The six tones
Vietnamese changes meaning with pitch. Every syllable carries one of six tones, and the mark on the vowel tells you which.
Same letters, six different words
How to read each mark
- aLevelngang · No markFlat and steady, at a comfortable height.
- àFallinghuyềnStarts mid-low and drifts down, relaxed.
- áRisingsắcSharp rise, like asking “really?”
- ảDippinghỏiDips down, then curves back up.
- ãBroken risengãRises with a catch in the throat.
- ạHeavy dropnặngShort and low, pressed down and cut off.