quý

See also: quy, Quý, quỷ, and Quy

Vietnamese

Alternative forms

  • quí
  • (Southern Vietnam, obsolete) quới

Pronunciation

  • (Hà Nội) IPA(key): [kwi˧˦]
  • (Huế) IPA(key): [kwɪj˨˩˦]
  • (Saigon) IPA(key): [wɪj˦˥]
  • Audio (Hà Nội):(file)

Etymology 1

Sino-Vietnamese word from (valuable).

Adjective

quý

  1. (of things) valuable; precious
    của quývaluable belongings
  2. (of people) that one holds honorable or respectable; important
    Hôm nay nhà mình có khách quý. Mấy đứa nhớ chào hỏi lễ phép nhá.
    We're having some important guests today. You kids don't forget to give them a cordial welcome and behave yourselves.

Verb

quý

  1. to treasure; to hold dear
    Synonym: trân trọng
    Mẹ nó quý nó lắm. Cái gì cũng chiều.
    His mom really loves him. She panders to his every whim.

Prefix

quý

  1. (honorific, only in fixed expressions) honorific prefix
    quý ông; quý ngàia gentleman
    quý bàa lady
    quý vịsir; ma'am; everyone; you; our honorable audience
    Kính thưa quý vị và các bạn.
    Dear our treasured audience.
    quý ông bà anh chị emhonorable audience
    Quý khách có muốn dùng gì nữa không ạ?
    Is there anything else you would like, sir/ma'am/our honorable customers?
Usage notes
  • Used quite similarly to Japanese (o, go), although not as broadly applicable.
Derived terms

See also

Etymology 2

Sino-Vietnamese word from .

Noun

quý

  1. (of a year) quarter
    thành tích quý 1first quarter achievements
    nhân viên của quýemployee of the quarter

See also