lá dứa
[laː˧˦ zɨə˧˦]word by word
The English phrase "pandan" is translated into Vietnamese as lá dứa.
lá dứa refers to a tropical plant with fragrant leaves used in cooking and baking.
What mistakes should you avoid?
The word lá dừa is often confused with lá dứa by learners, but they refer to different plants (coconut vs. pandan).
Did you know?
- While lá dứa is the common name for pandan, the plant is also known as dứa dại, which translates to 'wild pineapple'.
- In Vietnamese culture, lá dứa is often used not just for flavor, but as a natural fragrance to scent linens and clothes in wardrobes.
- In early 17th-century dictionaries, the word for 'pandan' was spelled as giứa instead of the modern dứa.
Examples in context
- Tôi cần mua lá dứa.I need to buy pandan leaves.
- Mùi lá dứa rất thơm.The smell of the pandan leaves is very fragrant.
- Bạn dùng lá dứa để nấu chè.You use pandan leaves to cook sweet soup.
Example conversation
Mai is shopping at a local market and asks Nam for help.
- MaiAnh có bán lá dứa không?Do you sell pandan leaves?
- NamCó, tôi có lá dứa tươi đây.Yes, I have fresh pandan leaves here.
- MaiCho tôi một bó nhé.Give me one bunch, please.
- NamĐây là lá dứa của cô.Here are your pandan leaves.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (lá, dứa) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dứa, lá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
