The Vietnamese word "vải" can refer to two main concepts: cloth and litchi.
1. Cloth (Vải - noun)
Definition: In this context, "vải" means fabric or cloth, which is a material made by weaving threads together. It is used for making clothes, curtains, and various other textile products.
2. Litchi (Vải - noun)
Definition: "Vải" also refers to the litchi fruit, which is a tropical fruit known for its sweet and juicy flesh. The "vải thiều" (Thieu litchi) is a specific variety that is larger than a longan and has a rough, dark red skin.
Advanced Usage
In textile discussions, you might encounter phrases like "vải dệt" (woven fabric) or "vải không dệt" (non-woven fabric), which are used to describe the production methods.
In culinary contexts, you could discuss the uses of litchi in desserts or drinks, like "nước vải" (lychee drink).
Word Variants
For cloth: "vải vóc" (textiles), which refers to various kinds of fabric.
For litchi: "vải thiều" specifically denotes the Thieu variety of litchi.
Different Meanings
Synonyms
For cloth: "vật liệu" (material), "chất liệu" (fabric).
For litchi: "quả vải" (the fruit of litchi), but often "vải" is used directly without needing additional descriptors.
Summary
"Vải" is a versatile word in Vietnamese that can refer to both cloth and the litchi fruit, depending on the context.