Definition

Noun: 1. Buddhist nun: A woman who has been ordained and lives according to the monastic rules of Buddhism. This is the primary, formal meaning. 2. Elderly female Buddhist devotee: An older woman who is a frequent and devout visitor to pagodas or temples, often involved in religious activities and support. This is a common, colloquial usage. 3. (Regional/Dialectal) Maternal grandmother: In some regions of Vietnam, this term is used affectionately to refer to one's maternal grandmother.

Usage Examples

• As a Buddhist nun:
  • Cô ấy đã xuất gia và trở thành một bà vãi. (She has ordained and become a Buddhist nun.)
  • Các bà vãi trong chùa đang tụng kinh. (The nuns in the pagoda are chanting sutras.)
• As an elderly devotee:
  • Nhóm bà vãi trong làng thường xuyên đi chùa vào ngày rằm. (The group of elderly devotees in the village regularly goes to the pagoda on the full moon day.)
  • "Bơ bải bà vãi lên chùa" là một câu tục ngữ quen thuộc. ("Bơ bải bà vãi lên chùa" is a familiar proverb.)
• As a grandmother (dialectal):
  • Cuối tuần này, chúng tôi sẽ về quê thăm bà vãi. (This weekend, we will return to our hometown to visit grandma.)

Advanced Usage & Nuances

• The term "bà vãi" carries a tone of respect, especially when referring to ordained nuns or elderly, pious women.
• In its second meaning (devotee), it often implies a person who is deeply and regularly involved in the communal religious life of the pagoda.
• The regional use for "maternal grandmother" is informal and reflects local linguistic variation.

Variants and Related Words

• Ni cô (尼姑): A more formal, Sino-Vietnamese term for a Buddhist nun. It is the standard term used in religious contexts.
• Sư cô (師姑): Another respectful term for a Buddhist nun, often used by laypeople.
• Phật tử (佛子): A Buddhist follower or devotee (can be male or female). This is a broader term than "bà vãi".
• Bà ngoại: The standard Vietnamese term for maternal grandmother.

Synonyms

• For meaning 1 (nun): Ni cô, Sư cô.
• For meaning 2 (devotee): Phật tử nữ lớn tuổi (elderly female Buddhist devotee), tín nữ (female believer).
• For meaning 3 (grandmother): Bà ngoại, ngoại (informal).

Notes on Meaning

• The primary distinction lies between the formal religious ordination (Buddhist nun) and the informal, devoted practice (elderly frequent visitor).
• The dialectal meaning (grandmother) is completely separate from the religious meanings and is tied to specific regional usage. Context is crucial for understanding.

noun

1. Buddhist nun