rau mùi
[zaw˧˧ muj˨˩]word by word
The English phrase coriander is rau mùi in Vietnamese.
rau mùi refers to the coriander plant (Coriandrum sativum).
Meaning: Coriandrum sativum plant (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of rau, meaning vegetable or herb and mùi, meaning scent or smell.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Vietnam, people more commonly use the term rau ngò instead of rau mùi.
Did you know?
- The word mùi in rau mùi is a doublet of the Vietnamese word vị, meaning 'taste'. Both words derive from the same Chinese character 味, which encompasses both smell and flavor.
- In Vietnamese culinary culture, rau mùi is rarely cooked into a dish. It is almost always added as a fresh garnish at the very end to preserve its volatile scent.
- In Vietnamese markets, you will find different varieties of 'ngò' or 'mùi', such as ngò gai (sawtooth coriander), which is a completely different species from rau mùi.
Examples in context
- Tôi thích ăn rau mùi.I like eating coriander.
- Mẹ tôi vừa mua rau mùi.My mother just bought some coriander.
- Bạn có muốn thêm rau mùi không?Do you want to add some coriander?
Example conversation
Nam and Hương are cooking dinner together.
- NamHương ơi, mình có rau mùi không?Hương, do we have any coriander?
- HươngĐể em kiểm tra trong tủ lạnh.Let me check in the fridge.
- HươngHết rau mùi rồi anh Nam ạ.We are out of coriander, Nam.
- NamVậy anh đi mua một ít nhé.Then I will go buy some.
