Master Vietnamese Pronouns in 5 mins – P1

Vietnamese is hard? Yes and no. If you have started, you might find Vietnamese grammar pretty similar to English. Mastering Vietnamese is absolutely possible for everyone, however, we agree that there are some challenges, typically Vietnamese pronouns are quite a headache for some. Let us show you the right way to learn pronouns within minutes and you will forget how challenging Vietnamese grammar is. 

Unlike English or some other languages, I and You are interchangeable, and you don’t need to worry which pronoun you will use for the person you are talking to. Vietnamese pronouns might be a bit complicated in this case. The grammatical reason for differences in Vietnamese pronouns is due to age, gender, and region.

Vietnamese pronouns

1. I – You

Instead of wondering the translation for I and You in Vietnamese, it is easier to ask yourself: “What is the correct pronoun to refer to the older/younger person in the conversation?”
Let’s take a look at these situations:

I – YouWhen to use
Mình – Bạn or Tá»› – CậuBoth are around the same age
Chị – Em â€œI” is older and female
Em – Chị“I” is younger, “You” is older and female
Anh – Em“I” is older and male
Em – Anh“I” is younger, “You” is older and male

As can be seen from the above table, if ‘You’ are older (than ‘I’) and are female, the correct word is chị. The word for ‘I’ is also chị if ‘I’ were female and older than ‘You’.

Of course, there are more than just these Vietnamese pronouns, to whom and which pronoun you should depend on the age relation between you and the person you are talking to. You would need to use the same pronoun for yourself and the other person. 

I – YouAge relation
Cháu/Con – Cô/BácThe other person is around your parents’ age, but not very old yet. For females.
Cháu/Con – Chú/BácSame as above, but for males.
Cháu/Con – BàThe other person is around your grandparents’ age. For females.
Cháu/Con – ÔngSame as above, but for males.

For example: 
Linh (25 years old), Nam (54 years old)
Linh: Con chào chú Nam. Chú có khoẻ không?
Nam: Chú vẫn khoẻ. Con thế nào?

In this case, if you are Linh, you call yourself Con, and refer Nam as Chú because Nam is around the age of your parent. If you are Nam, you still call yourself Chú, and call Linh Con because Linh is the age of your child. With such relation, the Vietnamese pronouns are fixed for each person. 

2. He/She

The rule for second person pronouns in Vietnamese grammar is quite simple. With the same age relation and gender, you only need to add ấy to the pronoun of the person you are referring to, such as Cô ấy, Anh ấy, Bà ấy, Ông ấy, etc.

It is easier now since you’ve already learnt the Vietnamese pronouns used for specific people.

For example, if you are talking to your friends about a woman who is around the age of your mom, you can say: “Cô ấy thích buôn chuyện lắm.” which means “She loves gossiping.”

Vietnamese pronouns

3. We/They/You (Plural)

Plural pronouns in Vietnamese grammar are not difficult either, as long as you’ve learnt by heart the first person pronouns. 

3.1. We

We = Bọn/Chúng/Bọn + first person pronouns

For example, a group of young people talking to someone who is slightly older and male would call themselves
“Tụi em” (in the Southern region) or “Bọn em” (in the Northern region).

3.2. They 

They = Họ
They = Các + first person pronouns + ấy

For example, if you are talking about a group of workers, you can say: “Họ đang làm việc rất chăm chỉ.” which means, “They are working very hard.”

If you are trying to be more specific with the target that you are referring to, such as a group of students who are younger than you, you can say: “Các em ấy thật tài năng.”, which means “They are so talented.”

3.3. You (Plural) 

You (plural) = Các + first person pronoun

For example, if you are talking to a group of older females, you can say: “Các chị có thấy điện thoại của em không?”, which means “Have you seen my phone?”

How to learn Vietnamese pronouns effectively

Learning Vietnamese pronouns effectively involves understanding their context, practicing regularly, and immersing yourself in the language. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

  1. Understand the Basics: Vietnamese pronouns are based on relationships, age, and social status. Start by learning the most common pronouns like “tôi” (I), “bạn” (you), “anh/chị” (older brother/sister), and “em” (younger sibling).
  2. Context Matters: Practice using pronouns in different contexts. Since pronouns change based on who you’re speaking to, it’s important to learn how to adjust them according to the situation.
  3. Immersion: Surround yourself with native speakers or content. Watch Vietnamese shows, listen to conversations, and note how pronouns are used in real-life situations.
  4. Practice Speaking: Engage in conversations with native speakers or language partners. This will help you become more comfortable and natural in using the correct pronouns.
  5. Flashcards and Apps: Use flashcards or language learning apps to drill pronouns regularly until they become second nature.
  6. Cultural Understanding: Since pronoun usage is tied to cultural norms, learning about Vietnamese culture will help you understand when and how to use each pronoun appropriately.

In conclusion, Vietnamese pronouns are an integral part of the language, reflecting cultural values, social hierarchies, and familial relationships. From personal pronouns to honorifics and demonstratives, each pronoun carries layers of meaning and conveys nuances of respect, affection, and hierarchy. By understanding and mastering Vietnamese pronouns, learners can navigate the intricacies of Vietnamese society and communicate effectively in various social contexts.

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