tàu

See also: Appendix:Variations of "tau"

Hokkien

For pronunciation and definitions of tàu – see 鬥 (“to fight; to struggle; to make animals fight; etc.”). (This term is the pe̍h-ōe-jī form of 鬥).

For pronunciation and definitions of tàu – see 晝 (“daytime; day; daylight; lunch; etc.”). (This term is the pe̍h-ōe-jī form of 晝).

For pronunciation and definitions of tàu – see 到 (“to arrive at a destination; to reach a destination; to get to; to go to; to leave for; etc.”). (This term is the pe̍h-ōe-jī form of 到).

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [taw˨˩]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [taw˦˩]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ta(ː)w˨˩]

• Audio (Hồ Chí Minh City)

  (file)

Etymology 1

Non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese 艚 (SV: tào).

Noun

(classifier con, chiếc) tàu

1. one of several types of vehicle or craft, usually large, designed for navigation in or on water, in air, on rails, or through outer space

   Meronyms: tàu hoả (“train”), tàu điện (“electric train”), tàu điện ngầm (“subway”), tàu thuỷ (“ship”), tàu ngầm (“submarine”), tàu vũ trụ (“spaceship”), tàu bay (“aircraft”) (dated)

   say tàu ― trainsick or seasick

   tàu bay ― aircraft

   tàu Người Hà Lan Bay ― the Flying Dutchman

   tàu Nautilus ― the Nautilus

   tàu Con Thoi ― the Space Shuttle

Derived terms

Derived terms

• tàu điện ngầm (“subway”)
• tàu hoả (“train”)
• tàu ngầm (“submarine”)
• tàu thuỷ (“ship (on water)”)
• tàu vũ trụ (“spaceship”)

 

Etymology 2

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

tàu • (𬟠 - 蓸, 槽)

1. a large leaf

   Sâu đầu đen gây hại làm tàu dừa cháy khô từ những lá già bên dưới.

   The Coconut black-headed caterpillar harmfully makes the coconut tree's large leaves dry-out from the older leaves underneath.

Etymology 3

See Tàu.

Adjective

tàu • (艚)

1. Alternative letter-case form of Tàu (“Chinese”)

Usage notes

Except in common compound words such as táo tàu, the capitalized spelling Tàu is used. Note, however, that Tàu, particularly người Tàu, may be considered derogatory.

Derived terms

• mực tàu (China ink)
• phố tàu (Chinatown)
• táo tàu (Chinese jujube)