Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small tray: A shallow, often lidded container or tray, traditionally used to hold betel leaves, areca nuts, and lime for the custom of betel chewing.
   • A plant: A type of plant with small, long leaves, used to dye fabric a dark yellow-green color or to make fish bait.

2. Verb:

   • To raise or heighten: To increase the height or level of something by building or adding material on top of it.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Bà cụ mở nắp cơi trầu. (The old lady opened the lid of the betel tray.)
  • Màu vải này được nhuộm bằng lá cây cơi. (This fabric is dyed with the leaves of the cơi plant.)

• Verb:

  • Họ dự định cơi nền nhà lên để tránh lũ. (They plan to raise the house's foundation to avoid floods.)
  • Công nhân đang cơi bờ đê thêm nửa mét. (The workers are heightening the dyke by another half meter.)

Advanced Usage

• "cơi nới": to extend or enlarge (a space, a house, a regulation).
  • Gia đình anh ấy vừa cơi nới căn bếp. (His family just extended the kitchen.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cơi trầu (n): betel tray, betel box. The most common and culturally specific usage.
  • Cơi trầu bằng đồng là vật gia bảo. (The bronze betel tray is a family heirloom.)

Synonyms

• Tray (for the noun).
• Elevate, heighten, raise (for the verb).

Related Idioms

• Sâu sắc như cơi đựng trầu: (As deep as a betel tray) – A proverb describing a woman who appears gentle and quiet but is actually thoughtful, profound, and resilient. It refers to the betel tray's shallow appearance but its role in holding significant cultural items.
  • Câu tục ngữ "Đàn bà sâu sắc như cơi đựng trầu" ca ngợi vẻ đẹp tâm hồn của người phụ nữ. (The proverb "Women are as deep as a betel tray" praises the spiritual beauty of women.)

noun

1. tray
   • cơi trầu
     Betel-tray