Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of plant: "Ngải" refers to a plant species, often described as similar to turmeric, with large leaves and a large rhizome or tuber. It is commonly used in traditional medicine and rituals.
   • A philtre or charm: In folk beliefs and practices, "ngải" can also refer to a magical potion, charm, or talisman, often believed to be made from such plants, used to influence love, luck, or other personal matters.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Plant):

  • Bà tôi thường dùng củ ngải để nấu nước xông. (My grandmother often uses ngải rhizomes to make steam bath water.)
  • Loại ngải này mọc nhiều ở vùng núi phía Bắc. (This type of ngải plant grows abundantly in the northern mountainous regions.)

• Noun (Philtre/Charm):

  • Trong truyền thuyết, thầy phù thủy dùng ngải để yểm bùa. (In legends, sorcerers use ngải to cast spells.)
  • Người ta đồn rằng anh ấy bị trúng ngải. (People rumor that he has been affected by a love charm.)

Advanced Usage

• "nuôi ngải": to cultivate or "raise" ngải (often in a supernatural context, implying the care and use of the plant for magical purposes).

  • Câu chuyện về kẻ nuôi ngải hại người thật đáng sợ. (The story about someone raising ngải to harm others is truly frightening.)

• "trúng ngải": to be under the influence of a ngải charm; to be hexed.

  • Cô ấy hành xử kỳ lạ, như thể bị trúng ngải vậy. (She behaves strangely, as if under the influence of a charm.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngải cứu (n): A specific, common type of medicinal herb (Artemisia vulgaris, mugwort). This is a compound word.
  • Ngải cứu thường được dùng trong các bài thuốc Đông y. (Mugwort is often used in traditional Eastern medicine remedies.)

Synonyms

• Cây thuốc: medicinal plant.
• Bùa ngải: charm, talisman (this is a compound term often used together).
• Bùa: charm, amulet.

Related Phrases

• Làm phép bằng ngải: to perform magic using ngải.
  • Thầy mo làm phép bằng ngải để chữa bệnh. (The shaman performed magic using ngải to cure an illness.)

Related Idioms

• Mê như trúng ngải: to be infatuated or obsessed as if under a spell.
  • Anh ta yêu cô ấy, mê như trúng ngải. (He loves her, obsessed as if under a spell.)

1. Sagebrush
2. Philtre