chiếc
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
Non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese 隻 (“classifier; single, alone”, SV: chích). Possibly doublet of chách.
Pronunciation
Classifier
- (formal or literary) Indicates generic inanimate tangible things
- Synonym: cái
- Chiếc lược ngà ― The Ivory Comb
- (colloquial) Indicates popular vehicles, such as bicycles, motorcycles, cars, etc.
- Synonym: con
- Nó có hai chiếc xe máy.
- He's got two motorcycles.
Usage notes
- As a classifier, chiếc is usually considered as a formal, or even literary, counterpart to cái. It is mostly used colloquially when indicating some types of vehicles such as bicycles, motorcycles, cars, etc.
- Also note that only cái can be used to indicate zoological body parts, except for teeth.
Derived terms
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