kiêu binh

kiêu binh is a Vietnamese historical noun for arrogant, unruly soldiers—people whose pride in their service or past exploits makes them hard to control. It is more specific than simply saying “soldiers,” and it carries a sense of military disorder, not just a bad attitude. In this lesson, we look at why kiêu binh often refers to a group or force, how it differs from neutral binh lính and the adjective kiêu căng, and why phrases like kiêu binh nổi loạn matter in historical contexts. Watch the full lesson to learn how to recognize this word naturally in Vietnamese texts.