Syllable Structure • Lesson 1 • Level 1
Initial Consonants
The 22 Sounds That Start Vietnamese Syllables
Every Vietnamese syllable can start with one of 22 consonant sounds. Some are spelled with single letters (b, c, d), others with digraphs (ch, ng, th). This lesson covers all of them with pronunciation guides and examples.
What Are Initial Consonants?
Initials are the consonant sounds that can begin a syllable. In Vietnamese, you have 22 options—but initials are optional. Syllables can start directly with a vowel:
With initial:
bà(grandmother) = b + à
má(mother) = m + á
thương(love) = th + ương
No initial (vowel-initial):
ăn(eat) = ăn (no consonant)
ơi(hey!) = ơi (no consonant)
úa(wilted) = úa (no consonant)
The Complete 22 Initial Consonants
Below is every possible initial consonant in Vietnamese, grouped by how they're pronounced. Each includes:
- Spelling — how it's written
- IPA — International Phonetic Alphabet (for linguists)
- English approximation — closest English sound
- Vietnamese examples — real words using this initial
- Regional variations — North vs. South differences
1. Stop Consonants (Plosives)
Consonants where airflow is completely stopped, then released
Pronunciation: Implosive "b" — like English "b" but with air pulled inward slightly. Your lips close, air is sucked in, then released.
Examples:
ba(three; father)
bà(grandmother)
bán(sell)
bò(cow)
bút(pen)
bưu điện(post office)
Regional: Northern speakers use true implosive [ɓ]. Southern speakers often use regular [b] like English.
Pronunciation: Like "k" in "kite" or "c" in "cat". Unvoiced velar stop.
Examples:
cà phê(coffee)
cá(fish)
cơm(rice)
có(have)
của(of; belongs to)
cũ(old)
Note: "c" and "k" represent the same sound. Use "c" before most vowels, "k" before i/e/ê (see "k" below).
Pronunciation: Northern: like "ch" in German "ich" (soft, palatal). Southern: like "ch" in English "church".
Examples:
cha(father)
chào(hello)
chó(dog)
chị(older sister)
chúng ta(we)
chợ(market)
Regional: Big difference! North = soft "ich" sound. South = "church" sound. Both correct.
Pronunciation: Northern: like "z" in "zoo". Southern: like "y" in "yes".
Examples:
da(skin)
dạy(teach)
dễ(easy)
dùng(use)
dưa(melon)
dượng(uncle (mom's side))
Regional: North "zoo", South "yes". Southern "d" merges with "gi" and "r".
Pronunciation: Implosive "d" — like English "d" in "dog" but with slight inward airflow. The crossbar distinguishes it from "d".
Examples:
đã(already)
đầu(head)
đi(go)
đó(that)
đường(road; sugar)
đẹp(beautiful)
Important: "đ" and "d" are different letters with different sounds. Don't confuse them!
Pronunciation: Soft "g" like Spanish "g" in "agua". NOT like English hard "g" in "go". Used only before "a", "o", "u", "ă", "â", "ô", "ơ", "ư".
Examples:
gà(chicken)
gạo(rice (uncooked))
gọi(call)
gửi(send)
gấp(urgent)
gương(mirror)
Spelling rule: Before "i", "e", "ê", use "gh" instead: ghi(write), ghế(chair)
Pronunciation: Same as "c" — like "k" in "kite". Used only before "i", "e", "ê".
Examples:
kẻ(person (derogatory))
kéo(pull; scissors)
kể(tell; narrate)
khi(when)
kỷ niệm(memory; anniversary)
kỳ(strange; period)
Spelling rule: "c" and "k" are the same sound, but "k" appears only before i/e/ê. Elsewhere, use "c".
Pronunciation: Like "t" in "top". Unvoiced alveolar stop.
Examples:
tạ(thank)
tay(hand)
tên(name)
tôi(I (formal))
tủ(cabinet)
từ(from; word)