duyên
[zwiən˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) spiritual thread that binds people, animals, and things that are fated to come together
Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt
sợi dây tinh thần kết nối những người, động vật, vật品 định mệnh gặp nhau
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
duyên âmlink with someone in the underworld
Có duyên thì sẽ có ngày gặp lại.If fate wills it, we will meet again.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(noun) fate to meet a romantic partner
Examples
duyên vợ chồngthe fate that brings husband and wife together
㐌空縁畧庄麻 / 時之𡭧約噲縁𡢐In a previous life, she was fated to be alone. / We may hope her fate for her next life is to meet someone.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(noun) tact, charm, grace
Examples
nói năng có duyêncharmingly eloquent
Hoàn cảnh này mà vẫn không quên giữ duyên.With this situation and still she remembered to maintain her grace.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “duyên” mean?
(noun) spiritual thread that binds people, animals, and things that are fated to come together
Is “duyên” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.