ngài

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ŋaːj˨˩]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ŋaːj˦˩]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [ŋaːj˨˩]

Inherited from Proto-Vietic *ŋaːj, from Proto-Mon-Khmer *[m]ŋaaj (“human being; person”). Cognate with Muong ngài. Doublet of người and ngươi.

ngài • (𠊚, 𠊛, 𠊎, 𠏥)

1. (highly formal, respectful) you
2. (highly formal, respectful) he, him
3. (highly formal, respectful, rare) she, her

• In modern Vietnamese, only reserved for those that are deemed to be of utmost importance (i.e. head of corporations, royalties or heads of state).
• The term can, but rarely, be applied to female figures in 3rd person.

ngài • (𠊚, 𠊛, 𠏥)

1. Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh form of người (“human”)

Derived from Old Chinese 蛾 (OC *ŋˤaj) (B-S) (SV: nga).

(classifier con) ngài • (𧍋)

1. moth

   Synonyms: bướm đêm, nắc nẻ

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