Vietnamese

[ vee-et-nah-meez, -mees, -nuh-, vyet-, vee-it- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Vietnam or its inhabitants.

noun

, plural Vi·et·nam·ese.

1. Formerly Annamese,. the Austroasiatic language of Vietnam.
2. Sometimes Offensive. a native or inhabitant of Vietnam.

Sensitive Note

Some words that describe national or ethnic identities are acceptable as plural nouns, but are either rare or offensive in the singular. This is the case for Vietnamese. It’s sometimes acceptable as a plural noun (a candidate favored by Vietnamese ). However, it's sometimes offensive as a singular noun (the candidate who is a Vietnamese ). Such words are always perfectly appropriate as adjectives (strategies to get Vietnamese voters to the polls).

Other Words From

• an·ti-Vi·et·nam·ese adjective noun plural antiVietnamese
• pro-Vi·et·nam·ese adjective noun plural proVietnamese

Word History and Origins

Origin of Vietnamese¹

First recorded in 1945–50; Vietnam + -ese

Example Sentences

Tran, a first-time candidate, is hoping to be the first Vietnamese American candidate to represent the Congressional district that includes Little Saigon.

From Los Angeles Times

Perea said he was proud of the work he and other activists, including Latino and Vietnamese advocacy groups, pulled together to put the measure on the ballot.

From Los Angeles Times

Tran aimed to resonate with Vietnamese American voters, an important voting bloc in the district, by sharing his story as the son of Vietnamese refugees.

From Los Angeles Times

Both candidates have been fighting hard for older Vietnamese residents who have traditionally supported the Republican Party.

From Los Angeles Times

Vince Nguyen has dedicated the last few years of his life to popularizing Vietnamese coffee across L.A. and Orange County, and now he’s making it even easier to enjoy at home.

From Los Angeles Times