Ngai

See also: ngai, ngáí, ngài, ngãi, and ngại

English

Etymology 1

The Cantonese romanization of any of three different surnames: 魏 (ngai6), 倪 (ngai4), and 危 (ngai4).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /naɪ/, /(ə)ŋaɪ/

Proper noun

Ngai

1. Any of three Chinese surnames of Cantonese origin, used primarily in Hong Kong.

Derived terms

• Ngai camphor

Statistics

• According to the 2010 United States Census, Ngai is the 17,392^nd most common surname in the United States, belonging to 1623 individuals. Ngai is most common among Asian/Pacific Islander (94.58%) individuals.

Etymology 2

Proper noun

Ngai

1. The monolithic creator god of the Kikuyu and related groups of Kenya, and the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania.

Anagrams

• Agin, Agni, Angi, Gain, Gina, NGIA, Nagi, a- -ing, ag'in, agin, gain, gain-, gina, inga

Kikuyu

Alternative forms

• ngai

Etymology

Cf. Maasai Enkai (“God”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ᵑɡàǐ/

As for Tonal Class, Benson (1964) classifies this term into Class 2.

(Kiambu)

(Limuru) As for Tonal Class, Yukawa (1981) classifies this term into a group including gĩkwa (pl. ikwa), ithangũ (pl. mathangũ), kiugũ, kĩboko, kĩgunyũ, kĩnya, kĩroboto, kĩrũũmi, mbogo, mũcinga, mũgate, mũhaka, mũrangi, mũrũthi, ndaraca, ndirica, njohi, nyũmba, thĩ, and so on.

Noun

Ngai class 1

1. God

   Synonym: Mũrungu

Usage notes

Formerly referred to a native deity dwelling in evergreen trees possessing milky red sap, but later associated with Christianity.

Derived terms

(Nouns)

• ũngai class 14

(Proverbs)

• mũmeni mũndũ ti we Ngai
• mũthũri mũndũ tiwe Ngai
• mwaki wa Ngai ũraaragio nĩ igoto
• ũtonga nĩ wa Ngai

See also

• Mwene Nyaga