Operation Learn-To-Read-Vietnamese: Tones

There are six tones in Vietnamese:

NameSymbolLevel/toneExampleEnglish Meaning
ngangamid levelmaghost
sắcárisingmother
huyeànàlow falling, sometimes breathywhich
ngããhigh risingtomb
hỏifalling risingmảhorse
naënglow constrictedmạrice seedling

The tones differ in pitch, length, and intensity. Depending on the tone, similarly spelled words can have different meanings. Confusing? Yes!