{"id":3034,"date":"2024-07-26T15:07:23","date_gmt":"2024-07-26T06:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.dev.vietcafe-learning.com\/material\/?p=3034"},"modified":"2024-07-31T13:56:39","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T04:56:39","slug":"grammar3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.dev.vietcafe-learning.com\/material\/grammar3\/","title":{"rendered":"Grammar3: Composition of Word"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this lesson, we will learn about the composition and pronunciation of Vietnamese words.<\/p>\n

Composition of Words<\/strong><\/span>
\nVietnamese words are basically one syllable each. A syllable is a unit of sound pronounced as a cohesive whole, and it has the structure illustrated in the diagram below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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 <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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\u2463Optional tone<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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 <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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\u2460Optional initial consonant<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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\u2461Compulsory vowel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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\u2462Optional ending consonant<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

(Above diagram) Structure of a Syllable<\/p>\n

Note: When writing Vietnamese, tones are generally marked above the vowels, so make an effort to remember the diagram above!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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The simplest word contains only one vowel, but there are other patterns as follows:<\/p>\n

\u00f4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u3010Vowel only\u3011<\/strong> (Meaning: umbrella)<\/p>\n

\u1ed1m \u3010Vowel + Ending Consonant + Tone\u3011<\/strong> (Meaning: to catch a cold)<\/p>\n

b\u1ed1\u00a0 \u3010Initial Consonant + Vowel + Tone\u3011<\/strong> (Meaning: father (Northern))<\/p>\n

tr\u1ed3ng \u3010Initial Consonant + Vowel + Ending Consonant + Tone\u3011<\/strong> (Meaning: to plant)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Furthermore, above is just a simple example, but actually, as shown in the table below, there are more combinations involving vowels with other vowels, and vowels + ending consonants.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

How should it be pronounced?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0As mentioned before, since Vietnamese words are pronounced as a single cohesive sound, you can correctly pronounce any word by pronouncing each part in the following order:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\u3010\u2460 Initial Consonant + \u2461 Vowel or \u2461 Vowel + \u2462 Ending Consonant\u3011+ \u2463 Tone<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example: \u2460 b\u00e0: b + a + tone (huy\u1ec1n) \u2192 b\u00e0 (meaning: grandma)<\/p>\n

\u2461 bu\u1ed3n: b + u\u00f4n + tone (huy\u1ec1n) \u2192 bu\u1ed3n (meaning: sad)<\/p>\n

\u2462 l\u01b0\u01a1ng: l + \u01b0\u01a1ng \u2192 l\u01b0\u01a1ng (meaning: salary)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Some might find Vietnamese word structure complex, but in comparison to other languages, Vietnamese words are actually very short and easy to remember. And, With the combination of 12 vowels, 17 consonants, and 6 tones, you can write any Vietnamese word without needing to fully understand its meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n

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