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cải
/ka᷉j/
mustard greens
Tôi thích ăn canh cải vào bữa sáng.
I like to eat mustard green soup for breakfast.
formal
Any of various leafy green vegetables of the mustard family, used as food.
Chợ bán đủ loại cải như cải bắp, cải bó xôi, cải thảo.
The market sells various types of mustard greens like cabbage, spinach, and bok choy.
Cải có vị hơi cay và giàu dinh dưỡng.
Mustard greens have a slightly spicy taste and are rich in nutrients.
In Vietnamese cuisine, 'cải' often refers to leafy vegetables that are stir-fried, boiled, or used in soups. The term is broad and can include cabbage, bok choy, spinach, and other related greens.
Collocations
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'cải' from other greens
In Vietnamese, 'cải' specifically refers to mustard greens or related leafy vegetables. For other greens like lettuce or water spinach, different terms are used (e.g., 'xà lách' for lettuce, 'rau muống' for water spinach).
Gold Rule
When to use 'cải'
Use 'cải' when referring to leafy greens with a slightly bitter or spicy taste, commonly used in Vietnamese cooking. If the vegetable is mild or sweet, use a more specific term.
Word Origin
From Old Chinese 芥 (OC *krɯːds, *krads, 'mustard plant'), via Sino-Vietnamese.
Usage Notes
The term 'cải' is general and can refer to many types of leafy greens. For specificity, it is often paired with another word (e.g., 'cải bắp' for cabbage). In Northern Vietnam, 'cải' is more commonly used, while in the South, 'bắp cải' is preferred for cabbage.
Word Breakdown
cải
mustard greens
rootTừ Điển Việt Anh