sắc

See also: Appendix:Variations of "sac"

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [sak̚˧˦]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʂak̚˦˧˥] ~ [sak̚˦˧˥]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [ʂak̚˦˥] ~ [sak̚˦˥]

• Audio (Saigon):

  (file)

Etymology 1

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Adjective

sắc • (勅, 勑, 銫, 色)

1. (Northern Vietnam) sharp (able to cut easily)

   Synonym: bén

   Antonym: cùn

   thanh sắc ― the phonemic tone as in the word sắc; either of the phonetic tones as in the words sắc (a checked tone) and sắn

   sắc sảo ― sharp(-minded)

Derived terms

• sắc bén
• sắc lẻm
• sắc sảo

Etymology 2

Sino-Vietnamese word from 色 (“color; beauty”).

Noun

sắc

1. a variant of a color; a shade, a tone, a tint, etc.

   sắc mặt ― a complexion

   thất sắc ― (of the face) to become pale

2. (literary or fixed expressions) color

   Synonym: màu

   bảy sắc cầu vồng ― the seven colors of the rainbow

3. (archaic) ellipsis of sắc đẹp or nhan sắc (“womanly beauty”)

   tửu sắc ― liquor and beautiful women, what men enjoy the most

   tài sắc vẹn toàn ― (of a woman) both talented and beautiful

Derived terms

• háo sắc
• nhan sắc
• sắc mặt
• sắc thái

Etymology 3

Sino-Vietnamese word from 敕.

Noun

sắc

1. (historical) an imperial order; an imperial edict

Derived terms

• sắc lệnh
• sắc phong