Why Themed Vocabulary Lists Work Better
Learning random words from a dictionary is slow and forgettable. Research in language acquisition consistently shows that grouping vocabulary by topic or situation helps your brain form stronger connections — making words easier to remember and use in real conversations.
Below are 60 essential words divided into five everyday categories. Each section includes the word, its Vietnamese meaning, and a short example sentence.
1. At Home (Ở Nhà) — 12 Words
| English | Vietnamese | Example Sentence |
|---|
| landlord | chủ nhà | My landlord fixed the broken door. |
| appliance | thiết bị điện | The kitchen has all new appliances. |
| receipt | biên lai | Keep your receipt for the payment. |
| utility bill | hóa đơn tiện ích | The utility bill includes water and electricity. |
| lease | hợp đồng thuê | We signed a one-year lease. |
| neighbour | hàng xóm | Our neighbours are very friendly. |
2. Food & Restaurants (Ăn Uống) — 12 Words
| English | Vietnamese | Example Sentence |
|---|
| appetiser | món khai vị | We ordered spring rolls as an appetiser. |
| portion | khẩu phần | The portion size was very generous. |
| dietary | chế độ ăn | Do you have any dietary restrictions? |
| takeaway | đồ ăn mang về | I'll get a takeaway tonight. |
| bill | hóa đơn | Could we have the bill, please? |
| gluten-free | không chứa gluten | She needs gluten-free options. |
3. Transport (Giao Thông) — 12 Words
| English | Vietnamese | Example Sentence |
|---|
| departure | khởi hành | The departure time is 8:30 AM. |
| terminal | nhà ga / terminal | Go to Terminal 2 for your flight. |
| fare | giá vé | The bus fare is very affordable. |
| transfer | chuyển tuyến | You need to transfer at this station. |
| delay | trễ / hoãn | Our train was delayed by 20 minutes. |
| boarding pass | thẻ lên máy bay | Please show your boarding pass at the gate. |
4. Shopping (Mua Sắm) — 12 Words
| English | Vietnamese | Example Sentence |
|---|
| discount | giảm giá | There's a 30% discount this weekend. |
| exchange | đổi hàng | Can I exchange this for a larger size? |
| out of stock | hết hàng | Sorry, that item is out of stock. |
| warranty | bảo hành | The phone comes with a one-year warranty. |
| bargain | món hời / mặc cả | I found a real bargain at the market. |
| checkout | thanh toán / quầy tính tiền | Please proceed to the checkout counter. |
5. Health (Sức Khỏe) — 12 Words
| English | Vietnamese | Example Sentence |
|---|
| prescription | đơn thuốc | The doctor gave me a prescription. |
| symptom | triệu chứng | What are your main symptoms? |
| appointment | cuộc hẹn khám | I have a doctor's appointment at 3 PM. |
| dosage | liều lượng | Take the correct dosage as directed. |
| allergy | dị ứng | I have an allergy to penicillin. |
| insurance | bảo hiểm | Does your insurance cover this treatment? |
Tips for Remembering These Words
- Use flashcards: Apps like Anki let you review words using spaced repetition.
- Make sentences about your real life: Instead of "The fare is cheap," write "The fare from Hà Nội to Hồ Chí Minh is expensive."
- Practise in context: Next time you're at a restaurant or shopping, try to think of the English words for what you see.
- Review in batches: Study one category per day and revise the previous day's words before starting new ones.
