nguyên sơ

Vietnamese

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 原初, composed of 原 (“source”) and 初 (“beginning”).

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ŋwiən˧˧ səː˧˧]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ŋwiəŋ˧˧ ʂəː˧˧] ~ [ŋwiəŋ˧˧ səː˧˧]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ŋwiəŋ˧˧ ʂəː˧˧] ~ [ŋwiəŋ˧˧ səː˧˧]

Adjective

nguyên sơ

1. primordial; original; early

   Synonym: sơ khai

   Tế bào mẹ nguyên sơ ― progenitor cell (primordial parent cell)

2. (figurative) pristine; untainted; natural

Usage notes

This term typically has a very positive connotation.