nêu

Vietnamese

cây nêu

Etymology

Likely from an infixed form of a root that also gave rise to modern bêu (“to raise, to expose”).

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [new˧˧]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [new˧˧]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [new˧˧]

Verb

nêu • (標, 𫼩)

1. to raise (a question, suggestion, etc.); to bring up; to set

Noun

(classifier cây) nêu • (標, 𪲍)

1. a long bamboo pole traditionally erected during the Vietnamese lunar new year (Tết), adorned with cloth and other decorations to ward off evil spirits