zai

See also: zài, zāi, zǎi, and za'i

English

Etymology

From Hokkien 在 (chāi, “steady”); likely a shortening of Hokkien 在穩／在稳 (chāi-ún, “experienced and composed; safe; reliable; trustworthy”), in the sense of a person being solid, experienced, and collected under pressure.

Pronunciation

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): [t͡sai̯]

Adjective

zai (not comparable)

1. (Singapore) extremely skilled; talented.

Japanese

Romanization

zai

1. Rōmaji transcription of ざい

Mandarin

Romanization

zai

1. Nonstandard spelling of zāi.
2. Nonstandard spelling of zǎi.
3. Nonstandard spelling of zài.

Usage notes

• Transcriptions of Mandarin into the Latin script often do not distinguish between the critical tonal differences employed in the Mandarin language, using words such as this one without indication of tone.

Shona

Etymology

From Proto-Bantu *ìgɪ́.

Noun

zái class 5 (plural mazái class 6)

1. egg

   Synonym: (Manyika) zanda