Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Be in the process of, currently: Indicates an action or state that is happening at the present moment.
   • Take on the responsibility of, be in charge of: Indicates holding a position or undertaking a duty.

Usage Examples

• Adverb (Be in the process of):
  • Ông ấy đương làm việc. (He is working.)
  • Cô ấy đương học tiếng Anh. (She is studying English.)
• Adverb (Take on the responsibility of):
  • Ông ấy đương chức vụ giám đốc. (He holds the position of director.)
  • Người đương nhiệm. (The incumbent / The person currently in office.)

Advanced Usage

• "đương kim": current, reigning, presently holding (a title or position).
  • đương kim vô địch (the reigning champion)
• "đương thời": contemporary, of that time/era.
  • những nhà văn đương thời (contemporary writers)
• "đương nhiên": naturally, of course, as a matter of course.
  • Điều đó là đương nhiên. (That is natural/of course.)
• "đương đầu": to confront, to face (a challenge or opponent).
  • đương đầu với khó khăn (to confront difficulties)

Variants and Related Words

• Đang: The more common and standard modern form meaning "in the process of". "Đương" is often considered a variant or a more literary/formal form of "đang" for the first meaning (be in the process of).
• Đương đại (adj): contemporary, modern (often used in arts and culture).
  • nghệ thuật đương đại (contemporary art)
• Đương sự (n): the person concerned, the party involved (in a case or matter).
  • các đương sự trong vụ kiện (the parties involved in the lawsuit)
• Đương số (n, literary): one's current lifespan or fate.

Synonyms

• Đang: currently, in the process of (for the first meaning).
• Hiện đang: is currently (more emphatic).
• Giữ (chức vụ): to hold (a position) (for the second meaning).
• Đảm nhiệm: to undertake, to assume (a responsibility).

Notes on Usage

• In modern spoken Vietnamese, "đang" is almost universally used for the meaning "be in the process of". "Đương" in this sense is found more in older texts, poetry, or formal/legal contexts.
• The meaning "take on the responsibility of" (e.g., ) remains in active use, particularly in formal titles and administrative language.
• The word "đương" is a key component in many compound words (like those listed in Advanced Usage and Variants), where its meaning contributes to the whole but the compound is treated as a separate lexical unit.

1. như đang Be in the process of
   • như đang Take on the responsibility of