Bắc Kỳ
proper nounadjective Sino-Vietnamese
Hanoi [ʔɓak̚˧˦ ki˨˩]Huế [ʔɓak̚˦˧˥ kɪj˦˩]Saigon [ʔɓak̚˦˥ kɪj˨˩] browser voice
IPA built syllable by syllable from each syllable's entry.
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
Bắc Kỳ means Tonkin; French protectorate of Tonkin.
Also spelled Bắc Kì — same word, same meaning.
Chinese characters: 北圻
Meanings of Bắc Kỳ in English
Proper noun
- one of the administrative division of Đại Nam
- Tonkin, French protectorate of Tonkin
Adjective
- derogatory, offensive Northern Vietnamese
- historical Tonkinese (pertaining to the French protectorate of Tonkin)
Etymology
Sino-Vietnamese word from 北圻. Attested as early as in 1830. The administrative division was created in 1834; the French protectorate was established in 1883.
Frequently asked questions
What does Bắc Kỳ mean in English?
Bắc Kỳ (proper noun) means "Tonkin; French protectorate of Tonkin".
How do you pronounce Bắc Kỳ?
IPA: Hanoi [ʔɓak̚˧˦ ki˨˩]; Saigon [ʔɓak̚˦˥ kɪj˨˩]. Tones: bắc — rising tone (sắc), kỳ — falling tone (huyền).
Is Bắc Kỳ a Sino-Vietnamese word?
Yes. Bắc Kỳ is a Sino-Vietnamese word from the Chinese characters 北圻.