con mái

Definitions
  1. Noun:
    • A female animal: Specifically refers to a female bird or poultry. It can also be used more broadly for other female animals, especially in a domestic or farming context.
    • A hen: The most common and specific meaning, referring to a female chicken.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • Con gà mái đang đẻ trứng. (The hen is laying eggs.)
    • Trong đàn vịt, con mái thường nhỏ hơn con trống. (In a flock of ducks, the female is usually smaller than the male.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Con mái" vs. "Con cái": While "con cái" is a general term for offspring or children, "con mái" is specifically zoological, denoting the female of a species, particularly birds. It is not used for humans.
    • "Con mái" chỉ động vật, không dùng cho người. ("Con mái" refers to animals, not humans.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Mái (noun/adjective): Can function as a noun meaning "female (animal)" or an adjective meaning "female". Often used in compound animal names.

    • gà mái (hen), vịt mái (female duck), chó mái (female dog - less common, "chó cái" is standard).

  • Con trống (noun): The male counterpart, meaning a male animal or specifically a rooster.

    • gà trống (rooster)
Synonyms
  • Gà mái (n): Hen. This is a more specific compound term.
  • Con cái (n): Female animal. This is a more general zoological term. Note: "Con cái" primarily means "children/offspring".
Notes on Meaning
  • The word is inherently specific to the animal kingdom. Its primary and most unambiguous use is for poultry (hens).
  • It is rarely used alone for mammals; for mammals like dogs, cats, or cows, the standard terms are "con cái" (e.g., - cow) or specific words like "nái" (for female pigs). Using "con mái" for mammals can sound colloquial or regional.
  • It is never used to refer to human females.