Definition

1. Noun:
   • Large-grain glutinous rice variety: "nếp cái" refers to a specific, traditional variety of glutinous (sticky) rice characterized by its notably large, plump grains. It is a distinct cultivar of Oryza sativa var. glutinosa.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Gia đình tôi thường dùng nếp cái để làm xôi. (My family often uses nếp cái to make sticky rice.)
  • Nếp cái có hạt to hơn so với nếp thường. (Nếp cái has larger grains compared to regular glutinous rice.)
  • Bánh chưng ngon nhất khi được gói bằng nếp cái. (Chung cake is most delicious when wrapped using nếp cái.)

Advanced Usage

• Cultural & Culinary Significance: "Nếp cái" is often considered a premium ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine, especially for traditional dishes and ceremonial foods (e.g., , , , ) due to its texture, fragrance, and ability to retain shape after cooking.
  • Nếp cái hoa vàng là một giống nếp cái nổi tiếng. (Golden flower nếp cái is a famous variety of large-grain glutinous rice.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nếp: (n) Glutinous rice; sticky rice. This is the general category. "Nếp cái" is a specific type of "nếp".
• Nếp thường / Nếp nương: (n) Regular glutinous rice (often with smaller grains).
• Nếp cái hoa vàng: (n) A specific, fragrant sub-variety of "nếp cái".
• Gạo nếp: (n) Another term for glutinous rice.
• Gạo tẻ: (n) Non-glutinous, ordinary rice.

Synonyms

• Lúa nếp cái: (n) The rice plant yielding "nếp cái" grains.
• Gạo nếp hạt to: (n) Large-grain glutinous rice (descriptive synonym).

Related Phrases / Compound Terms

• Xôi nếp cái: Sticky rice made from .
• Rượu nếp cái: Glutinous rice wine made from .
• Cơm nếp cái: Cooked glutinous rice from the variety.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "cái" here does not mean "female" but is used in a classificatory sense to denote a primary, original, or large-size type, similar to its use in "sông cái" (main river). Thus, "nếp cái" implies a principal or archetypal variety of glutinous rice known for its grain size.

1. Large-size-glutinous rice