Prepositions

Vietnamese Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Vietnamese like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Vietnamese Classes.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Below is a list of 27 prepositions that you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Vietnamese, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Prepositions List in Vietnamese

Prepositions Vietnamese Audio
In front oftrước mặt
Behindphía sau
Beforetrước khi
Aftersau
Insidebên trong
Withvới
Withoutmà không cần
Outsidebên ngoài
On top oftrên đầu của
Underbên dưới
About (in regards to)về (liên quan đến)
Againstchống lại
And
As (similar to)như (tương tự)
Betweengiữa
Butnhưng
Forcho
Fromtừ
Introng
Instead ofthay vì
Neargần
Ofcủa
OrHoặc
Sincekể từ
SoVì vậy
Tođến
Untilcho đến khi

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full Vietnamese sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

Vietnamese Prepositions in a Sentence

English Vietnamese Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?Tôi có thể luyện tập tiếng Ý với bạn không?
I speak French but with an accentTôi nói tiếng Pháp nhưng với một ngữ điệu
I was born in MiamiTôi sinh ra ở Miami
I'm from JapanTôi đến từ Nhật Bản
The letter is inside the bookLá thư ở bên trong quyển sách
The pen is under the deskChiếc bút đang ở dưới bàn
Directions
Can I help you?Tôi có thể giúp bạn được không?

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me If you simply want to ask a question, please Vietnamese contact form on the header above.

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in Vietnamese

Directions Vietnamese Audio
Can you help me?Bạn có thể giúp tôi được không?
Can you show me?Bạn có thể chỉ cho tôi không?
Come with me!Đi với tôi!
Downtown (city center)khu thương mại (trung tâm thành phố)
Excuse me! (to ask someone)Xin lỗi! (để hỏi một ai đó)
Go straightĐi thẳng
How can I get to the museum? Tôi có thể đi đường nào để đến viện bảo tàng?
How long does it take to get there?Từ đây đến đó mất bao lâu?
I'm lostTôi bị lạc đường
I'm not from hereTôi không phải người ở đây
It's far from hereChỗ đó xa đây lắm
It's near hereChỗ đó gần đây thôi
One moment please!Đợi một chút!
Turn leftRẽ trái
Turn rightRẽ phải
FarXa
Heređây
LeftBên trái
RightBên phải
NearGần
StraightThẳng
Theređó
To drivelái xe
To turnrẽ
To walkđi bộ
Traffic lightđèn tín hiệu giao thông
TransportationPhương tiện vận chuyển

Daily Conversation in Vietnamese

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Vietnamese. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Vietnamese Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Vietnamese

English Vietnamese Audio
Do you speak English?Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không?
Just a littleChỉ một chút thôi
What's your name?Tên bạn là gì?
My name is (John Doe)Tên tôi là (John Doe)
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...Ông.... / Bà... / Cô...
Nice to meet you!Rất hân hạnh được gặp bạn!
You're very kind!Bạn thật tốt bụng!

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Vietnamese about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Vietnamese Lesson 5. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Vietnamese homepage.