hiên ngang
[hiən˧˧ ŋaːŋ˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(adjective) proud; haughty
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Chúng ta thành một đoàn người hiên ngangWe have become a group of proud people
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
(adverb) brazenly and/or self-confidently
Examples
Nó hiên ngang đứng trước lớp, bô bô cái mồm về mấy cái điều nghe thì có vẻ cao siêu như ra vẻ ta đây.He stood brazenly in front of the whole class, bambling on and on about some profound-sounding crap like he's some kind of intellectual.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “hiên ngang” mean?
(adjective) proud; haughty
Is “hiên ngang” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.