tệ nạn
[te˧˨ʔ naːn˧˨ʔ]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(noun) an evil that is pervasive in a certain group, usually the society
Noun
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
[...] một năm sau nhức nhối vì tệ nạn đánh bạc từ kinh đô lan ra khắp nơi làm suy đồi đạo đức, Lê Thái Tổ đã ra chỉ dụ.… One year after the advent of the unceasing gambling evils that spun from the capitol to anywhere else and caused moral degradation, Le Thai To had handed down such edict.
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 ↗
Common questions
What does “tệ nạn” mean?
(noun) an evil that is pervasive in a certain group, usually the society
Is “tệ nạn” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.