viên ngoại
[viən˧˧ ŋwaːj˧˨ʔ]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) minor official position in ancient royal ministries
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) honorific title granted to wealthy notables
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(noun) a wealthy person without any official positions
Examples
固茹員外户王
家資擬拱常常堛中There was a respectable townsman with the surname Vương.
Of modest wealth, he belonged to the middle class of society.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “viên ngoại” mean?
(noun) minor official position in ancient royal ministries
Is “viên ngoại” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.