Vietnamese · BeginnerĐi chọn quà tặng bạnBuying a Gift

Follow along

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00:00Intro
Hello Mai! Today, you look very cheerful.
Hello Nam! Today, I have some very happy news.
What is it, Mai? Tell Nam about it!
This afternoon, I just went to buy a birthday gift for my best friend.
What a coincidence! Yesterday, Nam also went to buy a gift for a friend.
Buying gifts for others always makes us feel happy.
That is right! But when looking for items, Nam was very indecisive.
Standing in front of many items, anyone would find it hard to decide.
Exactly! Not knowing what our friend likes, and what they need.
Therefore, today's lesson will help you all a lot.
A topic that is very familiar, and essential every day.
We will learn together 6 very familiar Vietnamese phrases.
What is the most important phrase today, Mai?
That is the phrase: choose a gift.
Chọn quà means: pick a gift.
That is right! When shopping, everyone needs to pick gifts skillfully.
So what about the next 5 phrases, my friend?
The second phrase is: wrap the gift nicely.
Gói quà thật đẹp means: wrap the gift nicely.
The third phrase is: write a greeting card.
Viết thiệp chúc mừng means: write a greeting card.
The fourth phrase is: give a gift with both hands.
Tặng quà bằng hai tay means: give a gift with both hands.
The fifth phrase is: open the gift box.
Mở hộp quà ra means: open the gift box.
And the sixth phrase is: really like this gift.
Rất thích món quà này means: really like this gift.
All 6 of these phrases, you will use many times.
In a moment, Nam will tell the story of looking for gifts yesterday.
Did Nam encounter something funny in the store again?
That is right! Nam stood looking at items for nearly an hour.
Mai will also share the lovely customs when giving gifts.
There are also cultural taboos when giving gifts, right?
Exactly! There are items that Vietnamese people never give each other.
I am so curious! Let us get started right away!
Now, Nam will tell yesterday's story for Mai to hear.
Of course! Let us hear it from the beginning, Nam.
Yesterday afternoon, Nam went to a gift shop on Pho Hue.
Pho Hue in Hanoi has many lovely shops.
That is right! The store has a lot of beautiful items.
Who did Nam want to buy a gift for?
Nam wanted to buy a birthday gift for Huy, a Vietnamese classmate.
Huy who studies with us? He is very gentle and kind.
Right! Nam wanted to find a gift that is both nice and meaningful.
So Nam entered the store, and what gift did you choose?
When stepping inside, Nam felt completely dazzled.
The store displays too many items, right Nam?
Exactly! There are notebooks, pens, ceramic mugs, and teddy bears.
All of them are items very familiar to young people.
Nam picked up a sea-blue ceramic mug to look at.
Did that mug look pretty, Nam?
The mug is very pretty, but Nam feared Huy already has many mugs.
Thinking like that is reasonable, everyone already has mugs.
After that, Nam saw a grey neck scarf.
A neck scarf is a very warm item, isn't it?
But right now it is summer, Hanoi weather is very hot!
Haha! Giving a scarf in summer is too strange, Nam!
Right! Thinking about the moment Huy opens it, Nam found it funny.
So Nam put the scarf back down, right?
That is right! Nam stood hesitating for a long time, not knowing what to buy.
At that time, was there anyone helping Nam?
Luckily, a store clerk walked up close to Nam.
How did the clerk ask Nam?
She asked: Are you looking for a gift for a male or female friend?
Asking like that makes it very easy to find suitable items.
Nam said: I want to find a birthday gift for a male classmate.
Then what item did the clerk suggest to Nam?
She showed Nam a small box of lotus tea, and a leather notebook.
Oh, Hanoi lotus tea is so fragrant, delicious, and precious!
The leather notebook in forest green is also very elegant.
Those two items go together very nicely, Nam!
Right! Nam decided to choose the lotus tea and the notebook as the gift.
A very polite gift, and usable every day.
After finishing the purchase, Nam felt relieved and very happy.
Speaking of this, Mai will share about the beauty of gift-giving.
What gift-giving customs do Vietnamese people have?
When visiting friends' homes, Vietnamese people often bring small gifts.
Small gifts, like what kinds of things, Mai?
Usually a basket of fresh fruits, or a nice box of cookies.
Right! Fresh, cool fruits, everyone in the family can enjoy.
Or a pack of good tea, for the host to brew for guests.
Elders in Vietnam truly value a fragrant pot of tea.
And Vietnamese people have a very lovely gesture when giving gifts.
What is that beautiful gesture, Mai?
That is always giving and receiving items with both hands.
Giving with both hands shows respect and politeness, right?
Exactly! Whether the gift is big or small, offering with two hands is always good.
Young people giving gifts to elders need even more to use two hands.
Precisely! That is a lovely manner in everyday interactions.
What about taboos when giving gifts, Mai?
Vietnamese people have a few items they usually avoid giving.
Which items? Tell Nam so I can know too.
First, Vietnamese people usually avoid giving handkerchiefs.
Why avoid giving handkerchiefs, Mai?
Handkerchiefs are used to wipe sweat and wipe tears.
Ah! Handkerchiefs evoke sadness and parting, right?
That is right! Gifting a handkerchief makes people think of sad things.
Nam understands now, from now on, Nam won't give handkerchiefs.
Second, people avoid gifting knives, scissors, or sharp objects.
Because sharp objects carry the meaning of cutting friendships?
You guessed very accurately! Sharp objects bring feelings of bad luck.
What about the color of gift wrapping paper, my friend?
Vietnamese people really favor red, yellow, and bright pink.
Red and yellow symbolize good luck and happiness!
Exactly! Avoid using plain black or plain white wrapping paper.
The things Mai just shared are truly helpful and interesting!
Knowing these things, we will choose gifts much more tactfully.
Right! Giving gifts properly makes everyone feel happy.
The recipient feels happy, and the giver also feels warmly touched.
That is right! Gift giving is a culture very worthy of cherish.
Now, let us chat more deeply about the remaining 5 phrases.
Nam really likes the second phrase of the lesson: wrap the gift nicely.
After choosing the item, wrapping the gift is also very important.
A carefully wrapped gift shows the giver is very thoughtful.
Right! Choosing bright paper, adding a cute little ribbon bow.
Looking at a pretty gift box, the recipient will feel happy from the start.
Wrapping gifts with one's own hands is also a great joy.
Right! The feeling of taping each edge and attaching each bow is fun.
When wrapping gifts ourselves, we put a lot of affection into it.
That is right! A self-wrapped gift always has its own lovely touch.
The third phrase is also very warm: write a greeting card.
Writing a greeting card is a way to convey sincere feelings.
What words does Nam usually write in a greeting card?
Nam often writes: Wishing you a happy birthday, always healthy and peaceful!
Simple wishes, but reading them feels very heartwarming.
Writing each line by hand contains a lot of care.
That is right! A small card makes the gift much more meaningful.
The fourth phrase is the cultural touch: give a gift with both hands.
Exactly! Giving a gift with two hands always shows respect.
When Nam presents the gift to Huy, Nam will hand it with both hands.
Huy receiving the gift will surely feel very happy.
And after that, comes the fifth phrase: open the gift box.
The moment of opening the gift box, everyone feels eager and excited!
Right! The feeling of unwrapping the paper and seeing inside is so fun.
And when seeing an item one likes, one says the sixth phrase.
The sixth phrase is a sweet sentence: really like this gift!
Hearing our friend say: I really like this gift, brings so much joy.
All the effort of searching for gifts is rewarded deservedly.
Now, Mai asks Nam about your shopping habits when buying gifts.
What do you want to ask Nam about, my friend?
Does Nam belong to Team Nam or Team Mai when giving gifts?
So how are Team Nam and Team Mai different from each other?
Team Nam are those who like buying practical daily items.
Right! Nam likes choosing useful items, like notebooks or good tea.
Meanwhile Team Mai likes surprising gifts rich in emotions.
Team Mai likes making handmade gifts and wrapping by hand, right?
Exactly! Team Mai loves picking bows and writing long cards.
Both approaches bring joy to the recipient.
Whether in Team Nam or Team Mai, sincere heart is most important.
A sincere heart always makes the gift even more precious.
Right! The recipient always feels that genuine affection.
Does Mai have any fun statistics about gift-giving?
Yes! I read a very interesting number in a newspaper.
Test Nam with a riddle, Nam will try guessing.
What percentage of people like receiving gifts with handwritten cards?
Nam guesses probably around 40%, right Mai?
Not at all! I heard that over 70% of people love handwritten cards!
Oh! Over 70% is a very high percentage indeed!
Because handwritten words always warm the reader's heart.
Indeed! A handwritten card is truly precious.
That card can be kept as a keepsake over many years.
Exactly! Small gifts preserve long-lasting friendship.
A beautiful friendship always needs care and sharing.
Small lovely gifts help connect everyone together.
Now comes the practice challenge with today's Vietnamese phrases!
Nam is ready, Mai bring on the situations!
Mai reads the situation, Nam uses the appropriate phrase to speak.
Sure! Nam will answer accurately and nicely!
Situation 1: Saturday afternoon, Nam wants to invite Mai to go shopping.
Nam will invite: Are you free this afternoon Mai, come pick a gift with me!
Very natural! Situation 2: Nam wants to ask to wrap a book nicely.
Nam will say to the clerk: Sister, please help me wrap the gift nicely!
Very accurate! Situation 3: Before the birthday party, Nam wants to write wishes.
Nam will say: Wait for me a moment, let me write a greeting card first!
Very thoughtful! Situation 4: Nam gives his teacher a box of lotus tea.
Nam will say respectfully: Greetings teacher, I respectfully present this gift with both hands!
Very polite! Situation 5: Nam's friend has not dared unwrap the gift yet.
Nam will smile and urge: Quickly open the gift box and see what is inside!
Very friendly! Situation 6: Nam opens a gift, seeing the exact book he likes.
Nam will cheer: So awesome, I really like this gift, thank you so much!
Wonderful! Situation 7: Nam attends a friend's housewarming party.
Nam will wonder: Going to a housewarming, what gift should I pick to be fitting?
Very considerate! Situation 8: Gift box is plain, Nam wants to add a ribbon bow.
Nam will suggest: Let us take ribbons to wrap the gift nicely!
Very skillful! Situation 9: Nam sends New Year wishes to grandparents.
Nam will say: Tonight I will sit down and write greeting cards to grandparents!
Very filial! Situation 10: Nam hands a souvenir to a new friend.
Nam will smile and say: I present this gift with two hands to you as a keepsake!
Very courteous! Situation 11: Time to blow candles, the whole group urges unwrapping.
Nam will count out loud: One two three, let us all open the gift box!
Such a fun vibe! Situation 12: Nam's friend praises the gift as just right.
He will smile and say: You are so thoughtful, I really like this gift!
Bravo! Nam answered correctly for all 12 practice situations!
Today's phrases are concise, memorable, and very relatable.
Exactly! Practicing speaking diligently, you will speak very naturally.
Learning Vietnamese through fun stories makes studying feel so lighthearted.
Accumulating a little each day, you all will progress very quickly.
Speaking Vietnamese every day helps us become more confident.
When speaking confidently, chatting will be much more fun.
Right! Anyone can learn Vietnamese well every day.
Now is the speaking mission in Vietnamese for tomorrow.
What is tomorrow's practice mission, Mai?
Tomorrow, when you prepare to go meet a close friend.
Or when you stand alone in front of the mirror in your room?
That is right! Stand up straight and smile brightly.
And speak which Vietnamese sentence out loud three times, my friend?
Speak out loud three times: Today, let's go pick a gift for our friend!
A joyful sentence that brings lots of joy to the entire day!
And when presenting gifts to anyone, remember to give with both hands!
Also remember to avoid giving handkerchiefs or knives, everyone!
A small gift along with a sincere heart is always the most precious thing.
Thank you all for listening to the podcast with Nam and Mai.
Wishing you all lots of joy when learning Vietnamese.
See you again in the next lessons!
Goodbye and see you again, everyone!

Key phrases

6 to keep
chọn quàchọn quà
Pick a gift
Cuối tuần mình đi chọn quà sinh nhật cho mẹ.This weekend I'm going to pick out a birthday gift for mom.
gói quà thật đẹpgói quà thật đẹp
Wrap the gift nicely
Cô ấy gói quà thật đẹp nên mình rất thích.She wraps gifts so beautifully that I really like it.
viết thiệp chúc mừngviết thiệp chúc mừng
Write a greeting card
Mình ngồi viết thiệp chúc mừng kèm theo món quà.I'm sitting here writing a greeting card to go with the gift.
tặng quà bằng hai taytặng quà bằng hai tay
Give a gift with both hands
Ở Việt Nam người ta thường tặng quà bằng hai tay.In Vietnam, people usually give gifts with both hands.
mở hộp quà ramở hộp quà ra
Open the gift box
Cậu mau mở hộp quà ra xem bên trong là gì!Hurry up and open the gift box to see what's inside!
rất thích món quà nàyrất thích món quà này
Really like this gift
Cảm ơn cậu, mình rất thích món quà này.Thank you, I really like this gift.

Đến lượt bạn

Your turn
nói to
Today's small task

Now is the speaking mission in Vietnamese for tomorrow.Now is the speaking mission in Vietnamese for tomorrow.

cocoaĐi chọn quà tặng bạn
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