Learn Hmong
the
Jay Way
by
Jay Xiong
2nd Edition with 1st Revsion in 2016
www.HmongDictionary.com
Say the “-k” as in the English word sky – soft k.
Say the “aw” as in the English word law or “awe”
Hmong
Kawm lus Hmoob.
Hais lus Hmoob.
Kuv zoo siab.
Zoo siab ntsib koj.
English phonics
-ker loo Hmong
hai loo Hmong
-koo zhong shia
zhong shia jee -kaw!
Equivalent English
Learn Hmong. Lus = language
Speak Hmong. Talk in Hmong.
I am happy.
Happy to meet you.
Say the “-p” as in the English word spy – soft p.
Hmong
English phonics
Koj pab kuv.
-kaw! -pa -koo
Peb mus noj mov.
-pay moo naw! maw
Koj puas paub?
-kaw! -poua -pao
Peb kawm lus Hmoob. -pay -ker loo Hmong
Equivalent English
You help me.
We go eat food. We go eat.
Do you know?
We learn Hmong. We study Hmong.
Say the “-t” as in the English word stay – soft t.
Hmong
English phonics
Koj tos kuv.
Koj tuaj thiab los.
Koj puas zoo siab.
Kuv xav mus.
Equivalent English
-kaw! -taw -koo
You wait for me.
-kaw! -toua! tia law
You come too. hard t like tie, tia
-kaw! -poua zhong shia Are you happy?
-koo sah moo
I would like to go.
Say the “ny” as in the English word canyon.
Say the “zh” as in the English word “measure”, i.e., like mezher.
Hmong
English phonics
Equivalent English
Nyob zoo.
Sis ntsib dua.
Mus noj mov.
Haus dej.
Ua tsaug.
Mus zoo.
nyaw zhong
shee jee doua
moo naw! maw
hao day!
oua chao
moo zhong
Hello or hi.
Meet again or see you later.
Go eat food or go eat.
Drink water.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Speaking with tones. Say the English word “yo-yo” with high to low pitches.
Hmong
phonics
English
Peb pom. -pay-paw We see.
Peb niam. -pay-nia
Our mother.
Peb kawm. -pay-ker
We learn. We study.
Refer to MP3 files at: www.Hmongdictionary.com/learnhmong
Learn Hmong online at: www.udemy.com/learn-hmong-the-jay-way-101/
2nd Edition
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
1st Edition published: July 20, 2012
2nd Edition 1st published: April 10, 2014
2nd Edition with revisions published: October 25, 2016
Copyright © 2012-2016, Jay Xiong.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book shall be reproduced, distributed whether it be in part or in
whole, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any means, electronic,
emails, fax, mechanical, photocopying, recoding, displaying on any websites,
media or otherwise, without written permission from the author.
International Standard Book Number (ISBN): 0-9726964-3-1
To Order This Book
Please visit: www.Hmongdictionary.com
Email: [email protected]
Let's learn some more Hmong!
Hmong
Equivalent English
Koj puas paub hais lus Hmoob? Do you know how to speak Hmong?
-kaw! -poua -pao hai loo Hmong
hais = say, speak; lus = word, language.
Koj puas xav kawm lus Hmoob? Do you want to learn Hmong?
-kaw! -poua sah -ker loo Hmong
Would you like to learn Hmong?
Koj puas zoo siab?
Are you happy?
-kaw! -poua zhong shia
You are happy?
Hais lus Askiv.
Speak English.
hai loo ah-kee
Talk in English.
Peb mus ua
si.
We go play.
-pay moo oua shee
ua si = play
Kuv mus thiab.
I go too.
-koo moo tia (hard t like the English word tie) thiab = too, also.
Zoo heev.
Very good.
zhong heng
zoo = good, heev = much or very
Ab tsi?
What?
ah chee
Los peb kawm lus Hmoob.
Come we learn Hmong.
law -pay -ker
loo Hmong
Come we study language Hmong.
To My Loving Parents
Txoov Neeb Xyooj
&
Ntxhi Tsab Xyooj
Parents-in-law
Txhiaj Foom Yaj
&
Phuab Kwm Yaj
My Family
Rena Yang Xyooj,
Tiffany, Timothy,
Thomas, and Anthony
About the Author
Jay Xiong, Hmong: Zeb Xyooj, is the author of the Hmong Dictionary called “Lus Hmoob
Txhais”, and also the owner and author of the www.HmongDictionary.com. Mr. Xiong is
also one of the key contributors to the www.MicrosoftTranslator.com where he provided his
dictionary with more than 6,000 Hmong entries to help kick start the translation engine in
November 2011. Mr. Xiong was born in Phou Khao Khouay, Viangchun, Laos.
Mr. Xiong has a great passion to preserve, improve and educate the Hmong language by
offering his service freely to the world at www.HmongDictionary.com since 2003. His professional
work experience includes 10+ years in Geographic Information System (GIS) and Mapping, GIS
application programming, and 11+ years in Database Design and Database Management, Website
Design and Computer Programming. Mr. Xiong speaks and writes Hmong, Lao, and English.
Hmong
Lao
English
Nyob zoo
ສະ ບາຍ ດ
Hi
or
hello
phonics: nyaw zhong
sah bai dee
You can visit his online dictionary at: www.HmongDictionary.com
Photo by Jay Xiong 2012.
Phou Khao Khouay, (ວຽງຈຈນ), Viangchun, Laos
Believing is not good enough, you have to accomplish it to prove to yourself – JX.
A hidden knowledge is like a hidden star, it shines nowhere and benefits no one – JX.
If I focus on one thing long enough, I become the seed of that thing – JX.
Rua muag thiaj pom ntuj; qhib siab thiaj pom txuj – JX.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the following people for their time and knowledge to help
with this book. Without their help and invaluable suggestions, this book would
be like a song without lyrics.
Travis Gore
Hmong name is Peev Xwm xeem Khab.
Chico, California.
Business website: www.travisgore.com
Sarah Gore
Hmong name is Nkauj Dawb xeem Khab.
Chico, California.
Amy Ross
Hmong name is Nkauj Hli, Music Teacher.
Crescent City, California.
Paj Cai Xyooj
Business Owner, B.S. in Civil Engineer and
M.S. in Business.
Melbourne, Australia.
Charles Tsu Vue
Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs Office and
Hmong Language Instructor – UW-Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Dr. Douglas-Chuedoua Vue Professor, Ph.D. in Education.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Nick Poss, Ph.D.
Columbus, Ohio.
Phong Yang
Hmong Language Instructor, M.A. Linguistics.
California State University, Fresno.
Yer T. Yang
High School Teacher – Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Master of Education with emphasis on ELL Education
Last but not least, I want to thank God for his endless love, wisdom and forgiveness.
DISCLAIMER
Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation and writing of this book, the
author assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, and/or incorrect translations.
Furthermore, the author assumes no liability of any damages resulting from the use of the
information contained herein. In addition, there are words referenced in here which may
have multiple meanings; therefore, please check with Hmong dictionaries, and consult
with Hmong speakers for appropriate use. Last but not least is that some words and
graphic images illustrated in this book may not be suitable for all ages; however, as an
author, I want this book to be beneficial and comprehensive to the people who wish to
learn the Hmong language as much as possible.
Hmong have this old saying, “Xav luaj ntuj los xu luaj nyuj; xav luaj teb los xu luaj
zeb.” In English it simply means one can think and prepare as big as the universe, but still
will miss something as big as a cow, and when one thinks or prepares as big as a farm, he
still will miss something as big as a rock. In other words, human beings are not perfect no
matter how hard we try.
Nov mus kuv yuav hais me ntsis lus Hmoob. Phau ntawv no yog sau los pab qhia rau cov
neeg uas paub lus Askiv zoo, tabsis lawv xav kawm lus Hmoob. Yog li, cov lus txhais ua lus
Askiv ces tsis yog sau raws li kev siv lus Askiv tiag. Qhov no vim yog lus Hmoob tsis
muaj ib cov lus li lus Askiv. Piv txwv li zaj lus hauv qab no:
Hmoob
Kuv nyiam haus dej. Txhais ua lus Askiv →
Askiv /English
I like to drink water.
Sab lus Hmoob muaj 4 lo lus, tabsis sab lus Askiv muaj 5 vim sab Askiv muaj lo lus “to”
uas lus Hmoob tsis muaj. Yog li, kev txhais thiaj li sau li hauv qab no:
Hmoob yog: Kuv nyiam haus
dej.
Askiv yog: I
like
drink water. Tus neeg paub lus Askiv zoo ces nws paub
tias yog “I like to drink water” lawm.
Qhov txhais li no vim yog kuv xav kom cov neeg kawm lus Hmoob paub tias:
Kuv = I, nyiam = like, haus = drink, dej = water.
Tsis tag li no xwb, kev sau lus Askiv los muab sau raws lus Hmoob thiab, xws li:
Koj mus qhov twg? Ces muab sau ua lus Askiv tias, “You go where?” vim:
Koj = You, mus = go, qhov twg = where.
Contents
Introduction..........................................................................
1
The English Alphabet ….................................................................. 5
How to Pronounce the Hmong K, P, T, Z, C, Q, and R............... 6
Hmong Vowels and English Equivalent Phonics......................... 10
Hmong Tones.................................................................................. 16
Keys to Understand........................................................................ 28
Single Consonants.......................................................................... 29
Double Consonants........................................................................ 50
How to Pronounce the Double Consonants.................................. 52
Double Consonants with Pictures.................................................. 58
Triple Consonants.......................................................................... 74
Triple Consonants with Pictures..................................................... 82
Quadruple Consonants................................................................. 88
Consonants, Vowels and Tones Chart...................................... 90
Pronouns................................................................................................. 92
Verbs and Adverbs......................................................................... 99
Grammar and Syntax.................................................................... 102
Interrogative Sentences.................................................................. 109
Common Hmong Verbs................................................................. 113
Adjectives, Conjunctions and Prepositions.................................... 119
Past, Present and Future Tenses................................................ 124
Words that Indicate Future Tenses................................................ 126
Numbers and Their Spellings...................................................... 127
Word Meanings and Numbers........................................................ 130
Some Differences between Hmong and English............................. 133
Hmong Classifiers.......................................................................... 134
Classifiers Plus Verbs.................................................................. 137
Questioning Words........................................................................ 138
Sweet Words................................................................................... 142
The Blaming Game......................................................................... 143
The Swear Words............................................................................ 143
Repeating the Same Verb Means Greater or More................ 144
Hmong Common Nouns................................................................. 145
Hmong Compound Words............................................................ 150
Simple Phrase and Sentences........................................................... 151
Short Greetings................................................................................. 153
Typical Hmong Greetings.............................................................. 154
Typical Phone Conversations....................................................... 155
Shopping Phrase............................................................................... 155
Body Parts.......................................................................................... 157
Internal Organs................................................................................. 159
Household Items.............................................................................. 160
Grocery Items.................................................................................... 161
Agricultural Products..................................................................... 162
Illness and Disease............................................................................ 163
Basic Conversation Regarding Illness........................................ 164
World and Country........................................................................... 165
Direction and Orientation............................................................. 166
Geographic Locations....................................................................... 167
Bible Terminology........................................................................... 168
Hmong Clans..................................................................................... 170
First Names....................................................................................... 171
Family and Friends.......................................................................... 172
Courtship and Dating........................................................................ 173
Marriage and Wedding................................................................... 174
Funeral............................................................................................... 175
Wrapping Things in a Grammatical Way................................... 176
Next and Will..................................................................................... 177
Everything You Need to Know...................................................... 178
What is a Monosyllabic Language..................................................... 179
Time For a Short Story.................................................................... 180
Phrase Translation............................................................................. 181
The Dog and the Tree Fiction Story............................................. 183
Time to Write a Letter in Hmong...................................................... 184
Visiting Hmong at their homes.................................................... 196
Some Hmong Common Questions.................................................... 197
Differences between Hmong Der and Mong Leng Dialects... 198
Summary................................................................................................ 200
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
1
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this book is to offer a different and non-linguistic approach to learning the Hmong
language. By non-linguistic approach I mean from a person, me, who is not a linguist, but have a
great desire to help people who are interested in learning the Hmong language in a different way.
Another reason that motivated me to write this book is the number of people who supported my
effort and my website www.hmongdictionary.com since 2003, and their encouragement for
writing this book.
The Hmong language, like many human languages, has pronouns, adverbs, verbs, conjunctions,
adjectives, nouns and the likes; however, with its own morphology and syntax. A human language
is no different than a computer language, and we need to know one, hopefully, our native language
well before trying to learn a second one. With this being said, I hope you are fluent either in
English or in Hmong because throughout this book there are many comparisons between them. In
its simplistic term, a human language is a means to converse or to speak, and a computer
language is a means to execute or run a specific program or command. For humans, the exact
words a person converses or speaks to get his result might vary from person to person, and this
variation happens because there are many different choices of words or synonyms to choose from
when forming his/her instructions. For the most part, the Hmong language does not have many
synonyms in comparison to the English language, and that makes it easy to learn, while extremely
hard to explain and define.
Furthermore, the Hmong language has two dialects: Hmong Der (also known as White),
and Hmong Leng or Hmong Joua (also known as Green). Many Hmong people who came
from China many centuries ago spoke the Hmong Leng dialect. For the most part, my guess is,
that 75 percent of the words from these two dialects are exactly the same – both pronunciations
and meanings; however, there are a few words that have the same spellings and pronunciations
but have different meanings. For example, the Hmong Der word “txav” means “to move” but it
means “to cut” in Hmong Leng. However, this book covers only the Hmong Der dialect, and I
want to apologize for not being able to cover both at this time – please see the end of this
book for some basic differences between these two dialects.
Learning a new language both spoken and written forms at the same time can be
accomplished, but patience is required while been introduced to that language. If you already
know the spoken form and need to learn only the written form then it might be a few months;
however, if you are trying to learn both at the same time, it will be a few years. However, the neat
part about knowing another language is like knowing another cooking recipe. Therefore, I
sincerely hope that the information I provided here is concise and useful enough that you will not
only be able follow my recipe, but also be able to speak and write Hmong better than some native
Hmong. Last but not least is that there are many words used throughout this book that have
multiple meanings, and this is true not only for Hmong but also for English. Additionally, most
translations may not be proper English translation but rather literal translation to help you
understand the equivalent words used in both languages. For example:
Hmong
English
The English sentence is
The Hmong
Kuv
nyiam
haus
dej.
I
like
drink
water.
not correct because it
sentence is
is missing the “to” after
And
not
I
like
to
drink
water.
correct.
the verb “like.”
In other words, Kuv = I, nyiam = like, haus = drink, and dej = water.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
2
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
The Hmong People, Culture, and Language
The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group, the majority are in China, from the mountainous and
many isolated regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and Thailand. After the United States
Secret War in Laos ended in 1975 many of the Hmong, estimated 100,000+, had migrated to the
United States, Canada, France, Japan, Argentina, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia. The
Hmong culture is very much like many other cultures; however, one distinctive difference is
that the Hmong people are organized into roughly 18 last names or clans. Furthermore, the
Hmong culture prohibits marriage between two people with the same last name. Hmong believe
that those who have the same last name came from the same ancestors.
The main religion of the Hmong people prior to 1975 is mainly Shamanism – a belief and
practice of the spiritual world. However, many of the Hmong people who now live in the United
States have changed from Shamanism to Christianity. This change of religion has spread for many
Hmong people around the globe today. One can not choose to be a shaman, however, but only the
spirit can choose who can become a Shaman, and either gender can become a Shaman. Generally
it does not cost anything to consult with a shaman regarding one's illness until his/her illness is
cured.
Hmong did not have a written language where it was taught and learned openly until 1952 and
1953 when a Protestant missionary Dr. Lindwood Barney, a Roman Catholic missionary
Father Yves Bertrais (better known as Txiv Plig Nyiaj Pov), and Dr. William A. Smalley
who came to Laos to help create the Latin script for Hmong words. This Hmong language is what
we currently use these days, also better known as the Romanized Popular Alphabet (RPA) system.
Another popular Hmong script is called “Pahawh” which was invented by a Hmong spiritual and
highly respected person named Shong Lue Yang, Soob Lwj Yaj in Hmong.
The Hmong language is considered a tonal language, and for the most part, about 90 percent
of the words are monosyllabic. The language is spoken with open syllables. Similar to most human
languages, the Hmong language also follows the subject-verb-object syntax structure. Unlike
English, Hmong do not have the plural forms, “-s, -en” and verbs remain the same regardless of
whether you use it to refer to the first, second, and third person. Additionally, there are no
participles in Hmong, i.e., “-ed, -ing, and -en” and no verbal nouns or gerunds, i.e., the writing
of this book. More importantly, there is no verb conjugation, i.e., does, do, did and done, in
Hmong. Hmong verbs have just one form like the English verbs “cut” and “put.” In addition,
Hmong do not have long and short vowels – just one pronunciation for each vowel. Therefore,
reading and writing Hmong is very consistent even words that you have never seen nor heard
before you can still write them correctly. There are seven distinctive tones in the Hmong
language and roughly about 13 vowels.
However, I believe there are more vowels/sounds than these that have not been identified due
to the lack of adequate research into the Hmong spoken language. For example, the Hmong sound
“au”, as in the English word Lao, and the Hmong sound “oe” as in the English word toe do exist,
but the Hmong people just use the “au” to represent both sounds. The word “oeb” is commonly
used as an exclamation. For example: Oeb, koj tuaj thiab los? Which it means “Oh, you come,
too?” And the Hmong word “aub” means “dog”, and these two words clearly have two distinctive
sounds or phonics, but we will leave that topic for a different book.
Thaum yus tsis paub yus hom lus ces zoo li yus tsis yog yus haiv neeg.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
3
Suggestion for Learning the Hmong Language
The very first step is to master the pronunciation of the single consonants, vowels and the tones.
The Hmong tones is problematic for most English speakers so make sure you spend enough time
learning the tones section. The Hmong language is considered a tonal language. So that means if
you say the word with the wrong tone it will mean an entirely different thing.
Most of the pages of this book have mp3 audio included. Each of the audio file will have the
filename of page-n.mp3 where n is the page number. For additional resources and audio files,
please visit:
www.hmongdictionary.com/learnhmong
My online course for learning Hmong:
www.udemy.com/learn-hmong-the-jay-way-101/
Last but not least is try to focus on words that are easy, and you like the most. Not sure about
you, but for me, I seem to learn the best when I like what I am learning the most.
Learning Strategies
1. Learn the English alphabet
2. Learn the Hmong vowels
3. Learn the Hmong single consonants
4. Learn the Hmong tones
5. Learn the rest of the poly-consonants
6. Learn the pronouns, verbs, and adverbs
For introduction to the Hmong language,
you might want to teach as follows:
1. Consonants
2. Vowels
3. Tones
4. Pronouns
5. Simple words and short phrases
7. Learn the adjectives, conjunctions and prepositions
8. Learn the numbers
9. Learn the difference between English and Hmong
10. Learn the Hmong classifiers
11. Learn the Hmong grammar
12. Go to HmongDictionary.com/learnhmong and listen to the MP3 files
Thank you for your interest to learn the Hmongology (my new word) – The study of the Hmong
people, culture, and language.
Learning a new language is like learning new synonyms.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
4
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
Simplified Consonants and New Vowels
The original Hmong consonants, np, nts, and nk have very similar phonics to the English letters
b, j, and g, i.e., baw, jaw, and gaw. For this reason, some Hmong people use these new
consonants in place of the original ones. Below are some words in both the new and the original
forms.
No
Original form
Simplified version
Original word example
Simplified version
1
np
b
npua
bua
2
npl
bl
nplua
blua
3
nplh
blh
nplhaib
blhaib
4
nts
j
ntsaum
jaum
5
ntsh
jh
ntshai
jhai
6
nk
g
nkaum
gaum
7
nkh
gh
nkhaus
ghaus
8
plh
new version phl
plhu
new version phlu
9
nplh
new version nphl
nplhaib
new version nphlaib
The reason I mentioned these simplified consonants here is so you are aware that some of the
younger Hmong people, especially those that live in the United States, have been using both forms
interchangeably. The revised “phl and nphl” are more correct in Hmong phonetically. For
example, the English word “pea” = Hmong “phis”, English “plea” = Hmong “phlis” instead.
A new vowel I also created is the “H” which is a silent vowel. This “h” vowel is being used at
the end of other vowels only, i.e., ohs and ohm. For example: “Koj puas noj os?” is the current or
old writing method, and the above question can mean as follows:
1. Do you want to eat ducks?
2. Do you want to eat [with a different sound but having the same spelling “os”]
The new way with the “h” is as follows:
1. Koj puas noj os? Means “Do you want to eat ducks?”
2. Koj puas noj ohs? Means “Do you want to eat [with the correct Hmong sound]
To utter this new word “ohs”, you have to utter the “os” + “hos” = “ohs” which it happens more
toward the very back of your tongue. There are other vowels that I had used in my dictionary to
accommodate some of the English and Lao sounds that don't exist in Hmong. However, don't
worry about these new vowels yet.
io = As in English Leo
These are for your information only!
oe = As in English toe
ue = Similar to the English sound oo-ay. Hmong example: Hueb! Ua twg lawm?
ui = As in the English word quit. Hmong example: Uib! Ua cas tsis pom lawm?
oi = Hmong example: Oib, tsis txhob ua li hos! By Dr. Chuedoua Vue.
wa = Like the Lao word khib nywab (garbage), for example.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
5
The English Alphabet with Hmong Pronunciation
The Romanized Popular Alphabet, RPA, is a Latin-based script which you already know. What you
need to learn is the pronunciations in Hmong. Each Hmong consonant has the English phonics “aw” as
in the word law. For example, the Hmong pronunciation for the letter D is the English phonics daw.
No Letter English phonics
Hmong usage
A ah, or a as in word about vowel – as in ah, ma
1
2
B*
baw – like English B
3
C
no equivalent – learn later consonant – you will learn this later
4
D
daw – like English D
consonant – exactly like English D, day
5
E
ay, as in word day
vowel – as in say, lay
6
F
faw – like English F
consonant – exactly like English F, foo
7
G*
gaw – as in good, go
tone marker. Also a simplified consonant
8
H
haw – like English H
consonant – exactly like English H, how
9
I
ee, as in word bee
vowel – as in see, tee
10
J*
jaw – as in Jay, jar
tone marker. Also a simplified consonant
11
K
kaw – soft k, like “skaw”
consonant – exactly like English soft K as in sky
12
L
law – like English L
consonant – exactly like English L
13
M
maw-- like English M
consonant – exactly like English M
14
N
naw – like English N
consonant – exactly like English N
15
O
aw, as in word law (awe)
vowel – like the English word “awe”
16
P
paw – soft p, like “spaw” consonant – exactly like English soft P, as in word spy
17
Q
no equivalent – learn later consonant – you will learn this later
18
R
no equivalent – learn later consonant – you will learn this later
19
S
shaw, as in shoe, she
consonant – exactly like English “sh” as in she, shy
20
T
taw – soft t, like “staw”
consonant – exactly like English soft T as in stay
21
U
oo, as in word zoo , soo
vowel – exactly like you, too
22
V
vaw – like English V
consonant – exactly like English V as in vie, vow
23
W
vowel
w like “hmm” sound →
Pinch your nose tight, open your mouth and say “hmm”
similar to “ah” but with the “hmm” sound. No puffing!
24
X
saw, as in see, song
consonant – exactly like English S as in see, sow
25
Y
yaw – like English Y
consonant – exactly like English Y as in yo-yo
26
Z
zhaw – like in “measure” consonant – like syllable “-sure” of the word measure (zher)
tone marker and a simplified consonant – like English B
The English word
“tasty” has two
Ts. The first T is
uttered with a
puff of air –
aspirated, but not
the second T. The
first T is called a
hard T, and the
second T is called
a soft T.
The Hmong k, p, t
are uttered without
the puff of air.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
6
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
How to pronounce the Hmong K, P, T and Z
Hmong
(English phonics)
K
(-kaw)
English pronunciation and remark
Utter this K like the k in the word “sky” – soft K. In other words, only
pronounce the “ky” exactly as how you say “-ky” in the word “sky.” Now say
the English word “skaw” but mute the “s” and utter the “-kaw” – as if it has
the “s” in front of it and that is the Hmong pronunciation for the K.
P
(-paw)
Utter this P like the p in the word “spy” – soft P. In other words, only
pronounce the “py” exactly as how you say “-py” in the word “spy.” Now say
the English word “spaw” but mute the “s” and utter the “-paw” – as if it has
the “s” in front of it and that is the Hmong pronunciation for the P.
T
(-taw)
Utter this T like the t in the word “stay” – soft T. In other words, only
pronounce the “tay” exactly as how you say “-tay” in the word “stay.” Now
say the English word “staw” but mute the “s” and utter the “-taw” – as if it
has the “s” in front of it and that is the Hmong pronunciation for the T.
Z
(zhaw)
Utter this Z like the s in the word “mea-sure” – like zher. In other words,
the Hmong “Z” is like “zh” in English. Now say the English word “measaw”
but mute the “mea-” and utter the “-saw” – like zhaw. The English phonics
“zhaw” sounds exactly like the Hmong “zos.” Do not say the “z” like the
word “zaw” as in the English word “zip”, however.
If you see the “-k” in English phonics it denotes a soft k as in sky, and “k” as in “key.” Likewise,
“-p” is soft p as in spy, and “p” as in “pie”, and “-t” as in “stay” and “t” as in “tie.”
The English word “tasty” has two Ts. The first T – “tas-” has the audible puff of breath uttered
after – hard T, but not the second T – “-ty.” The second T's pronunciation is called
the soft T – unaspirated – clear and without puffing sounds.
Hard or aspirated means there is a “puff” of air, i.e., the “tas-” syllable of the word “tas-ty.”
Soft or unaspirated means no “puffing” sound, i.e., the “-ty” syllable of the word “tas-ty.”
The Hmong k, p, t and kh, ph, and th pronunciations
Hmong
kais
pais
tais
English soft pronunciation
-kai (like skai)
-pai (like spai)
-tai (like stai)
Hmong word
khais
phais
thais
English hard pronunciation
kai (like key, kay)
pai (like pie)
tie (like thai)
We will learn more about these double consonants later on when we learn the Hmong double
consonants. For now, just remember that the Hmong K, P, and T are always equivalent to the
English soft or clear pronunciation – no puffing sounds that is.
Peb kawm lus Hmoob = We learn language Hmong.
-pay -ker loo Hmong = We learn the Hmong language.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
7
Another letter I want to cover again is the Hmong vowel “w”. This Hmong vowel has the sound
segment of the English word “hmm” but without the “h” – nasal-aspirated and without the
“mm” – closed lips. Here is how to utter this Hmong “w” vowel. First, pinch your nose tight
and open your mouth, and then utter the English word “ah” and then the word “hmm”, but
don't puff any air through your mouth, however, and with your mouth open. If you do this
correctly, what you uttered should be the Hmong “w” sound. Again, transfer the “a-” as in about
to “w” as in word “hmm” only.
Now let's finish learning the remaining single consonants, C, Q, and R. The first letter we are
going to learn is the “C”, pronounced “cos.”
cus
We are going borrow the English word situation, and the
sound segment we need is the capitalized letters of the word
siTUation. Make sure you don't say “TU” as CHOO which it has
a puffing sound. Meaning that if you say the word “si-tu-a-tion”
by forming your tongue and mouth looking like the image on the
left and without puffing, it can only sound like the Hmong “cus”
and not like the English “choo” or Hmong “chus” on the right
that is. The image on the right is how you say the Hmong “chus”
which it has a puffing sound – mouth aspirated effect.
chus
Another English word that has the parts we need to learn the Hmong “C” is perhaps the word
“itch” but end without aspirating the “h”, i.e., itc. Now let's create a new word “itchaw” but say
this word like “itcaw” – without the puffing sound, and the syllable “-caw” of this word should
be close to the Hmong “cos” sound. The other word you can try is the word “speech” but not
aspirating the “h” effect. In other words, say it like “speec” by ending the “c” with your mouth and
tongue looking like the image on the left above. Make sure not uttering “speec” like “speek”,
however.
Let's practice one more time. First, place the tip of your tongue by pressing at the root of your
bottom teeth then lower your top teeth, as to bite part of your tongue, then arc part of your tongue
so it touches the roof of your mouth like the image on the left, and then utter the word “cos” or
“cus” without any puffing sounds. With a puffing sound it is “chus” in Hmong and without, it is
“cus” that is all. Initially, it might be helpful to bite a portion of your tongue prior to saying or
uttering the word “cus.”
It is helpful for me to think about pressing my tongue against the back of my teeth to pronounce
“cos” – Dr. Nick Poss.
Words of wisdom
Ruam noj ntau ntse noj tsau.
A fool eats a lot but the wise one eats until full.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
8
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
How to Pronounce the Consonant Q
The pronunciation of this consonant perhaps only exists in the Hmong language because Hmong
used to live close to too many frogs in the past. :) Other than that, I can't think of any words in
English that would come close to this “Q”, pronounced “qos.” But let's not give
up because if frogs can say it, we can, too. So let's try this. First,
let's say the English word “ah” a few times. Then form your
tongue like the image on the left – by pressing the tip of your
tongue at point B first then arc the back top of your tongue to
touch the roof of your mouth at point A. To utter the Hmong
“qas” just softly dropping your tongue, with a little push forward, at point A like
the image on the right. In other words, say this consonant “Q” from the back of your tongue and
throat by dropping or opening your tongue at point A. You might have to gag the first few
tries, but don't give up because we know it can be done.
1. Once you are able to make your mouth and tongue looking like the picture on the left, you
are now ready to call the most beautiful Miss Frog ever!
2. Okay, are you ready? Get ready as you are going to gag, and then utter the English word
“awe” by opening your tongue at point A with a little push forward. That is it. If you can
do this, you can go call Miss Frog, “Qos” in Hmong, and she might even nyiam koj (nyia
-kaw!), like you.
How to Pronounce the Consonant R
The English word that has the closest sound similar to the Hmong R,
pronounced “ros”, is perhaps the word “straw.” However, mute the “s-” but
keep the sound “-traw” part exactly like when the “s” is in front of it. Now say
“-traw” a few times and it should sound very close to the word “draw” indeed.
Now we want to eliminate the “R” sound – no vibrations at the tip of your
tongue at all, and it should sound like the English phonics “daw” instead.
Now press the tip of your tongue very hard against your palate like you are
going to say the word “-traw”, see image on the left, but utter with one clear
sound similar to the word “daw” but not exactly like “daw”, however.
Mouth-aspirated
means exhale thru
your mouth i.e.,
chat and Thai – has
a puffing sound.
chat
Nasal-aspirated
means exhale thru
your nose to form
the “H” sound, i.e.,
“hmm” before the
rest, i.e., mong as in
the word Hmong.
Hmong
Letters such as L, M, and N are unaspirated consonants – clear pronunciations
Likewise K, P, T in Hmong are also unaspirated consonants – soft K, P, and T that is.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
9
Review Single Consonants
The English phonics for “-aw” below is exactly as in word “law” – awe that is.
No
1
Hmong English Like English
Letter phonics (consonant)
B
baw
bay, bee
Hmong
English
word
phonics
A simplified version of the “np” consonant.
2
C
n/e
No equivalence – will learn later
3
D
daw
day, dee
de, do, du, di, dai, dia
day, daw, doo, dee, dai, dia
4
F
faw
fee, foo, fay
fee, fi, fo, foo, fua
feng, fee, faw, fong, foua
5
G
gaw
go, guy
A simplified version of the “nk” consonant.
6
H
haw
how, hay, hi
hau, he, hai, hua
7
J
jaw
jay, joe, jar
A simplified version of the “nts” consonant.
8
K
-kaw
sky, ski
The Hmong kai and ki phonics are similar to the -ky and
-ki sounds here. Mute the “s” sound that is.
9
L
law
lay, low, lie
lai, lee, lo, lia
lai, leng, law, lia
10
M
maw
my, me, moo
me, mo, mau
may, maw, mao
11
N
naw
no, nah, nay
ne, na, nau, nu
nay, nah, nao, noo
12
P
-paw
spay, spy
The Hmong pe and pai phonics are similar to the -pay
and -py sounds here. Mute the “s” sound that is.
13
Q
n/e
No equivalence – will learn later
14
R
n/e
No equivalence – will learn later
15
S
shaw
she, shy
si, sai, sia, so
16
T
-taw
stay, sty
The Hmong word te phonics is similar to the -tay sound.
Mute the “s” sound that is.
17
V
vaw
vow, vee, vie
vi, vau
vee, vao
18
X
saw
see, saw, sow
xau, xo, xi
sao, saw, see
19
Y
yaw
ya, ye, yay
ya, yi, ye
ya, yee, yay
Z
zhaw
hao, hay, hai, houa
she, shai, shia, shaw
measure
The Hmong word zaw phonics is similar to the -sure
(zher)
(zher) sound. Mute the “meas-” sound that is.
When I said “mute”, I mean you still utter the word as if it has the “s” in front of the word, i.e.,
“stay” but only utter the “-tay” – soft t without the “s” sound.
20
Kev hlub pib los ntawm kev pub; kev ntxub pib los ntawm kev cais.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
10
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
Hmong Vowels
Now you are ready to learn the Hmong vowels, but don't worry because some of these vowels
do follow the same English phonetic methodology. Furthermore, there are no short and long
vowels in Hmong. In other words, there is only one type of pronunciation for each vowel.
No Hmong English phonics
As in English word
1
a
ah
about, pa, ma
2
ai
ai
Thai – same as English
3
au
ao
Lao
4
aw
er
per. Do not curl your tongue for the “r”, however.
5
e
ay
day, say, just like the e in the musical note “Re” that is.
6
ee
eng
English
7
i
ee
bee, lee
8
ia
ia
Kia – same as English
9
o
aw
law, saw
10
oo
ong
among
11
u
oo
zoo, too
12
ua
oua
Moua
13
w
ew
See above right for explanation.
To say the Hmong W vowel:
The closest English phonics is perhaps
the word “hmm”, but with your
mouth open and make the sound “ew”
with little or no air through your nose.
Making sure “ew” does not sound
like “oo” as in word too, however.
14
aa*
ung
lung. *This is a Hmong Leng vowel.
Each of the Hmong words below has three parts: consonant + vowel + the S tone. The S tone has
a similar pitch to the first musical note “Do” as in “Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti.” Also, I considered this
“S” tone the mid or neutral tone. From now on, we will spell “Do” like “Doe” instead.
No
1
Hmong words with the S tone – “Doe” and “Re” pitches and English phonics
phonics pitch dah
2
Doe
3
Re
4
dai
dao
der
day deng
das dais daus daws des
da
dai
Doe Re pitches nas
nai
dau
dee
daw dong doo doua
dees
dis
dos
doos
dus
do
doo
du
dua
dia
naw noos
nu
nuas
nia
daw
de
dee
di
naus naw
nes
nee
nis
dia
duas dias
The Hmong word dais means a bear, and the Hmong word dai means to hang something.
It is just like the English words “see, seem, and seek” and the ending letter dictates the
ending sound or pitch or tone in Hmong. So let's practice reading the following words using
the Doe and Re pitches along with some Hmong words.
Pitch
Doe
Re
Doe
Re
Doe
Re
Doe
Re
Doe
Re
Hmong
das
da
dais
dai
daus
dau
daws daw des
de
words
dees
dee
dis
di
dias
dia
doos
doo
dus
du
nes
ne
naus nau nias
nia
dos
do
dias
dia
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
11
Below is a table with the 20 single consonants and the 13 vowels with the “Re” pitch. Practice
reading each consonant from the left with each vowel on the right, i.e., ba, bai, bau etc..
phonics
ah
ai
ao
er
ay
eng
ee
ia
aw
ong
oo
oua
ew*
1
B
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
2
C
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
3
D
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
4
F
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
5
G
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
6
H
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
7
J
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
8
K
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
9
L
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
10
M
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
11
N
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
12
P
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
13
Q
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
14
R
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
15
S
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
16
T
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
17
V
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
18
X
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
19
Y
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
20
Z
a
ai
au
aw
e
ee
i
ia
o
oo
u
ua
w
Using the “Re” pitch, let's learn some of the Hmong words above. The Hmong word da (dah –
phonics) means to swim or lie down, dai = to hang, do (daw) to stir, du (doo) = smooth, lau
(lao) = male bird, lo (law) = to stick, sau (shao) = to write. For teachers, once you have taught
the 8 tones, come back to this page and ask your students to read each row above with each of the
8 tones, i.e., J, S, V, M, for example: naj, naij, nauj (nah!, nai! nao! English phonics).
Peb mus da dej
Peb los pw
Koj hu kuv
Los noj mov
Kuv mus haus dej
(-pay moo dah day!)
(-pay law -pew)
(-kaw! hoo -koo)
(law naw! maw)
(-koo moo hao day!)
= We go swimming. We go bathe.
= We come to sleep.
= You call me.
= Come eat or come eat food.
= I go drink water.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
12
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
Now that you have learned the Hmong vowels, let's combine them with some simple consonants
with the “Re” pitch. Remember, “das” has the “Doe” pitch and “da” has the “Re” pitch.
Hmong Hmong Hmong English
Hmong Hmong Hmong English
consonant vowel word
phonics
consonant vowel
word
phonics
1
d
a
da
dah
25
d
ai
dai
dai
2
h
ai
hai
hai
26
h
a
ha
ha
3
l
a
la
lah
27
l
ai
lai
lai
4
m
ia
mia
mia
28
m
au
mau
mao
5
d
au
dau
dao
29
d
ia
dia
dia
6
h
aw
haw
her
30
h
a
ha
ha
7
l
ua
lua
loua
31
l
ai
lai
lai
8
m
au
mau
mao
32
m
aw
maw
mer
9
d
e
de
day
33
d
ee
dee
deng
10
h
e
he
hay
34
h
e
he
hay
11
l
ee
lee
leng
35
l
ee
lee
leng
12
m
e
me
may
36
m
ee
mee
meng
13
d
i
di
dee
37
x
ia
xia
sia
14
h
i
hi
hee
38
y
ai
yai
yai
15
l
i
li
lee
39
n
aw
naw
ner
16
m
i
mi
mee
40
m
ia
mia
mia
17
d
o
do
daw
41
s
oo
soo
shong
18
h
oo
hoo
hong
42
h
o
ho
haw
19
l
o
lo
law
43
f
oo
foo
fong
20
m
oo
moo
mong
44
m
u
mu
moo
21
d
u
du
doo
45
d
ua
dua
doua
22
h
ua
hua
houa
46
h
ua
hua
houa
23
l
u
lu
loo
47
n
au
nau
nao
24
x
au
xau
sao
48
z
ua
zua
zhoua
The above Hmong words have no tone markers; however, they do have the equivalent tone or pitch of
the 2nd musical note “Re”, i.e., Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti.
Hmong words: do (daw) means to stir, and me (may) means small, and dai means to hang.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
13
Please circle the English sound on the right column that has the sound of the Hmong vowel on the
left column. Make a few copies of this page and study until you know them well.
Hmong
Vowel
English
Sound
Hmong
Vowel
English
Sound
Hmong
Vowel
English
Sound
Hmong
Vowel
English
Sound
a
ao
ah
ah ay
i
ao
ee ay
ee
u
ao
oo ay
o
ee aw ao
ee
ao
ee eng
e
ay
ee eng
oo
ao
ee ong
ia
ee
i
ee ay ah
ai
ia ay ai
i
ee
ay ah
e
oo ay ee
oo
oo ong aw
aw
oo ong er
w
ew ong aw
a
ah oo aw
ua
oo oua aw
au
oo oua ao
u
oo oua aw
w
ew oo ee
w
ao
ay ew
oo
ao ong ew
ai
ao
ai
ew
u
oo ee ay
ai
ai
ia
ah
a
ai
o
ai aw
ah
ia
oo
e
ay
ee oo
ee
eng
ee oo
ai
ay ai
oo
w
ew ay ee
aw
ee
ay er
i
ee
ay er
e
ee
ay er
u
ay ee oo
w
aw
ew
ay
o
aw
ee ay
a
aw ew ah
o
aw oo ee
ua
oua aw ao
ia
oua aw ia
aw
oua er ao
ua
oo oua ay
o
aw oua ao
w
ew
oua ao
u
aw oo ao
o
ee oo aw
u
oo aw
ua
oo oua ee
a
oo aw ah
i
oo
ee ay
o
ong ung aw
ee
eng ung ay
aw
er
aw oo
ee ah
oo
ee
ong ung ay
ia
ah
aw ia
ia ai
ia
ia
ai
ee
i
ia
ai
ee
ai
ee
ai oo
u
oo
w
ai
ew
oo
aw
ai
er
oo
o
ai
ew aw
aa
ah ung oo
u
oo
ai
ia
a
oo
ah
ia
ua
oo oua ia
o
aw
oo ee
a
oo
ah
ee
ia
oo
ah
ia
w
oo
ew
ai
oo
ai aw
oo
ai
ay ong
o
ai aw ong
u
ai oo ong
ee
ee ay eng
ai
ia
ee
ai
ia
ia
oo
ia
ong ai
i
ee
e
ee
ay
ao
ee
ee ay eng
ai
ee
ay ai
w
ee oo ew
ai
ai
ia
oo
a
ai
oo
w
ew
ia oo
u
ee
w
oo ew
aw
aw
oo er aw
ua
oua ew aw
a
oo ee ah
ua
ao
oua oo
u
ao oua oo
a
ao oua ah
o
ee aw oo
ee
eng
oo
eng oo
e
eng oo
ai
ee ai oo
ee
aw
ee ai
ah
er
ah
ay
ay oo
oo ay
The Hmong word “ua” (oua) means do or to do. For example: Kuv ua mov
(-koo oua maw) means I cook or I make food. Koj ua (-kaw! oua) means you do.
Peb mus ua num = We go do duty (job). Ua li koj hais = Do as you say.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
14
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
Below please write the English phonics on the right for each of the Hmong word. For example, the
Hmong word “do” = English phonics “daw”, “da” = “dah”, and “daw” = “der” etc...
Hmong English Hmong English Hmong English Hmong English
1
do
2
ha
3
daw
da
dah
doo
dai
hau
hu
hai
lai
la
lia
law
4
mo
ma
mia
mai
5
du
dau
du
daw
6
hua
hau
hia
haw
7
lai
lau
lua
law
8
maw
mau
mia
ma
9
di
de
dai
dee
10
ho
he
ha
hee
11
lee
le
lua
lau
12
moo
me
mi
mee
13
dai
di
daw
dia
14
haw
hi
hai
hia
15
lu
lai
lo
lia
16
mua
mi
maw
mia
17
dau
do
daw
doo
18
hi
ho
he
hoo
19
lia
lo
lee
loo
20
mu
mo
mai
moo
21
daw
du
dia
dua
22
hai
hu
hee
hua
23
la
lu
lw
lua
24
maw
mu
ma
mua
25
so
see
xe
xia
26
xoo
xee
se
sai
dao
der
27
nua
nau
ne
no
For teachers, please have your students read each row, i.e., do, da, doo and dai etc...
Hmong words: dai means to hang, so (shaw) = to wipe or rest, hau (hao) = to boil.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
15
Please write the equivalent English phonics on the right for each of the Hmong word. For
example, the Hmong vowel a = ah in English, zoo = zhong in English and lo = law in English.
Hmong
English
phonics
Hmong
English
phonics
Hmong
English
phonics
Hmong
English
phonics
a
ah
zoo
zhong
mia
mia
lo
law
ai
ua
so
ua
au
w
au
w
naw
ne
ma
de
i
ee
w
ee
ia
daw
do
maw
u
ai
oo
ai
no
nia
ne
via
oo
o
yu
ia
sau
lau
moo
xo
w
aw
ua
au
ze
w
w
aw
yee
yo
ye
ya
aw
yoo
ee
o
ai
e
aw
oo
ia
i
ai
e
ha
loo
nia
xoo
ua
ua
aw
ua
fau
fw
fo
nw
Review Hmong Vowels
How many vowels are in the Hmong language? ____________.
Hmong vowel English phonics
1. _________ (ah)
4. _________ (er)
7. _________ (ee)
10. _________ (ong)
13. _________ (ew)
Hmong vowel English phonics Hmong vowel
2. _________ (ai)
3. _________
5. _________ (ay)
6. _________
8. _________ (ia)
9. _________
11. _________ (oo)
12. _________
English phonics
(ao)
(eng)
(awe)
(oua)
Hmong words: Sau (shao) means to write, ya (yah) means to fly, zoo (zhong) = good.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
16
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
Hmong Tones
What is a tone? A tone is a pitch stressed with a particular word or a syllable of word. For
example, the English word “yo-yo” has two pitches or tones – “YO-yo”, high pitch to low pitch
respectively. A tone is then similar to the English musical notes “Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti.” With
that said, we are going to use the first note “Do”, spelled “Doe” from here on, and we are going to
assign this “Doe” pitch to the Hmong S tone – the mid tone in Hmong.
day deng dee dia
daw dong doo doua dew
1 English phonics dah dai dao der
2
Hmong word
das
dais daus
daws des
3
Phonics
mah
mai
mer
4
Hmong
mas
mais maus maws mes mees mis mias mos moos mus muas mws
5
Phonics
nah
nai
mao
nao
ner
dees
dis
dias
may meng mee mia
nay neng nee nia
dos
doos
dus
duas
dws
maw mong moo moua mew
naw nong
noo
nuoa new
Hmong
nas
nais naus naws nes nees nis nias nos noos nus nuas nws
6
If without the “S” tone, words “dai and dia” would have the same spelling and pronunciation in
both Hmong and English. The Hmong word “dai” means to hang, and “dia” means a spoon, i.e.,
ib dia mov – a spoon of rice. The “S” tone has the pitch of the “a-” of the English word “a-bout”
which is has the same pitch like the musical note “Doe” mentioned above.
Hmong English Hmong English Hmong English Hmong English Hmong English
daws to untie dos
onion
mis
milk
mos
young mus
to go
Single Consonants and Vowels
Below is a table with single consonants and the 13 vowels with the “S” tone – Doe (a-) pitch.
ai
ao
er
ay eng ee
ia
aw ong oo oua
w
English ah
1
bas
bais baus baws
bes
bees
bis
bias
bos
boos
bus
buas bws
2
cas
cais caus
caws
ces
cees
cis
cias
cos
coos
cus
cuas cws
3
das
dais daus daws
des
dees
dis
dias
dos
doos dus
duas dws
4
fas
fais
faws
fes
fees
fis
fias
fos
foos
fus
fuas
5
gas
gais gaus gaws
ges
gees
gis
gias
gos
goos
gus
guas gws
6
has
hais haus haws
hes
hees
his
hias
hos
hoos
hus
huas hws
7
jas
jais
jaws
jes
jees
jis
jias
jos
joos
jus
juas
8
kas
kais kaus kaws
kes
kees
kis
kias
kos
koos
kus
kuas kws
9
las
lais
les
lees
lis
lias
los
loos
lus
luas
faus
jaus
laus
laws
fws
jws
lws
10
mas mais maus maws mes mees mis
mias mos moos mus muas mws
11
nas
nais naus naws
nes
nees
nis
nias
nos
noos
nus
nuas nws
12
pas
pais paus paws
pes
pees
pis
pias
pos
poos
pus
puas pws
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
17
13
qas
qais qaus qaws
qes
qees
qis
qias
qos
qoos qus
quas qws
14
ras
rais
raus
raws
res
rees
ris
rias
ros
roos
rus
ruas
15
sas
sais
saus
saws
ses
sees
sis
sias
sos
soos
sus
suas sws
16
tas
tais
taus
taws
tes
tees
tis
tias
tos
toos
tus
tuas
17
vas
vais vaus vaws
ves
vees
vis
vias
vos
voos vus
vuas vws
18
xas
xais xaus xaws
xes
xees
xis
xias
xos
xoos xus
xuas
xws
19
yas
yais yaus
yes
yees
yis
yias
yos
yoos yus
yuas
yws
yaws
rws
tws
20
zas zais zaus zaws zes zees zis zias zos zoos zus zuas zws
Okay, I hope you have mastered the “S” tone by now because we are going to add two more tones
to this boring “Doe” pitch. These two tones have the highest and lowest pitches in the Hmong
language, and the closest English word that has these two pitches is the English word “YO-yo.”
The first syllable “YO-” has the higher pitch and that is equivalent to the Hmong tone “B” – cim
Siab. The second syllable “-yo” has the lower pitch which is equivalent to the Hmong tone “M” –
cim Niam. Now let's say this English word “YO-yo” a few times from high to low pitches. Now
read the table below starting from the left column, YO-, -yo, then niab, niam to lab and lam.
Then read by row starting from syllable YO-, niab, nab to lab – b tone, and then “-yo” row from
-yo, niam to lam. Try saying the word “YO-yo” with much higher and lower pitches than usual.
Tone
Pitch
Hmong words with b and m tones
nia
English Phonics
nah nay noo
1
highest -b YO- niab nab
2
lowest -m -yo
nee
dia
dah day
doua daw
deng lah
duab
dob
deeb lab
duam dom
deem lam
neb
nub
nib
diab
dab
deb
niam nam nem
num
nim
diam
dam dem
Hmong words with b and m tones
Phonics - pitch
ah
3
Ab Yab
YO-
-b
yah
ay yay yee
yia
Eb yeb
yiab yawb yoob
yib
yer
yong yao
yaub
yaw
yeng yai
yob
yeeb
yaib
yeem yaim
4
-yo -m
Am Yam Em yem yim yiam yawm yoom yaum yom
Now let's add the mid tone S in between the cim Siab (b) and the cim Niam (m). Now read each column
from top to bottom, i.e., “YO-, Doe, and -yo” and then “niab, nias, niam” etc...
5
Tone
highest -b
Pitch
YO- niab nab
Hmong words with b, s, and m tones
neb nub nib diab dab deb duab
dob deeb
lab
6
mid
Doe nias nas
nes nus
dos
las
-s
nis
dias
das
des
duas
dees
7 lowest -m -yo niam nam nem num nim diam dam dem duam dom deem lam
The word dab means a ghost and dam means to brake or is broken. We now can put Hmong tone
markers on the English word “yo-yo” like this: yob-yom.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
18
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
Please fill in the correct tones for the Hmong words on the right column for each English pitch on
the left, syllable, column using our new word “a-YO-yo” – a- = s tone, YO- = b, -yo = m tone.
Pitch Tone Word
Pitch Word Pitch
Word Pitch
Word
Pitch
Word
mus
YO- na__
-yo
de__
ame__
-yo
no__
as
YO-
b
siab
a-
na__
YO-
de__
YO-
me__
a-
no__
-yo
na__
ade__
-yo
me__
YOno__
-yo
m niam
See if you can pronounce this Hmong writing, “dis laim” – English phonics: dee lai. Well, these
two words are Lao words and it means “very good”, and xab npais dis (xah bai dee) means
“hello or hi” in English. Peb mus ua si (-pay moo oua shee) = We go play.
Now let's use just the three tone markers and see if you are still able to read the following words.
mus
dab nam
yeb
dem
yas
meb lom
hib
mus nom
1 ah
as
2
YO-
yaub
siab
dam
nas
yem
des
yam
mes
los
his
mub
nob
3
-yo
nab
yes
deb
yab mem lob
him
yaum niam das
Now let's learn some simple words that have these three tones.
mum
nos
Some of these words do have multiple meanings, however.
Hmong
(English phonics)
mus (moo)
to go
4
5
hais (hai)
6
English
19
Hmong
tob (-taw)
English
deep
to say or speak
20
mem (may) pen or pencil
paub (-pao)
to know
21
nom (naw) an official
7
pom (-paw)
to see
22
pib (-pee)
8
los (law)
to come, to return
23
kim (-kee) expensive
9
deb (day)
far
24
kib (-kee)
to fry
10
dib (dee)
cucumber
25
kis (-kee)
gap, to spread into
11
dam (dah)
to break
26
lis (lee)
to take care or work on
12
lem (lay)
to turn
27
lim (lee)
to filter
13
teb (-tay)
to answer, respond
28
nab (nah)
14
cem
to yell, scold
29
tam (-tah) to reserve (without pay)
15
ces
then
30
tas (-tah)
done, finished, complete
16
peb (-pay)
we, three
31
lom (law)
to poison
17
tos (-taw)
to wait for
32
lob (law)
to grab or take
18
tom (-taw)
to bite, allege, accuse
33
zes (zhay)
a nest
begin, start
snake, here
Peb mus (-pay moo) = We go. Peb tos (-pay -taw) = We wait. Peb los (-pay law) = We come.
Peb paub (-pay -pao) = We know. Nab tom (nah -taw) = Snake bites. deb deb (day day) = far far.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
19
Well, with just three tones, we can't really create any meaningful Hmong songs so let's add two
more tones, and their pitches are similar to the English word “section.” Now, let's say this word
“SEC-tion” like this: “SEC-” with an upward (rising) pitch, and then “-tion!” with a downward
or falling pitch. The “SEC-” pitch is similar to the Hmong “V” tone – cim Kuv, and the “-tion”
pitch is similar to the “G” tone – cim Neeg. So say this word “SEC-tion” a few times. Now add
the Hmong tones to this English word secv -tiong but read it the same way as in English still.
Now read the following table, from left column “SEC-” to “-tion”, “nav nag” and “nev neg” to the
last column. Then read by row, starting “SEC-, nav, nev” to “lov”, and then “-tion”, nag to log.
No
Pitch Tone
Hmong words with v and g tones
1
SEC-
v
nav
nev
nov
duv
mev
div
nuv
liv
tiv
dev
deev lov
2
-tion
g
nag
neg
nog
dug
meg
dig
nug
lig
tig
deg
deeg log
Pitch
Now please fill in the appropriate Hmong tone markers.
Pitch
Word
Pitch
Word
Pitch
Word
Word
Pitch
Word
SEC-
muv
-tion
na__
SEC-
de__
SEC-
me__
-tion
no__
-tion
mug
SEC-
na__
-tion
de__
-tion
me__
SEC-
no__
Below, read columns from left to right, i.e., YO-, -yo, Doe, SEC-, -tion. Then da b, dam, das, dav, and
dag. Then read by row, i.e., YO-, dab, daib to dwb.
English phonics
dah
dai
dao
der
day deng dee
dia
daw doo dew
3
YO-
b
dab
daib
deb
deeb
dib
diab
dob
dub
dwb
4
-yo
m
dam
daim daum dawm dem
deem
dim
diam
dom
dum
dwm
5
Re
–
da
dai
dau
daw
de
dee
di
dia
do
du
dw
6
Doe
s
das
dais
daus
daws
des
dees
dis
dias
dos
dus
dws
7
SEC-
v
dav
daiv
dauv
dawv
dev
deev
div
diav
dov
duv
dwv
8
-tion
g
dag
daig
daug
dawg
deg
deeg
dig
diag
dog
dug
dwg
No
Pitch
daub dawb
Tone
Hmong words with b, v, s, g and m tones
9
YO-
b
dab
daib
daub dawb
deb
deeb
dib
diab
dob
dub
dwb
10
SEC-
v
dav
daiv
dauv
dawv
dev
deev
div
diav
dov
duv
dwv
11
Re
–
da
dai
dau
daw
de
dee
di
dia
do
du
dw
12
Doe
s
das
dais
daus
daws
des
dees
dis
dias
dos
dus
dws
13
-tion
g
dag
daig
daug
dawg
deg
deeg
dig
diag
dog
dug
dwg
14
-yo
m
dam daim daum dawm dem deem dim diam dom dum dwm
dav (dah) = wide. dag (dah) = lie, tease, joke. dawb (der) = white, free. dib (dee) = cucumber.
peb dag (-pay dah) = we lie or we are joking. dev dub (day doo) = dog black.
peb yuav los (-pay youa law) = we will come. dev dag peb (day dah -pay) = dog lie us.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
20
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
Okay, now you have learned five tones out of eight so let's learn some Hmong words that have
these tones. Read each by row from left to right, and then by column from top to bottom.
No
Hmong English
Hmong English Hmong English Hmong
English Hmong English
1
dab
ghost
deb
far
zes
nest
tuab
thick
teeb
light
2
dav
wide
dev
dog
pev
up there
tuav
to hold
ceev
fast
3
pas
a stick
nas
squirrel
los
to come
muas
to buy
lees
to admit
4
dag
to lie
nag
rain
tag
done
muag
to sell
tuag
to die
5
dam
to break
hem
scare
pam
blanket muam
sister
tuam
to kick
The last two tones you are going to learn are very simple. The first one is similar to the
musical note “Re” – cim Zoo (zhong). This tone has no marker; therefore, any words ending
with just vowels, i.e., zoo, ua, pa, dua etc... means they have the “Re” musical pitch. The
other tone is equivalent to the English word “hey!” or any interjection words, i.e., you! This is
called the “J” tone – cim Koj (-kaw!).
No
Pitch Tone
English phonics
doo!
dai!
dao!
Hmong words with j and blank tones
der! day! deng! dee! dia! daw! dong! doua!
6
hey!
j
duj
daij
dauj
dawj
dej
deej
dij
diaj
doj
dooj
duaj
7
“Re”
blank
du
dai
dau
daw
de
dee
di
dia
do
doo
dua
The word dej (day!) means water, and de means to pinch. Below is a table which has the seven tones.
First, read by column starting from left to right, and then by row from top to bottom.
No
Pitch Tone
8
YO-
b
dab
daib
daub
Hmong words with the seven tones
dawb deb
deeb
dib
diab
dob
9
hey!
j
daj
daij
dauj
dawj
dej
deej
dij
diaj
doj
duj
dwj
10
SEC-
v
dav
daiv
dauv
dawv
dev
deev
div
diav
dov
duv
dwv
11
“Re”
---
da
dai
dau
daw
de
dee
di
dia
do
du
dw
12
“Doe”
s
das
dais
daus
daws
des
dees
dis
dias
dos
dus
dws
13
-tion
g
dag
daig
daug
dawg
deg
deeg
dig
diag
dog
dug
dwg
dub
dwb
14
-yo
m
dam daim daum dawm dem deem dim
diam dom
dum dwm
Now you have learned the seven tones that cover most of the Hmong words. The only tone left is the D
tone which you will learn later. To learn the Hmong tones, try to memorize this Hmong line:
English Pitch: Hey!
Hmong Tone:
Koj
English phonics:
-kaw
Meaning:
you
Doe
Mus
moo
go
SECKuv
-koo
my
-yo
-tion YORe
n/a
Niam Neeg
Siab
Zoo Tod
nia
neng
shia
zhong -taw
mom person heart good there
In other words: You go to my good mother over there.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
Phrase to remember:
Equivalent English phonics:
21
Koj Mus
-kaw! moo
Kuv
-koo
Niam Neeg Siab Zoo
nia
neng shia zhong
siaB – shia
Tod
-taw
The problem I noticed with
some English speakers is that
they start the Hmong word
with the mid tone and
then they try to change to
the proper tone afterward.
Therefore, train yourself to
start with the right tone, i.e.,
B is a high tone so you start
high right away. This is like
saying “YO-” initially and
not “yo-” and try to rise.
For example, the Hmong
word “nej” is like English
“nay!” and not “nay-AY!”
koJ – kaw!
zoo – zhong
kuV – koo
muS – moo
neeG – neng
niaM – nia
Looking at the graph of tones above you see that the highest tone is the B which is equivalent to
the syllable “YO-” of the word YO-yo. And the lowest possible pitch you can make is the M tone
which is equivalent to the second syllable “-yo”. And the mid tone is the S which I put it at 50%
pitch between tones B and M. So the S tone has the equivalent pitch of the musical note “Doe.”
Branching from this S mid tone are the G and V tones that we have learned earlier, and that the V
tone is equivalent to the syllable “SEC-” and the G tone is equivalent to the syllable “-tion” of the
word “sec-tion.” The G tone starts roughly from the S tone, but it falls downward similar to the
syllable “-tion.” The V tone starts from the S tone but it rises upward like the syllable “SEC-”
The next tone is the “blank” tone which has no markers after the vowels. This tone is very close
to the pitch of the musical note “Re.” The last tone is the J and its pitch is very close to the word
“hey!” – interjection words that is. Now let's put these tone markers or pitches into an English
phrase to see if we can compare them to the Hmong tones. Try to read the following words by
column and then by row.
English Pitch:
Hmong Tone:
Hmong na (nah):
Hmong ne (day):
Hey!
Doe
SEC-
-yo
-tion
YO–
Koj
Mus
Kuv
Niam
Neeg
Siab
naj
dej
nas
des
nav
dev
nam
dem
nag
deg
nab
deb
Re
Zoo
na
de
I hope these examples help you learn the Hmong tones. Just think of the Hmong tone markers,
the last non-vowel letters, like the ending letters in the English words. For example: Let, led etc...
The Hmong tone markers, for example: Leb, lem etc... The D tone is nothing more than starting
with the M tone and then rise or end quickly with the V tone, i.e., tod = tom + ov (tom-ov).
I see you (ais xis yus – Hmong spelling and phonics). You see me (yus xis mis). I see many
(ais xis meb-nis). How many (haus meb-nis). Kuv zoo siab (-koo zhong shia) = I am happy.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
22
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
Hmong Tone Markers on English Words
To help you understand the Hmong tones, we are going to refer to some English words that have
similar pitches. In other words, the English word yo-yo will be written with Hmong tone markers
as yob-yom which is – YO-yo – high to low pitches.
English
offer
don't
do
purple
sick
for sure
I like you.
hey!
hello
poor me
you too
paper
after
lucky
many
how
stopping
Hmong phonics
ov-fawm
dooj-rwg
dus
phawb-poem
xiv-kwg
fos suaj
ais laiv yus
hej
heb-loes
phuaj mis
yus thuj
pheb-pawm
av-fwg-taws
lav-kim
meb-nis
haus
xas-tov-pees
English word with Hmong tone marker
ofv-ferm
As you can see English is somewhat a
dontj
s
tonal language, too. The thing you
do
don't realize is that the pitch can
b
m
pur -ple
be slightly off and people still can
v
seek
understand because of its content.
fors surej
For example, if you say “you too”
Is likev yous
like “youm toob” – lowest to
heyj
highest pitch, most people will
helb-los
have a hard time understanding.
poorj mes
But if you say yous tooj
yous tooj
people will know.
pab-perm
afv-ters
Just think of a tonal language like a
lucv-kym
song, you have to sing each word as
mab-nys
close to the correct pitch or tone as
hows
possible, i.e., Doe Re
svs
s -top ping
Hmong word: haus me = drink little
Practice reading the following words, k, p and t are soft like in words spy, sky, stay etc...
Pitch → “Re”
d + ai = dai
f + ai = fai
h + ai = hai
k + ai = kai
l + ai = lai
m + ai = mai
n + ai = nai
p + ai = pai
s + ai = sai
t + ai = tai
v + ai = vai
x + ai = xai
y + ai = yai
z + ai = zai
hey!
daij
faij
haij
kaij
laij
maij
naij
paij
saij
taij
vaij
xaij
yaij
zaij
Doe
dais
fais
hais
kais
lais
mais
nais
pais
sais
tais
vais
xais
yais
zais
SECdaiv
faiv
haiv
kaiv
laiv
maiv
naiv
paiv
saiv
taiv
vaiv
xaiv
yaiv
zaiv
-yo
daim
faim
haim
kaim
laim
maim
naim
paim
saim
taim
vaim
xaim
yaim
zaim
-tion
daig
faig
haig
kaig
laig
maig
naig
paig
saig
taig
vaig
xaig
yaig
zaig
YOdaib
faib
haib
kaib
laib
maib
naib
paib
saib
taib
vaib
xaib
yaib
zaib
Re
dai
fai
hai
kai
lai
mai
nai
pai
sai
tai
vai
xai
yai
zai
m+v
daid
faid
haid
kaid
laid
maid
naid
paid
said
taid
vaid
xaid
yaid
zaid
The English word “die” would be written in Hmong phonically as “dais”, and the English word
“do” would be written as “dus”, and “never” would be written as “neb-vawm.”
I saw you before (ais xos yus bis-foj in Hmong phonics). I hear you (ais hiaj yus).
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Learn Hmong the Jay Way
23
Let's Learn Some Basic Conversation
Say the -k as in word sky (-ky), -p as in word spy (-py), -t as in word stay (-tay)
Hmong
Nyob zoo.
English
Hi or hello.
nyaw zhong
Koj hu li cas?
You are called what?
-kaw hoo lee chah
What is your name?
Koj yog xeem ab tsi?
Hmong
Nyob zoo ohs.
English
Hi or hello.
nyaw zhong awe
Hi there.
Kuv hu ua Dib.
I am called Dee.
-koo hoo oua dee
My name is Dee.
You are last name what? Kuv yog xeem Yaj. I am a Yang.
-kaw yaw seng ah chee
What is your last name?
Hos koj
How about you?
ne?
haw -kaw nay
-koo yaw seng
yah
Kuv yog xeem Lis.
-koo yaw seng lee
My last name is Yang.
I am a Lee.
My last name is Lee.
Koj nyob qhov twg tuaj? You live where come? Kuv nyob hauv your city. I live in your city.
-kaw nyaw qaw -tew -toua
Where are you from?
Koj muaj pes tsawg xyoo?
-kaw moua -pay cher
-koo nyaw hao
You are how many years?
How old are you?
syong (see-yong) – refer to the Hmong xy consonant page.
Kuv muaj peb caug xyoo.
I am 30 years.
Hos koj ne?
-koo moua -pay chao syong
I am 30 years old.
haw -kaw nay
Kuv laus laus lawm.
-koo lao
lao
I am old old already. Tsis tau laus.
ler
I am very old already.
Zoo siab tau ntsib koj.
zhong shia -tao jee
See you again.
Mus zoo koj.
Sure, you too okay.
Ua li ohs.
doua
-kaw tia
I am the same.
-koo law -tee yah
Same with me.
Goodbye to you.
moo zhong -kaw
Aws, koj thiab nawb.
er,
Not old yet.
chee -tao lao
Happy to meet you. Kuv los tib yam.
-kaw
Sis ntsib dua.
she jee
How about you?
ner
Goodbye.
Okay.
oua lee awe
Some Basic Phrases
You do what?
Koj puas paub?
Koj ua ab tsi?
-kaw oua ah chee
What are you doing?
Kuv tsis paub.
I don't know.
-koo chee -pao
You do know?
-kaw -poua -pao
Do you know?
Kuv paub.
I know.
-koo -pao
Kuv xav mus.
I want to go.
-koo sah moo
Kuv xav paub.
I would like to go.
I want to know.
-koo sah -pao
I would like to know.
Koj mus qhov twg? You go where?
Kuv mus ua hauj lwm. I go do work.
-kaw moo qaw
-koo moo
-tew
Where are you going?
oua hao lew
Koj puas xav mus? You want to go?
Kuv xav thiab.
-kaw -poua sah moo
-koo sah tia
Do you want to go?
Koj puas paub lus Askiv?
-kaw -poua -pao
loo ah-kee
-koo -pao
I know very little.
law -pay -ker
Ua tsaug.
oua chao
I do or I want to, too.
Do you know English?
I know little little. Hos koj ne?
Los peb kawm lus Hmoob.
I would like to, too.
You know language English?
Kuv paub me me.
may may
I go to work.
haw -kaw nay
Come we learn Hmong.
loo Hmong
Thank you.
Come we study Hmong.
Tsis ua li cas.
chee oua lee chah
How about you?
And you?
Ua li.
Okay.
oua lee
Not a problem.
Never mind.
Hmong vowel(English sound), a(ah) ai(ai) au(ao) aw(er) e(ay) ee(eng) i(ee) ia(ia) o(aw) oo(ong) u(oo) ua(oua) w(ew)
© 2012-2016 Jay Xiong
Hmong tone markers: koJ muS kuV niaM neeG siaB zoo toD
Thank you for your interest to
learn the Hmong language.
This book has 210 pages and it comes
with many MP3 to help you learn
better and faster.
This revision has 8 new pages
added to the original as well as many
updates to help you learn better.
*** Sis ntsib dua ***
she
jee
doua
See you again