The Hmong language, belonging to the Hmong-Mien language family, is spoken by the Hmong people across China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and significant diaspora communities in the United States and other countries. It features multiple dialects, with White Hmong (Hmoob Dawb) and Green Hmong (Moob Leeg) being the most widespread. This lesson will focus on common phrases in White Hmong for general applicability, providing a foundation for basic communication.

Greetings

• Hello – “Nyob zoo” (Nyaw zhong)
• Good morning – “Nyob zoo sawv ntxov” (Nyaw zhong sao nto)
• Good afternoon – “Nyob zoo tav su” (Nyaw zhong tah soo)
• Good evening – “Nyob zoo hmo ntuj” (Nyaw zhong mo ntuj)
• Goodbye (to the person leaving) – “Mus zoo” (Moose zhong)
• Goodbye (to the person staying) – “Sib ntsib dua” (Sib nsee doo-ah)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “Kuv lub npe yog [name].” (Koo loo npay yaw [name])
• This is [name]. – “No yog [name].” (Naw yaw [name])
• I am from [country]. – “Kuv tuaj ntawm [country].” (Koo twah ntahm [country])
• I live in [city/place]. – “Kuv nyob rau [city/place].” (Koo nyaw rhow [city/place])

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “[Place] nyob qhov twg?” ([Place] nyaw kho twg?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “Kuv yuav mus txog [place] li cas?” (Koo yoo-ah moos taw [place] lee cah?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “Qhov no puas yog kev mus rau [place]?” (Kho naw pua yaw kev moos rhow [place]?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “Koj puas kam qhia kuv ntawm daim ntawv qhia?” (Kaw pua kahm chia koo ntahm dime thaw qhia?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “Thov txim, kuv tsis to taub.” (Thaw cheem, koo tsee thaw thawb)
• Can you please repeat that? – “Koj puas kam hais dua ib zaug ntxiv?” (Kaw pua kahm ha-e doo-ah eep zong ntsee?)
• I mean… – “Kuv hais tias…” (Koo ha-e thia…)
• What does [word] mean? – “[Word] txhais li cas?” ([Word] thai lee cah?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “Ua tsaug, peb sib ntsib dua” (Oo-ah tsah-oong, peb sib nsee doo-ah)
• Take care – “Koj saib xyuas koj tus kheej nawb” (Kaw sa-e bwah kaw too kay nawb)
• Have a good day – “Muaj ib hnub zoo” (Moo-ah eep noo zo)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “Kuv xav npaj ib chav tsev.” (Koo saw npah eep chah tsev)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “Kuv thov saib daim ntawv qhia zaub mov?” (Koo thaw sa-e dime thaw qhia zaub mo?)
• I am vegetarian. – “Kuv tsis noj nqaij.” (Koo tsee noy nqhai)
• The bill, please. – “Thov muab daim nqi rau kuv.” (Thaw moo-ah dime nee rhow koo)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “Qhov no nqi pes tsawg?” (Kho naw nee pay tsah?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “Koj puas muaj qhov no lwm qhov loj?” (Kaw pua moo-ah kho naw loam kho lo?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “Kuv tsuas yog saib xwb, ua tsaug.” (Koo tsoo-ah yaw sa-e shoo, oo-ah tsah-oong)
• Can I pay by card? – “Kuv puas them tau nrog daim card?” (Koo pua tam thaw noh dime kaht?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “Koj zoo nkauj heev.” / “Koj zoo nraug heev.” (Kaw zoo nkaoo heev / Kaw zoo now heev)
• I miss you. – “Kuv nco koj.” (Koo ngo kaw)
• I love you. – “Kuv hlub koj.” (Koo hloob kaw)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “Koj puas xav mus ncig teb chaws nrog kuv?” (Kaw pua saw moos nchee teb chaw noh koo?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “Pab!” (Pahb!)
• Call the police! – “Hu tub ceev xwm!” (Hoo toob chee-ah shm!)
• I need a doctor. – “Kuv xav tau kws kho mob.” (Koo saw thaw koo kaw moob)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “Tsev kho mob ze tshaj plaws nyob qhov twg?” (Tsev kho moob zay chah plah nyaw kho twg?)

These phrases provide a solid foundation for basic communication in Hmong. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Hmong media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of Hmong.