ông già
[ʔəwŋ͡m˧˧ zaː˨˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) old man; elderly man
Register: informalConnotation: offensive or derogatory to many
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Ông già và biển cảThe Old Man and the Sea
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) old man; elderly man
Register: informalConnotation: offensive or derogatory to many
Examples
Nhìn gì hả ông già?What are you lookin' at, 'old man?
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(noun) old man (father)
Register: informalConnotation: offensive or derogatory to many
Examples
Ông già mày dạo này thế nào?How is your old man, lately?
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “ông già” mean?
(noun) old man; elderly man
Is “ông già” formal or informal?
ông già is generally informal; connotation: offensive or derogatory to many.