SENTENCES YOU SHOULD AVOID IN VIETNAMESE FOR FOREIGNERS

1. Speaking too bluntly 

“Cho tôi cái này đi!” This sentence is grammatically correct, but it sounds quite rude in Vietnamese. In daily communication, Vietnamese people value softness and politeness, not just correctness. 

Saying “Cho tôi cái này đi!” can make it seem like you’re giving an order, especially when speaking to strangers, service staff, or older people. This can easily make others feel uncomfortable. 

Instead, try: 

• “Cho tôi cái này được không?”
• “Làm ơn cho tôi cái này nhé” 
• “Tôi có thể lấy cái này không?” 

Just adding a few small words makes your sentence much friendlier.

2. Using the wrong pronouns 

In Vietnamese, you can’t use “bạn” for everyone. Pronouns change depending on age, relationship, and context. 

For example: 

• Use anh, chị, cô, chú, bác for older people 
• Use em for younger people 
• With friends, you can use their name or bạn 

Using the wrong pronoun can sound disrespectful, even if your sentence is grammatically correct. That’s why pronouns are one of the most important parts of learning Vietnamese. 

Tip: If you’re not sure, anh/chị is usually a safe choice.

3. Not using polite particles (“ạ”, “dạ”, “nhé”) 

• “Cho tôi nước” or “Cho tôi nước đi” 
• “Cho tôi nước nhé” or “Cho tôi nước đi ạ” 

These two sentences are similar in meaning, but very different in tone. 

“Cho tôi nước” sounds direct and can feel like a command, especially when ordering food or speaking to someone older. 

Adding a small word like “ạ” makes it much more polite and respectful. Words like ạ, dạ, nhé, nha are essential in Vietnamese because they completely change how a sentence feels. 

Try to build the habit of using these, they make you sound much more natural and likable.

4. Being too direct 
Being too direct in Vietnamese can make others feel uncomfortable, even if what you say is correct. 

For example: 

• “Bạn sai rồi” ❌ 
• “Cái này sai rồi” ❌ 

Vietnamese people often prefer softer, more indirect expressions to maintain harmony.

Better alternatives: 

• “Tôi nghĩ cái này chưa đúng lắm.” 
• “Có lẽ chúng ta nên kiểm tra lại cái này.” 
• “Có lẽ phần này vẫn chưa chính xác lắm.”

5. Asking personal questions 

In Vietnam, questions like “Bạn bao nhiêu tuổi (How old are you?)”, “Bạn làm được bao nhiêu tiền? (How much do you earn?)”, or “Bạn có bạn trai/ bạn gái chưa? (Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?)” are quite common and often meant to be friendly, not rude. 

However, as a foreigner, you should avoid asking these questions first, especially when you’ve just met someone. They can feel too personal in many cultures. 

A better approach is to: 

• Wait until you know the person better 
• Let Vietnamese people ask first 
• Answer politely or vaguely if you’re not comfortable 

In short: These questions are normal in Vietnam, but it’s safer not to ask them first. 

Learning Vietnamese isn’t just about vocabulary and grammar, it’s about communication and culture. A small change in how you speak can make a big difference! 

So don’t just speak correctly, learn to speak appropriately. Observe, listen, and practice! That's how you connect naturally in Vietnamese. 

If you’d like to learn this in a practical, real-life way, join our Vietnamese classes! 

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Email: hvajlanguages@gmail.com