trường mầm non
The English phrase "preschool" is translated into Vietnamese as trường mầm non.
trường mầm non refers to the educational stage or the institution for children in the years before they enter primary school. In many contexts, the word trường can be omitted and the phrase mầm non alone is used to refer to the preschool level or the institution itself.
Meaning: relating to years before primary school (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term trường mầm non is composed of trường (school), mầm (bud/sprout) and non (young/tender), literally meaning a school for young sprouts.
Which one should you use?
While trường mầm non and trường mẫu giáo are often used interchangeably, mầm non is a broader term that can include much younger children such as infants and toddlers. In contrast, mẫu giáo typically refers to the kindergarten years for children aged 3 to 5.
Did you know?
- The word non in trường mầm non is likely a distant relative of the word non in other Mon-Khmer languages, where it can mean 'uterus'.
- The word non can describe things other than age, such as 'young' rice or 'tender' leaves, reflecting a consistent theme of softness in the phrase trường mầm non.
Examples in context
- Tôi muốn đăng ký con tôi vào trường mầm non.I want to enroll my child in preschool.
- Cô ấy là giáo viên trường mầm non.She is a preschool teacher.
Example conversation
Nam and Hương are talking about their children.
- NamCon gái Hương học trường mầm non nào?Which preschool does your daughter attend, Hương?
- HươngBé học trường mầm non ở quận Một.She goes to a preschool in District One.
- NamTrường mầm non đó có tốt không?Is that preschool good?
- HươngCó, các cô giáo ở đó rất tận tâm.Yes, the teachers there are very dedicated.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries non, trường, trường mầm non, CC BY-SA 4.0.
