Vietnamese

American  

[vee-et-nah-meez, -mees, -nuh-, vyet-, vee-it-] / viˌɛt nɑˈmiz, -ˈmis, -nə-, ˌvyɛt-, ˌvi ɪt- /

adjective

1. of or relating to Vietnam or its inhabitants.

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noun

plural

Vietnamese

1. Formerly Annamite.  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 Word Forms

• anti-Vietnamese adjectiveanti-Vietnamese
• pro-Vietnamese adjectivepro-Vietnamese

Etymology

Origin of Vietnamese

First recorded in 1945–50; Vietnam + -ese

Example Sentences

Find Vietnamese cinnamon — sometimes labeled Saigon cinnamon — and bring it home.

From Salon

His career was taking off after the better part of a decade doing sets at the Comedy Store, where he was the first Vietnamese American person to work as a door guy.

From Los Angeles Times

A sign reading “Where Vietnamese coffee talks…” blinks overhead in the alley leading to this speakeasy-like cafe in the Old Quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal

The four suspects – two Belgians, a Vietnamese and a Kenyan - had pleaded guilty to the charges after their arrest in what the KWS described as "a co-ordinated, intelligence-led operation".

From BBC

It’s a seemingly insignificant move — but one that promises to substantially increase the amount of index-fund assets invested in Vietnamese equities.

From MarketWatch