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

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

The tournament sits only a couple of hours from the community where Tien grew up, the second-generation son of Vietnamese immigrants.

From Los Angeles Times

All of it was a few doors from the hardware store and a Vietnamese restaurant that we like.

From The Wall Street Journal