ncauj

White Hmong

Etymology

From Proto-Hmong-Mien *ɲɟuj (“mouth, beak”), perhaps borrowed from Old Chinese 嘴 (OC *ʔseʔ, “beak, mouth”) or otherwise related to the latter's proto-form, Proto-Sino-Tibetan *m-ts(j)ul (“lip; beak”). Cognate with Iu Mien nzuih.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ᶮɟau̯˥˧/

Noun

ncauj (classifier: lub)

1. mouth
2. mouth-like opening

Derived terms

• di ncauj (“the lips”)
• qhov ncauj (“the mouth”)

 

References

• Heimbach, Ernest E. (1979) White Hmong — English Dictionary‎^[1], SEAP Publications, →ISBN.