nphau

White Hmong edit

Etymology edit

This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.
Particularly: “Not mentioned by Ratliff at all. Looks like it's borrowed from Chinese 覆 (fù, “to tip over”).”

Verb edit

nphau

to tip over
Roob nphau los. ― The mountain slid down. (lit. 'The mountain tipped over.')

Adjective edit

nphau

turbulent (as of running water)
dej nphau nphwv ― turbulent water

Derived terms edit

nrig nphau (“of persons or animals turning over on the back; of a backflip”)
siab nphau (“having lost mental or physical composure; very angry”)

References edit

Heimbach, Ernest E. (1979) White Hmong — English Dictionary‎^[1], SEAP Publications, →ISBN, page 163.