ma nữ
noun Sino-Vietnamese
Hanoi [maː˧˧ nɨ˦ˀ˥]Huế [maː˧˧ nɨ˧˨]Saigon [maː˧˧ nɨ˨˩˦] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
Chinese characters: 魔女 Classifier: con — e.g. một con ma nữ
Meanings of ma nữ in English
Noun
- the ghost of a dead girl or woman
Etymology
Sino-Vietnamese word from 魔女 (“witch”), literally "magical female". The syllable ma is often associated with its non-Sino-Vietnamese meaning (which is "ghost"), hence the common misapplication of the term.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce ma nữ?
IPA: Hanoi [maː˧˧ nɨ˦ˀ˥]; Saigon [maː˧˧ nɨ˨˩˦]. Tones: ma — level tone (ngang), nữ — creaky rising tone (ngã).
Is ma nữ a Sino-Vietnamese word?
Yes. ma nữ is a Sino-Vietnamese word from the Chinese characters 魔女.
What classifier is used with ma nữ?
Common classifiers: con — for example "một con ma nữ" (one ma nữ).