nhen
[ɲɛn˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(verb) to kindle, to launch
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Ban ngày họ ngồi kín trong lòng mía, ban đêm từ rừng mía bươn về các thôn ấp nhen lại ngọn lừa phong trào.During the day they hid among the sugarcane, at night they hurried to the hamlets to kindle the fire of the movement.
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
(verb) to rise
Examples
Cảm giác tội lỗi trong lòng lại nhen lên chút ít, anh đau lòng vì cô nhiều rồi, làm thế nào mói có thể khiến anh cười?The feeling of guilt rose a little more in her; he had suffered a lot for her already, how could could she make him laugh?
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(noun) Dendrogale murina (a kind of monkey)
Common questions
What does “nhen” mean?
(verb) to kindle, to launch
Is “nhen” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.