1. Compare ages
Someone clearly older than you is anh (man) or chị (woman); someone younger is em.
Việt Connect › Vietnamese pronouns
Vietnamese grammar basics
Vietnamese pronouns explained: how to say “I” and “you”
Learn why Vietnamese has so many words for “you”, how to pick the right one, and which pronouns are safe when you are unsure.
The key idea: Vietnamese has no single word for “you”. You pick a pronoun based on the other person’s age and your relationship, using family words like anh, chị and em. When unsure, bạn (peers) or the polite anh/chị are safe starting points.
The most useful pronouns
| Word | Meaning and use |
|---|---|
| tôi | I (neutral, polite) |
| mình | I / we — friendly; also “you” between close friends or couples |
| bạn | you — friends and peers your age |
| anh | older brother; a man a bit older than you |
| chị | older sister; a woman a bit older than you |
| em | younger sibling; someone younger than you |
| cô | aunt (father’s sister); female teacher; a young woman |
| chú | uncle (father’s younger brother); a man around your parents’ age |
| bác | a parent’s older sibling; a respectful word for people older than your parents |
| ông | grandfather; an elderly man |
| bà | grandmother; an elderly woman |
| con | child; also what children call their parents |
| cháu | grandchild; niece or nephew — used with older relatives and elders |
How to choose
2. Think of family
Pronouns borrow family roles. A friend’s parent is often cô, chú or bác, and an elderly stranger is ông or bà.
3. Match each other
If you call someone anh, you usually call yourself em. Pairs go together: anh–em, chị–em, cô–cháu.
Examples
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| Chào anh! | Hello! (to a man a bit older) |
| Chào chị, chị khỏe không? | Hello, how are you? (to a woman a bit older) |
| Em tên là Lan. | My name is Lan. (a younger speaker, to an older person) |
| Bạn đến từ đâu? | Where are you from? (to a peer) |
| Cháu chào bác ạ. | Hello. (a young person greeting an older person respectfully) |
Practise choosing the right word
Việt Connect teaches pronouns inside real situations — greetings, family, markets and taxis — and the guided role-plays show which form fits each speaker. Flashcards and the quiz help the pairs stick.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “you” in Vietnamese?
There is no single word. Use bạn for peers, anh for an older man, chị for an older woman, em for someone younger, and cô, chú, bác, ông or bà for older people, depending on age and relationship.
Is “bạn” rude?
No. “Bạn” is a normal, polite way to address a peer or someone whose age you do not know, especially in writing and in international settings.
How do I say “I” in Vietnamese?
“Tôi” is the neutral, polite “I”. Among friends people often say “mình”, and family words such as “em” or “con” are used when speaking to someone older.
Why do pronouns change so much?
Vietnamese uses family relationships to show respect, so the pronoun tells the listener how you see their age and role.