Warning: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is deprecated, use preg_replace_callback instead in ..../includes/class_bootstrap.php(430) : eval()'d code on line 456
Understanding Vietnamese names
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Understanding Vietnamese names

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    25

    Default Understanding Vietnamese names

    Alright fellas, I know that Vietnamese are called by their given name, which is the last. ie, Nguyen Minh Triet will be known as Mr Triet? Ah Triet? Or simply Triet?

    So what is the significance of the first name and middle name? Can I consider the first name (Nguyen) as the surname?

  2. #2
    Senior Member unnamed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    458

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ttw View Post
    Alright fellas, I know that Vietnamese are called by their given name, which is the last. ie, Nguyen Minh Triet will be known as Mr Triet? Ah Triet? Or simply Triet?

    So what is the significance of the first name and middle name? Can I consider the first name (Nguyen) as the surname?
    The correct order of vietnamese names is that we write the last name first, the first name last. So with this name like Nguyen Minh Triet: Nguyen is his last name, Triet is his first name. In english this name will be rewritten as "Triet Nguyen Minh" or "Triet Nguyen".

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    140

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by unnamed View Post
    The correct order of vietnamese names is that we write the last name first, the first name last. So with this name like Nguyen Minh Triet: Nguyen is his last name, Triet is his first name. In english this name will be rewritten as "Triet Nguyen Minh" or "Triet Nguyen".
    or Triet Minh Nguyen, Minh being the middle name

  4. #4
    Senior Member LtDra's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    1,938

    Default

    And in English: Last, first middle (or middle )

    Nguyen, Triet Minh or Nguyen, Triet M.

    don't forget the comma after last name if it goes fisrt in writing.
    Thất bại lớn nhất của đời người là tự đại
    Đáng thương nhất của đời người là tự ti.
    Tự đại + Tự ti = thất bại đáng thương nhất

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    2,278

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ttw View Post
    Alright fellas, I know that Vietnamese are called by their given name, which is the last. ie, Nguyen Minh Triet will be known as Mr Triet? Ah Triet? Or simply Triet?

    So what is the significance of the first name and middle name? Can I consider the first name (Nguyen) as the surname?

    It depend on how close you are to Mr. Triet.

    If you are his close friend, Triet is fine.

    If Triet is your future in-law, your boss, Mr. Triet is better.

    If Triet is dating your older sister, anh Triet is more appropriate.

    If you see him in a high level meeting and knowing he is fluent in English, address him as Mr. Nguyen (like English custom), unless he insists on being called Mr. Triet.

    In some case Minh-Triet could be the whole first name. Girls are more common to be named this way. In case like this, either Triet or Minh-Triet, but never Minh (unless the person wants to be calles as such).

    Nguyễn is a very common last name(surname/family name). However, I have two friends, one with first name Nguyên and one with Nguyễn .

    For middle name, don't use it to address anyone.

  6. #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    25

    Default

    So for most cases, the middle holds no meaning to it? Then why was it included? Unlike the Chinese, each character (usually three, like Vietnamese names) holds a meaning to it.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    2,278

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ttw View Post
    So for most cases, the middle holds no meaning to it? Then why was it included? Unlike the Chinese, each character (usually three, like Vietnamese names) holds a meaning to it.
    It does have meaning, but one does not use it to address its owner.

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ttw View Post
    So for most cases, the middle holds no meaning to it? Then why was it included? Unlike the Chinese, each character (usually three, like Vietnamese names) holds a meaning to it.
    Middle name is used often, last name is rarely used (unless it is on legal paper work or you really want to yell at someone because you're pissed).... It is commonly used like this: "I'm [middle name][first name]" where as first and last are used in English.
    Internet Marketer
    _________________________
    web hosting|Free hosting cho 3 tháng <= cần phải liên lạc với mình thêm để biết thêm chi tiết vì mình sẽ trả cho 3 tháng này nếu bạn đăng ký theo sự hướng dẫn của mình | host reseller|vietnamese translation

    vietnamese translation service|vietnamese translator|vietnamese translation| vietnamese interpreter

  9. #9

    Default

    bai viết hay..thank mấy bạn nhiều
    P/s:Sao mình không xem được vtv4 onlinevtc16 online trên windows phone nhỉ.

Similar Threads

  1. help for understanding sms
    By Anh_Heng in forum Translation help
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-11-2009, 07:12 PM
  2. Trouble understanding the Vietnamese language
    By 60secs in forum Translation help
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-03-2009, 10:53 AM
  3. Need Help Understanding Vietnamese Customs
    By kirkwoodgreg in forum General discussion
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 05-26-2008, 03:50 PM
  4. viet nick names - help!
    By kbui in forum General discussion
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 04-17-2008, 06:38 AM
  5. Question about Names and Translations...
    By winnyluv in forum General discussion
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 07-06-2007, 04:06 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •