Numbers are the universal language of commerce, travel, and everyday life. Whether you’re bargaining at a bustling market in Hanoi or ordering a delicious bowl of phở, understanding Vietnamese numbers is essential for navigating Vietnam with confidence. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to master Vietnamese numbers, transforming you from a bewildered tourist to a conversationally capable explorer.
1. Building the Foundation: Counting from One to Ten
Vietnamese utilizes a decimal system, similar to English. Here’s your starter pack for counting from one to ten in Vietnamese:
Practice these numbers with a spaced repetition app or by writing them down and saying them aloud. Mastering these fundamentals will be the building block for understanding larger numbers.
2. Expanding Your Repertoire: Tackling Numbers Beyond Ten
Counting beyond ten in Vietnamese follows a logical pattern. Here’s how to break down numbers between eleven and nineteen:
Eleven to Nineteen: The word for “ten” (mười) acts as a prefix, followed by the number for the units digit.
11 – Mười một (mwee mot) – literally “ten one”
12 – Mười hai (mwee hī) – literally “ten two”
13 – Mười ba (mwee ba) – literally “ten three”
Twenty and Above: Here, things get slightly more complex but still systematic. We introduce the concept of “tens place.”
The tens place value is indicated by the corresponding us phone number list number followed by “mươi” (modified for tens places other than ten).
Finally, add the units digit if present.
20 – Hai mươi (hī mwee) – literally “two ten”
34 – Ba mươi bốn (ba mwee bon) – literally “three ten four”
57 – Năm mươi bảy (num mwee bai) – literally “five ten seven”
Pro Tip: In casual conversation, the word “mươi” (ten) for tens places might be omitted for numbers between 21 and 99. So, “ba mươi bốn” (thirty-four) might be spoken simply as “ba bốn” (three four) in everyday situations.
3. Conquering Larger Numbers: Hundreds, Thousands, and Beyond
Now that you’ve grasped the basics, let’s conquer SNBD Host larger numbers. Here’s how to handle hundreds, thousands, and beyond:
- Hundreds: The word for “hundred” (trăm) follows the number.
- 100 – Một trăm (mot tram) – literally “one hundred”
- 200 – Hai trăm (hī tram) – literally “two hundred”
- Thousands: The word for “thousand” (ngàn) follows the number.
- 1,000 – Một ngàn (mot ngàn) – literally “one thousand”
- 2,000 – Hai ngàn (hī ngàn) – literally “two thousand”
Following this pattern, you can build any number you encounter in Vietnam. For example, 3,542 would be “Ba nghìn năm trăm bốn mươi hai” (ba ngàn num tram bon mươi hī) – literally “three thousand five hundred forty two.”
Bonus Tip: Numbers like “một trăm linh một” (mot tram linh mot) literally meaning “one hundred zero one” can be used for 101. This usage is less common but good to be aware of.
By mastering these steps, you’ll be able to confidently navigate situations like asking for directions, bargaining at markets, or ordering food.