nhài

See also: nhai, nhái, nhãi, and nhại

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

  • (Hà Nội) IPA(key): [ɲaːj˨˩]
  • (Huế) IPA(key): [ɲaːj˦˩]
  • (Saigon) IPA(key): [ɲaːj˨˩]
  • Audio (Hà Nội):(file)

Etymology 1

Ultimately from Sanskrit मल्लि (malli, “jasmine”), perhaps through Chinese 茉莉 (mạt lị, “jasmine”). The reduction of the first syllable can also be seen in Khmer ម្លិះ (mlih, “jasmine”).

Attested as mlài in the Dictionarium Annamiticum Lusitanum et Latinum (1651).

Alternative forms

  • (Central Vietnam, Southern Vietnam) lài

Noun

(classifier cây, hoa, bông) nhài • (𣔦, 𦲒, 𦹹)

  1. (Northern Vietnam) jasmine
  2. (Northern Vietnam) paper fan pin (fastening slats, originally jasmine-shaped)

Etymology 2

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

nhài

  1. (archaic, historical) maid; maidservant; abigail
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