nội

Sino-Vietnamese word from 內 (“inside”). A woman once married is considered belonging to a different family, hence the "inside" father's side and "outside" mother's side.

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [noj˧˨ʔ]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [noj˨˩ʔ]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [noj˨˩˨]

• Audio (Hà Nội):

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nội

1. emphasizing the mere something

   Nội việc rửa bát mày còn làm chẳng được!

   You can't even wash the mere dishes properly!

nội

1. belonging to the father's side of the family

   bên nội ― the paternal side (of the family)

   cháu nội ― a paternal grandchild

   quê nội ― father's birthplace (and/or where his ancestors have lived for generations)

   • 2005, Nguyễn Ngọc Tư, “Nhớ sông”, in Cánh đồng bất tận, NXB Trẻ:

     Ba sẽ bán chiếc ghe nầy, về quê nội mua một miếng đất, rồi ba với con Thuỷ cuốc đất trồng rau, có gì ăn nấy.

     I will sell this junk, return to the village of my (paternal) ancestors to buy a plot of land, and Thuỷ and I will hoe that land to grow vegetables and live from whatever we can grow.

nội

1. (Southern Vietnam, colloquial) a paternal grandparent

   Nội ơi! Để con nhổ tóc bạc cho nội nha!

   (Paternal) Grandpa/Grandma! Let me pull out your gray hair!

2. (historical) court; imperial palace

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