Đại Ngu

See also: đại ngu

Vietnamese

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 大虞, composed of 大 (“great”) and 虞. The first element is typical in exalted names in the Chinese cultural sphere. The second element is rather obscure, with literal meanings ranging from "to anticipate", "to doubt", "to deceive", to the name of an ancient Chinese fiefdom ruled by Emperor Shun. The character is occasionally used as an alternative for 娛／娱 (ngu, “joy”), which is the most popular interpretation, hence "Great Joy".

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔɗaːj˧˨ʔ ŋu˧˧]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔɗaːj˨˩ʔ ŋʊw˧˧]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [ʔɗaːj˨˩˨ ŋʊw˧˧]
• Homophone: đại ngu (“exceedingly foolish”)

Proper noun

Đại Ngu

1. the official name of Vietnam from 1400 to 1428 under the Hồ dynasty