Definition

1. Verb (Informal):

   • To sell: The primary informal meaning of "mại" is to exchange goods for money. It is a colloquial, shortened form of "bán".

2. Noun:

   • A type of small, soft-bodied freshwater fish: Refers to a specific species of small fish.
   • A small membrane covering the pupil (a medical condition): Refers to a pathological film or scale over the eye's pupil.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Informal):
  • Tớ đã mại cái xe đạp đi rồi. (I've already sold the bicycle.)
• Noun:
  • Cá mại thường sống ở sông. (The mại fish usually lives in rivers.)
  • Mắt nó bị vảy mại. (His eye has a pupillary membrane.)

Advanced Usage

• The verb "mại" is considered very informal and is more commonly found in casual spoken language or specific dialects. In formal writing, "bán" is always preferred.

Variants and Related Words

• Cá mại (n): The fish.
• Vảy mại (n): A medical term for a leucoma or a film over the eye.

Synonyms

• To sell (verb): vend, dispose of.
• Fish (noun): (no direct synonym, refers to a specific species).
• Eye membrane (noun): leucoma, corneal scar.

Notes on Usage

• The verb usage of "mại" is highly colloquial and may not be understood by all speakers. Learners should use the standard verb "bán" for "to sell".
• The noun forms ("cá mại", "vảy mại") are technical terms and are not commonly used in everyday conversation.