mối

See also: moi, MOI, mỗi, mỏi, mới, mọi, and mo'i

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [moj˧˦]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [moj˨˩˦]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [moj˦˥]

Etymology 1

From Proto-Vietic *k-moːlʔ ~ *k-muːrʔ ~ *k-moːrʔ. Compare Proto-Katuic *kmuar (whence Pacoh camoar (“termite”)), Khmer ខ្មើរ (khmaə, “flying ant”), ខ្មុល (khmol, “mole cricket”).

Noun

(classifier con) mối • (𧋟)

1. termite

Etymology 2

From Proto-Vietic *ɓoːlʔ, from Proto-Mon-Khmer *ɓulʔ ~ *ɓuəl(); cognate with Proto-Bahnaric *ɓuəl ~ *buəl and Mang [ɓoːl⁴].

Noun

(classifier con) mối

1. (dialectal) common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus)

Derived terms

Derived terms

• cá mối
• rắn mối

 

Etymology 3

Noun

mối • (䋦)

1. knot; end (of entangled thread or string)

Classifier

mối

1. Used for romantic relationships or a sentiment of hatred

   mối tình

   a love affair

   mối thù

   hatred; feud

Etymology 4

Non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese 媒 (“matchmaker”, SV: môi).

Noun

mối

1. negotiator; go-between

Verb

mối

1. (colloquial) to be a matchmaker