nhịn

Vietnamese

Etymology

Non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese 忍 (“to endure”, SV: nhẫn).

For some examples of ‹i› in vernacular loans versus ‹â› in standard Sino-Vietnamese, see also phím, kịp, kín, tim.

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ɲin˧˨ʔ]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ɲin˨˩ʔ]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [ɲɨn˨˩˨]

Verb

nhịn

1. to refrain oneself from fulfilling their physical needs

   nhịn đói/ăn ― to starve oneself

   nhịn tiểu ― to hold one's pee

2. to refrain oneself from fighting back

   nhẫn nhịn ― to suppress one's anger

   Một điều nhịn chín điều lành.

   It's always a good idea not to engage in fights.

Anagrams

• nịnh