Definition

1. Noun:

   • Mother (archaic or literary): An old or literary term for "mother," often used in proverbs or traditional contexts.
   • Classifier for inanimate objects: A general classifier used before nouns to indicate a single, specific item, especially for inanimate objects.
   • Classifier for abstract concepts or actions: Used before abstract nouns or verbs to nominalize them, turning actions or qualities into concrete topics of discussion.
   • The solid part (of a dish): The main, solid ingredients in a soupy or liquid dish.
   • Banker (in gambling): The person who runs the game and holds the bank in gambling contexts.
   • Starter culture: A fermenting agent or "mother" used to make vinegar, fermented rice, etc.

2. Adjective:

   • Female: Denotes the female gender of an animal or plant.
   • Main, primary: Indicates the principal or largest part of something when used after certain nouns.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Mother):
  • Con dại cái mang. (A foolish child brings trouble to its mother.)
• Noun (Classifier for objects):
  • Cái bàn này rất đẹp. (This table is very beautiful.)
  • Tôi mua hai cái áo. (I bought two shirts.)
• Noun (Classifier for abstract concepts):
  • Cái đẹp là vĩnh cửu. (Beauty is eternal.)
  • Tôi thích cái cách cô ấy nói chuyện. (I like the way she talks.)
• Noun (Solid part of food):
  • Ăn cả nước lẫn cái. (To eat both the broth and the solid parts.)
• Noun (Banker):
  • Hắn ta làm nhà cái trong sòng bạc. (He works as the banker in the casino.)
• Adjective (Female):
  • Mèo cái (female cat)
  • Hoa cái (female flower)
• Adjective (Main):
  • Sông cái (main river, major river)
  • Ngón tay cái (thumb)

Advanced Usage

• Emphatic Marker: When placed before a noun (or a noun phrase), "cái" can add a strong emphatic or sometimes pejorative tone, highlighting a specific characteristic.
  • Cái thằng lười này! (This lazy guy! - expressing annoyance)
  • Cái ý tưởng hay quá! (What a great idea! - expressing admiration)
• Classifier for Isolated Actions: Used after a verb to indicate a single, quick instance of that action.
  • Đấm cho một cái. (To give a punch.)
  • Nghỉ một cái đã. (Take a quick break first.)

Variants and Related Words

• Con cái (n): Children, offspring.
• Đồ vật (n): Things, objects (a general word for which "cái" is often the classifier).
• Sự (n): A nominalizer for abstract events or actions, similar to one function of "cái" but often for more formal contexts.
  • sự giúp đỡ (the help/the helping)

Synonyms

• Classifiers for objects: Chiếc (often for vehicles, shirts, dresses), Quyển/Cuốn (for books).
• Female: Giống cái (female gender), Mái (for birds; e.g., - hen).
• Main: Chính (main, primary), Lớn (big, great).

Related Phrases

• Cái này/Cái kia/Cái ấy: This one/That one/That one (over there). Used to point to specific objects.
  • Tôi thích cái này. (I like this one.)
• Mọi cái: Everything.
  • Mọi cái đều ổn. (Everything is fine.)
• Cái gì?: What?
  • Anh nói cái gì? (What did you say?)

Related Idioms

• Khôn ăn cái, dại ăn nước: The wise eat the solid part (the essence), the foolish drink the broth (the superficial part). Meaning: Smart people go for the substantial value, not just the appearance.
• Con dại cái mang: A foolish child brings trouble to its mother. Meaning: Parents bear the responsibility for their children's mistakes.

noun

1. Mother
   • con dại cái mang
     the mother is responsible for the foolishness of her child
2. khẩu ngữ) (denoting a young girl of one's rank or below)
   • cháu đến rủ cái Hoa đi học
     I'm calling for Hoa to go to school with her
3. Mother, mother of vinegar
   • cái giấm
     mother of vinegar
   • cái mẻ
     mother of fermented cold rice
   • Banker (trong đám bạc)
     Solid part (of liquid food)
   • ăn cả nước lẫn cái
     to eat both the liquid and the solid part (of a food)

adj

1. None