Foundations
Sounds & tones (Saigon)
3 lessons · ~48 min theme · each lesson 10–20 min · pack to your day in Settings
Six marks, five sounds
~15 minVietnamese writes six tone marks. In Saigon speech, hỏi and ngã sound the same. Train your ear on five shapes, not six.
- ma — ghost (level) · ngang
- mà — but (low falling) · huyền
- má — mom (high rising) — Southern · sắc
- mả — grave (dip-rise) · hỏi
- mã — horse / code — say like hỏi in the South · ngã
- mạ — rice seedling (low heavy) · nặng
Listen cues
- Play má vs mà — which rises?
- Play mả and mã — they should match in Southern TTS
Speak
- Say the set: ma mà má mả mã mạ
- Say: Dạ, con chào má.
Quiz
Family hello (meeting parents seed)
~18 minWith her parents, you are con. Greet with chào and answer with dạ.
- Con chào ba. — I (child) greet dad.
- Con chào má. — I (child) greet mom.
- Dạ, con khỏe. — Yes (polite), I’m well.
Listen cues
- Hear male vs female SG voices on Con chào ba/má.
Speak
- Con chào ba.
- Con chào má.
- Dạ, con khỏe.
Quiz
Tap the rising tone
~15 minNo typing — tap what you hear in your head. Sắc rises in the South; huyền falls. Pick by meaning, not by typing Vietnamese.
- má — mom — high rising · sắc
- mà — but — low falling · huyền
- dạ — polite yes — heavy / short · nặng
Listen cues
- Imagine má (mom) vs mà (but) — only one rises
- Imagine dạ — short and settled, not rising
Speak
- má
- mà
- dạ
- Dạ, má.
Quiz