Speak Vietnamese: 15 Essential Vietnamese Idioms To Learn

Understanding Vietnamese Idioms and Why They Matter

If you want to speak Vietnamese naturally and confidently, mastering idioms is essential. Idioms (thành ngữ) are short, vivid expressions that Vietnamese people use every day to express emotions, describe situations, or share wisdom. They make conversations sound more natural and culturally rich — something you won’t get from textbooks alone.

In Vietnamese, idioms are different from proverbs (tục ngữ). Proverbs often teach moral lessons or general truths, while idioms are used more flexibly in daily life to express attitudes or feelings. For example, the idiom “Đứng núi này trông núi nọ” literally means “standing on one mountain while looking at another,” and it reflects the idea behind the English phrase “The grass is always greener on the other side.”

Learning Vietnamese idioms helps you go beyond literal translation. It allows you to understand the way locals think, speak, and connect in daily life in Vietnam. In short, idioms bridge the gap between language and culture. If your goal is to learn Vietnamese phrases that make your speech sound authentic, idioms are one of the best places to start.

How Using Idioms Helps You Speak Vietnamese Like a Local

If your goal is to speak Vietnamese like a native, learning idioms is one of the most effective ways to get there. Grammar and vocabulary help you form sentences, but idioms bring rhythm, tone, and emotion into your speech — the things that make it sound truly local. Idioms are everywhere in daily life in Vietnam. You’ll hear them in conversations between friends, in TV shows, and even in business meetings. 

Why Idioms Make Your Vietnamese Sound Authentic

1. They reveal cultural context.
   Vietnamese idioms often reflect shared experiences and traditional values. Phrases like “Lá lành đùm lá rách” (“Help those in need”) capture the spirit of community and compassion that defines Vietnamese society. When you use such expressions, you show not just language ability but cultural empathy.
   
2. They make communication smoother.
   Idioms are shortcuts in communication. Instead of explaining an idea in many words, you can use one idiom to express it clearly and memorably. For instance, saying “Sau cơn mưa trời lại sáng” conveys hope after hardship — similar to “After the storm comes the calm.” It’s short, expressive, and easily understood by everyone.
   
3. They build rapport with locals.
   Using idioms in conversation often surprises and delights Vietnamese people. It shows that you’ve gone beyond surface-level learning and truly understand the culture. Many learners notice that after they start using idioms, locals respond more warmly, making interactions smoother and friendships easier to form.
   

Bringing Idioms into Real Conversations

You don’t have to memorize hundreds of idioms to learn Vietnamese phrases effectively. Start small — choose five that you find interesting and practice using them in real contexts. Try slipping them into casual chats with friends, your teacher, or even the barista at your favorite coffee shop.

1. Cha nào con nấy

Translation & equivalent: Like father, like son.

 Example:

• Nam giỏi âm nhạc giống bố, đúng là cha nào con nấy.
  
• Everyone says Nam is musically talented just like his father — truly, like father, like son.

2. Dĩ hòa vi quý

Translation: Harmony is precious.
Equivalent: Peace is priceless.
Example:

• Chuyện nhỏ thôi, cứ dĩ hòa vi quý nhé.
  
• Let’s not argue over small things — peace is priceless.
  

3. Trong cái rủi có cái may

Translation: In bad luck, there’s good fortune.
Equivalent: Every cloud has a silver lining.
Example:

• Mình lỡ chuyến xe nhưng lại gặp bạn cũ lâu không gặp, đúng là trong cái rủi có cái may.
  
• I missed the bus but met an old friend whom I haven’t met for years — every cloud has a silver lining.

4. Có tiền mua tiên cũng được

Translation: With money, you can even buy a fairy.
Equivalent: Money talks.
Example:

• Anh ta giải quyết mọi chuyện bằng tiền, có tiền mua tiên cũng được.
  
• He solved everything with money — money talks.
  

5. Có qua có lại mới toại lòng nhau

Translation: Give and take makes both sides happy.
Equivalent: You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
Example:

• Hôm trước mình giúp anh ấy, giờ anh ấy giúp lại, có qua có lại mới toại lòng nhau.
  
• I helped him last time, now he’s helping me — you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
  

6. Sau cơn mưa trời lại sáng

Translation: After the rain, the sky clears.
Equivalent: After the storm comes the calm.
Example:

• Đừng lo, mọi chuyện sẽ ổn thôi, sau cơn mưa trời lại sáng.
  
• Don’t worry, things will improve — after the storm comes the calm.
  

7. Đứng núi này trông núi nọ

Translation: Standing on one mountain, looking at another.
Equivalent: The grass is always greener on the other side.
Example:

• Cô ấy lúc nào cũng nghĩ công việc khác tốt hơn, đứng núi này trông núi nọ.
  
• She always thinks other jobs are better — the grass is always greener on the other side.
  

8. Của thiên trả địa

Translation: What belongs to heaven must return to earth.
Equivalent: What goes around comes around.
Example:

• Anh ta lừa người khác suốt bao năm, giờ bị quả báo, của thiên trả địa.
  
• He cheated others for years; now it’s catching up to him — what goes around comes around.

9. Dục tốc bất đạt

Translation: Hurry brings failure.
Equivalent: Haste makes waste.
Example:

• Không thể phát âm chuẩn chỉ trong một tuần đâu, dục tốc bất đạt.
  
• You can’t master pronunciation in a week — haste makes waste.
  

10. Nhập gia tùy tục

Translation: When you enter a family, follow their customs.
Equivalent: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Example:

• Ở Việt Nam bạn phải bỏ giày khi vào nhà, nhập gia tùy tục.
  
• You’re in Vietnam now, so you have to take off your shoes indoors — when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
  

11. Xa mặt cách lòng

Translation: Far from the eyes, far from the heart.
Equivalent: Out of sight, out of mind.
Example:

• Từ khi cô ấy ra nước ngoài, tụi mình ít nói chuyện hơn, xa mặt cách lòng.
  
• We stopped talking after she moved abroad — out of sight, out of mind.
  

12. Trăm hay không bằng tay quen

Translation: A hundred theories can’t beat one practice.
Equivalent: Practice makes perfect.
Example:

• Muốn nói tiếng Việt hay thì phải luyện nói — trăm hay không bằng tay quen.
  
• To speak Vietnamese well, you need practice — practice makes perfect.

13. Nói có sách, mách có chứng

Translation: Speak with proof and evidence.
Equivalent: Back up your claims / Show me the proof.
Example:

• Đừng chỉ nói suông, phải có bằng chứng, nói có sách, mách có chứng.
  
• Don’t just make empty claims; you need to back them up with evidence.
  

14. Lời nói gió bay

Translation: Words fly away like the wind.
Equivalent: Actions speak louder than words / Talk is cheap.
Example:

• Đừng hứa suông, lời nói gió bay.
  
• Don’t make empty promises — actions speak louder than words.

15. Lo bò trắng răng

Translation: Worrying that a cow might grow white teeth.
Equivalent: Don’t worry about what hasn’t happened.
Example:

• Đừng nghĩ nhiều quá, chuyện còn chưa xảy ra mà, lo bò trắng răng.
  
• Stop overthinking; it hasn’t happened yet — don’t worry about what hasn’t happened.

These Vietnamese idioms are part of the country’s cultural DNA. When you learn Vietnamese phrases like these, you don’t just build vocabulary — you gain access to a world of humor, wisdom, and warmth that defines daily life in Vietnam.

Tips to Use Vietnamese Idioms Effectively

To speak Vietnamese fluently and use Vietnamese idioms naturally, you need more than memorization — you need practical strategies. Here are proven methods to make idioms part of your daily speech:

1. Use Flashcards and Mind Maps

Create flashcards with the Vietnamese idiom on one side and its literal translation, English equivalent, and example sentence on the other. Review them daily, either on paper or with apps like Anki or Quizlet.
Mind maps are also helpful: group idioms by themes such as patience, perseverance, or gratitude. This visual connection reinforces memory and makes it easier to recall idioms in real conversations.

2. Practice in Real-Life Situations

Try using idioms in your daily interactions, whether at markets, cafés, or language exchanges. 

Applying idioms in real-life contexts not only improves your vocabulary but also builds confidence in speaking Vietnamese naturally.

3. Learn With Language Partners or Teachers

Practice with Vietnamese teachers or language partners. Ask for real-life examples and role-play common situations in Vietnam, using idioms.
This approach helps you understand nuances, tone, and context — key for speaking Vietnamese fluently.

4. Watch Vietnamese Media

Films, TV shows, and YouTube channels expose you to idioms used naturally by locals. Listening and repeating improve pronunciation, comprehension, and contextual usage.

5. Be Consistent and Patient

Language learning takes time. Use idioms regularly in conversation, and don’t worry about mistakes — locals often appreciate the effort and will guide you. Regular practice will make your Vietnamese richer and more authentic.

Conclusion: Take Your Vietnamese to the Next Level

Mastering Vietnamese idioms is a powerful way to speak Vietnamese naturally and connect with locals. At Vietnamese Language Studies (VLS), you can take your skills further by:

• Learning essential Vietnamese phrases and idioms in real-life contexts
  
• Practicing conversations with experienced teachers to gain confidence
  
• Building the ability to communicate naturally in daily life in Vietnam

Start by picking 3–5 idioms from this article and using them in your conversations this week. Then, explore VLS’s courses designed for expats and international learners to continue improving your Vietnamese. Small, consistent steps, combined with real practice, will help you speak Vietnamese fluently and immerse yourself in the culture.