bột bắp
[ʔɓot̚˧˨ʔ ʔɓap̚˧˦]word by word
The English phrase cornstarch is bột bắp in Vietnamese.
bột bắp refers to the very fine starch powder.
Meaning: very fine starch powder (noun)
Which one should you use?
bột bắp specifically refers to cornstarch, whereas bột mì refers to wheat flour.
Did you know?
- While bột bắp means cornstarch, bắp is the word for corn in the South, whereas people in the North typically use the word ngô.
- In Vietnamese cuisine, bột bắp is specifically chosen for a clear and glossy sauce finish, whereas bột năng (tapioca starch) is used for a chewy texture.
- The word bột used in bột bắp traces back to a Sino-Vietnamese character meaning 'fine powder', even though its original meaning has shifted over centuries.
Examples in context
- Tôi cần mua một ít bột bắp.I need to buy some cornstarch.
- Cho thêm bột bắp để làm đặc nước sốt.Add some cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
- Hộp bột bắp này đã hết rồi.This box of cornstarch is empty.
Example conversation
At a grocery store in a local market.
- MaiAnh Hùng ơi, mình còn bột bắp không?Hung, do we have any cornstarch left?
- HùngHình như là hết rồi, Mai ạ.I think it's all gone, Mai.
- MaiVậy mình đi mua thêm nhé.Then let's go buy some more.
- HùngĐược, đi mua ngay thôi.Okay, let's go buy it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bột, bắp) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bột, CC BY-SA 4.0.
