Language/Vietnamese/Vocabulary/Drinks

Vietnamese Vocabulary - Drinks

Hi Vietnamese learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about common beverages and drinks that you might come across when traveling or living in Vietnam. Drinking culture is an important part of Vietnamese life and socializing, so it is essential that you know the words to order and appreciate drinks.

Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Seasons, Nature and Environment, City & Days of the week.

Beverages

Vietnamese people love to drink a variety of beverages such as tea and coffee. Not only do these drinks provide refreshment, but they also have health benefits. Vietnamese tea is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals while Vietnamese coffee is known for its bold and robust flavors.

Below are some common beverages in Vietnam:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Trà	[tʂâ]	Tea
Cà phê	[kafɛ]	Coffee
Nước ép	[nuək ɛp]	Juice
Nước chanh	[nuək tɕan]	Lemonade
Nước mía	[nuək miə]	Sugarcane juice

Ordering at a coffee shop

Vietnamese coffee culture is unique and famous around the world. When you visit Vietnam, it is a must-try. Sometimes, ordering at a coffee shop can be overwhelming because there are so many options! Here are some basic coffee orders to get you started:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Cà phê đen	[kafɛ dɛn]	Black coffee
Cà phê sữa đá	[kafɛ sɨwa ɗa]	Iced coffee with condensed milk
Cà phê phin	[kafɛ fɨn]	Drip coffee

• At a coffee shop:

Person 1: Cho tôi một cốc cà phê đen, xin cảm ơn. (One cup of black coffee, please. Thank you.) Person 2: Điểm danh không, anh/chị? (For here or to go, sir/madam?) Person 1: Cho tôi lấy mang đi, xin cảm ơn. (To go, please. Thank you.)

Tea culture in Vietnam

Tea is also an important beverage in Vietnamese culture. It is drunk on various occasions such as weddings, funerals, and when receiving guests. There are many different types of tea, but the most commonly drunk ones are green tea and lotus tea.

The preparation and serving of tea is an art in Vietnam. Typically, the host prepares the tea and pours it into small cups for the guests. The guests then take the cup with both hands and say "cám ơn" (thank you) or "vô" (yes, please).

Below are some common tea orders in Vietnam:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Trà xanh	[tʂâ zan]	Green tea
Trà sen	[tʂâ sɛn]	Lotus tea
Trà atisô	[tʂâ ati'sɔ]	Artichoke tea

• At a restaurant:

Person 1: Cho tôi một ly trà sen, xin cảm ơn. (One cup of lotus tea, please. Thank you.) Person 2: Tôi mang cho anh/chị trà sen, xin vui lòng chờ đợi. (I'll bring you the lotus tea, please wait.)

Alcoholic drinks

Alcohol consumption is also a significant part of Vietnamese social culture. However, it is important to note that public drunkenness is not acceptable, and moderation is key. When you are out drinking, it is customary to say "zô" (cheers) before taking a sip.

Below are some common alcoholic drinks:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Bia	[ɓja]	Beer
Rượu vang	[jɯəu vaŋ]	Wine
Rượu nếp	[jɯəu nɛp]	Glutinous rice wine
Rượu đế	[jɯəu ɗɛ]	Vietnamese rice wine

• At a bar:

Person 1: Cho tôi một chai rượu vang, xin cảm ơn. (One bottle of wine, please. Thank you.) Person 2: Để tôi mang rượu vang cho anh/chị, xin vui lòng chờ đợi. (Let me bring you the wine, please wait.)

Remember, drinking should be a fun and enjoyable experience, but it is important to be responsible and respectful.

To improve your Vietnamese Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions about Vietnamese culture and language!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Other Lessons

• Food
• Saying Goodbye
• Count from 1 to 10
• Months of the year
• Animals
• Idiomatic Expressions
• Numbers
• Family
• Seasons
• Vegetables

Sources

• Drink vocabulary in Vietnamese
• 9 Ways To Say Cheers In Vietnamese When Drinking - Ling App
• drink | Vietnamese translation - Cambridge Dictionary