tài tử

Vietnamese

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 才子, composed of 才 (“talent”) and 子 (“male master”). Compare Khổng Tử (“Confucius”, literally “Master Kong”) and Mạnh Tử (“Mencius”, literally “Master Meng”).

Pronunciation

(Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [taːj˨˩ tɨ˧˩]
(Huế) IPA^(key): [taːj˦˩ tɨ˧˨]
(Saigon) IPA^(key): [taːj˨˩ tɨ˨˩˦]

Noun

tài tử

(archaic, art) an artistically talented man
(art, film, television, music) an A-list artist, actor, etc. who works in show business

Adjective

tài tử

(art, music) Synonym of nghiệp dư (“amateur”)
đờn ca tài tử
an amateur musical performance