giặc lái
[zak̚˧˨ʔ laːj˧˦]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) American and allies' pilots who partook in the bombing of Indochina during the Vietnam War
Register: informalConnotation: offensive or derogatory to many
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Những năm kháng chiến chống Mỹ, quân và dân Quảng Bình đã đồng sức, đồng lòng, bắn rơi 704 máy bay, tiêu diệt và bắt sống 119 tên giặc lái, biệt kích Mỹ.During the years of Resistance War against America, soldiers and people of Quảng Bình have, together in unison, taken down 704 aircrafts, destroyed and captured alive 119 American enemy pilots and commandos.
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) wild driver; person who drives like crazy
Register: informalConnotation: offensive or derogatory to many
Examples
Lái xe đã sợ, người ngồi bên cạnh lại càng sợ hơn, đặc biệt khi mà tính mạng mình nằm trong tay "giặc lái"…When the driving is scary, it is even more so for the person sitting next to the driver, especially when their life is in the hands of a wild driver…
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “giặc lái” mean?
(noun) American and allies' pilots who partook in the bombing of Indochina during the Vietnam War
Is “giặc lái” formal or informal?
giặc lái is generally informal; connotation: offensive or derogatory to many.