cái

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The Vietnamese word "cái" is a versatile word that can serve both as a noun and an adjective, and it has several meanings and usages.

Basic Meaning:

1. Noun: "Cái" can refer to a mother or a female figure in certain contexts, particularly when referring to the relationship with children or subordinates. For example, in some phrases, it can denote a mother’s responsibility for her child's behavior.

   • Example: "Mẹ con dại cái" – This phrase suggests that a mother is responsible for her child's foolishness.

2. Noun (Colloquial): It can also refer to a young girl of one’s rank or below.

   • Example: "Cháu đến rủ cái Hoa đi học" – This means "I’m calling for Hoa to go to school."

3. Noun (Culinary): "Cái" can be used in culinary contexts to refer to the mother of vinegar or other fermented substances.

   • Example: "Cái giấm" – This means "mother of vinegar."

4. Noun (Food): It can denote the solid part of liquid food.

   • Example: "Ăn cả nước lẫn cái" – This means "to eat both the liquid and the solid part of a food."

Advanced Usage:

• As an Adjective: "Cái" can also serve as a classifier for objects, especially when you want to indicate a specific item. In this usage, it is often combined with nouns.
  • Example: "Cái bàn" means "the table," where "cái" is used as a classifier for the noun "bàn" (table).

Word Variants:

• In different contexts, "cái" can change meaning based on the nouns it is paired with. For example:
  • "Cái mẻ" refers to "mother of fermented cold rice," indicating a specific type of fermentation.

Different Meanings:

• As a Pronoun: In some dialects or contexts, it can refer to something or someone of lesser status or age.

Synonyms:

• Depending on the context, synonyms may include "mẹ" (mother) when referring to motherhood or parental figures. However, synonyms can vary greatly based on how "cái" is being used (e.g., as a classifier, a noun, etc.).

Summary:

"Cái" is a multifaceted word in Vietnamese that can refer to motherhood, culinary substances, or serve as a classifier for objects.

Academic

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