ni

Thân thiện

Bên ni sông có một cái cầu nhỏ.

Definition

1. Demonstrative adjective (dialectal): This, these. A dialectal variant of the standard Vietnamese word "này," used to indicate something or someone close to the speaker.
2. Adverb (dialectal): Now. A dialectal variant of the standard Vietnamese word "nay," used to indicate the present time.
3. Noun: Buddhist nun. A respectful term for a female Buddhist monastic.

Usage Examples

• Demonstrative adjective:
  • Anh ni. (This man.)
  • Bên ni. (This side / Over here.)
• Adverb:
  • Đến ni mà nhà vẫn chưa xong. (Up to now, the house has not been finished.)
• Noun:
  • Chư ni và chư tăng. (Buddhist nuns and monks.)

Advanced Usage

• "Bữa ni": Today (dialectal, from "bữa nay").
  • Bữa ni trời đẹp quá. (The weather is so beautiful today.)
• "Năm ni": This year (dialectal, from "năm nay").
  • Năm ni được mùa. (This year's harvest is bountiful.)

Variants and Related Words

• Này (Standard Vietnamese): This, these (demonstrative adjective).
• Nay (Standard Vietnamese): Now, today (adverb).
• Sư cô, Ni cô: Other respectful terms for a Buddhist nun.
• Tăng: Buddhist monk (often paired with "ni").

Synonyms

• Này: This (standard equivalent for the demonstrative use).
• Nay: Now (standard equivalent for the temporal use).
• Sư nữ: Female monastic (another term for a Buddhist nun).

Notes on Usage

• The words "ni" as a demonstrative ("this") and adverb ("now") are primarily used in Central and some Southern dialects of Vietnam. In formal writing and standard communication, "này" and "nay" are preferred.
• The word "ni" meaning "Buddhist nun" is standard and used in formal, religious contexts throughout Vietnam. It is an abbreviation of "Ni sư" or "Tỳ kheo ni."

Học thuật

1. (địa phương) This
2. Anh ni
3. This man
4. Now
   • Đến ni mà nhà vẫn chưa xong
     Up to now, the house has not been finished
5. Buddhist nun
   • Chư ni và chư tăng
     Buddhist nuns and monks