thảo mai

Vietnamese

Etymology

    Sino-Vietnamese word from 草 (“grasses, herbs”) and 梅 (“Prunus mume, Ochna integerrima”); with the figurative connation being "innocent-looking". Apparently a Vietnamese construct.

    Pronunciation

    • (Hà Nội) IPA(key): [tʰaːw˧˩ maːj˧˧]
    • (Huế) IPA(key): [tʰaːw˧˨ maːj˧˧]
    • (Saigon) IPA(key): [tʰaːw˨˩˦ maːj˧˧]

    Adjective

    thảo mai

    1. (slang, derogatory) smarmy or affected with the sole intention to gain approval
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