18 Words to Make You Fall in Love with the Vietnamese Language
![Vietnam (c) Davidiohr Bueso/Flickr](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/4674755968_85fcae7210_b.webp)
Learning Vietnamese is not a speedy process, due to the complexity of its six tones and twelve vowels. But it can be as beautiful as it is challenging. Here are 18 words to persuade you how beautiful, charming, diverse and funny the language can be.
ƠI
Pronounce it like this: Oi
![Ơi-Hey](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-2.webp)
YÊU
Pronounce it like this: Eew
![Yêu-Love](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-5.webp)
NHỚ
Pronounce it like this: Nho
![Nhớ-Miss](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-6.webp)
LỆ
Pronounce it like this: Like “les” in French, with a silent ‘s’
![Lệ-Teardrops](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-4.webp)
QUÁ
Pronounce it like this: Q-woaa
![Quá-Too much](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-10.webp)
NHÉ
Pronounce it like this: Nh-eee
![Nhé-endearing](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say.webp)
ĐI
Pronounce it like this: D (like the letter)
![Đi-Please](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-9.webp)
THƯƠNG
Pronounce it like this: Thuong
![Thương-Compassionate affection](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-3.webp)
CHẾT LIỀN
Pronounce it like this: Ch-et lii-en
![Chết liền-Die](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-13.webp)
CƠM MUỐI
Pronounce it like this: Com mu-oi
![Cơm muối-Blessing](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-12.webp)
TRẺ TRÂU
Pronounce it like this: Tr-e tr-ow
![Trẻ trâu-Childish](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-11.webp)
ẦU Ơ
Pronounce it like this: Ow er
![Ầu ơ-Lullaby](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-14.webp)
BÓ TAY
Pronounce it like this: Bo tay
![Bó tay-Give up](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-7.webp)
DẠ
Pronounce it like this: Zaaa
![Dạ-Yes](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-8.webp)
THƯƠNG
Pronounce it like this: Th-uong
![Thương-More than love](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-15.webp)
ẤY
Pronounce it like this: Eiii
![Ấy-Implying](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-16.webp)
DUYÊN
Pronounce it like this: Z-uen
![Duyên-Charm](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-17.webp)
BUÔNG
Pronounce it like this: Buong
![Buông-Let go](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/in-vietnamese-we-say-1.webp)