Definition

Noun: 1. Kindergarten, preschool: The educational level or institution for young children, typically between the ages of about 3 and 6, before they enter primary school. The term originates from Sino-Vietnamese roots meaning "motherly instruction" (mẫu: mother; giáo: teaching), reflecting the nurturing and foundational educational role. 2. (Archaic/Literal) Motherly instruction: The teaching and upbringing provided by a mother to her children. This original meaning is now less common, with the modern usage almost exclusively referring to early childhood education.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Modern meaning):
  • Con tôi năm nay bắt đầu đi học mẫu giáo. (My child is starting kindergarten this year.)
  • Cô ấy là một giáo viên mẫu giáo rất tận tâm. (She is a very dedicated kindergarten teacher.)
• Noun (Archaic meaning):
  • Sự mẫu giáo có ảnh hưởng sâu sắc đến tính cách trẻ. (A mother's instruction deeply influences a child's character.)

Advanced Usage

• "giáo dục mẫu giáo": kindergarten education, preschool education.
  • Giáo dục mẫu giáo đặt nền móng cho việc học tập suốt đời. (Kindergarten education lays the foundation for lifelong learning.)

Variants and Related Words

• trường mẫu giáo (noun phrase): kindergarten (school), preschool.
  • Trường mẫu giáo ở cuối phố rất khang trang. (The kindergarten at the end of the street is very well-equipped.)
• giáo viên mẫu giáo / cô giáo mẫu giáo: kindergarten teacher, preschool teacher.
• tuổi mẫu giáo: kindergarten age, preschool age.

Synonyms

• nhà trẻ: nursery school, daycare (often for slightly younger children).
• vườn trẻ: (less formal) nursery, preschool.
• trường mầm non: (modern, official term) preschool, early childhood education school. This is now the common official term encompassing both nursery and kindergarten levels.

noun

1. motherly instruction
   • trường mẫu giáo
     kindergarten