Late night
Kh	uỷu		Khuỷu tay	Elbow
D	ư		Dư	Exceed
L	ư	ng	Lưng	Back
D	ưa		Dưa hấu	Watermelon
Ng	ưi		Con ngưi	Pupil (of an eye)
G	ửi		Gửi (or Gởi)	Send
L	ưu		Lưu	Save
D	uy		Duy trì	Maintain
C	ười		Cười	Smile
H	ươu		Hươu	Deer
	Y		Y tế	Medical
L	y		Ly (or Li)	Glass/Cup

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)

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

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

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

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

Consistent practice not only leads to perfection but also facilitates swifter progress in subsequent lessons. In the upcoming lesson, I will provide an overview of all Vietnamese vowels and consonants, along with their digraphs, trigraphs, diphthongs, and triphthongs. Ensure you have comprehensively grasped the content of the last four lessons to tackle all spelling exercises in:

Thank you, and I eagerly anticipate our next encounter in your Learn Vietnamese 30 Days journey!