vietnamese
vietnamese — adjective
- vietnamesepositive
- more vietnamesecomparative
- most vietnamesesuperlative
1. from or connected with Vietnam — for example, its culture, food, people, or lang
from or connected with Vietnam — for example, its culture, food, people, or language
The grocery store near the station now sells Vietnamese coffee and fresh herbs.
collocation: Vietnamese coffee
Lien's grandmother taught her how to cook traditional Vietnamese spring rolls.
collocation: traditional Vietnamese spring rolls
There is a Vietnamese community centre near the park where families meet on weekends.
The museum has a new exhibition of Vietnamese silk paintings from the early 20th century.
The chef prepared a delicious Vietnamese noodle soup called pho for the guests.
collocation: Vietnamese noodle soup
- Vietnamese + [culture, food, coffee, language, community, art, cuisine, people]
Usage Note
This adjective is used before a noun (attributive position) — for example, 'Vietnamese food', 'Vietnamese culture'. It cannot stand alone as a predicate adjective describing a person.
Common Mistakes
vietnamese — noun
- vietnamesesingular
- vietnamesesplural
1. a person who comes from Vietnam or who is a citizen of Vietnam
a person who comes from Vietnam or who is a citizen of Vietnam
Many Vietnamese living abroad return home during Tet, the Lunar New Year festival.
phrase: Vietnamese living abroad
Hana met a Vietnamese from Ho Chi Minh City at the language exchange event.
pattern: a Vietnamese from [place]
The restaurant was started by a Vietnamese who moved to London ten years ago.
A group of Vietnamese students at the university organised a cultural fair.
- a Vietnamese from [place]
- Vietnamese living/residing [somewhere]
- Viet
shorter informal form, sometimes considered dated or poetic; avoid in neutral contexts
Usage Note
When referring to one person, 'a Vietnamese' is natural and common ('a Vietnamese', 'two Vietnamese'). Unlike some nationalities, 'Vietnamese' does not change form in the plural — you never say 'a Vietnamese person' as a required alternative, though 'Vietnamese people' is used for groups.
Common Mistakes
2. the language that serves as the official tongue of Vietnam, spoken by most resid
the language that serves as the official tongue of Vietnam, spoken by most residents and by Vietnamese communities abroad
Yael has been learning Vietnamese for two years and can now hold a short conversation.
pattern: learn Vietnamese + [duration]
The airport signs are written in both English and Vietnamese.
Christopher speaks Vietnamese at home with his family, so he grew up bilingual.
pattern: speak Vietnamese at home
Vietnamese uses the Latin alphabet with added marks for its six different tones.
- speak / learn / study Vietnamese
- in Vietnamese
- translate [something] into Vietnamese
Usage Note
As a language name, 'Vietnamese' is uncountable and takes a singular verb. It is often preceded by 'in' to indicate the medium of communication ('written in Vietnamese').
Common Mistakes
Common collocations
Etymology
First known use
1947
1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1