nam mô
verb Sino-Vietnamese
Hanoi [naːm˧˧ mo˧˧]Huế [naːm˧˧ mow˧˧]Saigon [naːm˧˧ mow˧˧] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
nam mô means to salute.
Chinese characters: 南無
Meanings of nam mô in English
Verb
- only in fixed expressions to salute, to homage or to take refuge (a Buddha or a Bodhisattva)
- nam mô A Di Đà PhậtHomage to Amitābha Buddha
- nam mô Quan/Quán Thế Âm Bồ TátHomage to Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva
- nam-mô Bổn sư Thích-ca Mâu-ni PhậtHomage to Lord Shakyamuni Buddha
Idioms and sayings with nam mô
- Nam mô A Di Đà Phật — Namo Amitābhāya, a common phrase of salutation used by Buddhists
Etymology
Sino-Vietnamese word from 南無, from Chinese 南無 /南无, from Sanskrit नमो (namo).
Frequently asked questions
What does nam mô mean in English?
nam mô (verb) means "to salute".
How do you pronounce nam mô?
IPA: Hanoi [naːm˧˧ mo˧˧]; Saigon [naːm˧˧ mow˧˧]. Tones: nam — level tone (ngang), mô — level tone (ngang).
Is nam mô a Sino-Vietnamese word?
Yes. nam mô is a Sino-Vietnamese word from the Chinese characters 南無.