mệnh
[məjŋ̟˧˨ʔ]
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) life
Register: formal
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(noun) fate
Register: formal
Examples
Mệnh trời khó cưỡng.It's not easy to resist fate / the Mandate of Heaven.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(noun) order from the monarch
Register: formal
Examples
Tuân mệnh/lệnh/chỉ!Roger! / As you wish, my liege!
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “mệnh” mean?
(noun) life
Is “mệnh” formal or informal?
mệnh is generally formal.