mại
Definition
Verb (Informal):
- To sell: The primary informal meaning of "mại" is to exchange goods for money. It is a colloquial, shortened form of "bán".
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.