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zai. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
zai, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
zai in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
zai you have here. The definition of the word
zai will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
zai, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Hokkien 在 (chāi, “steady”); likely a shortening of Hokkien 在穩／在稳 (chāi-ún, “experienced and composed; safe; reliable; trustworthy”), in the sense of a person being solid, experienced, and collected under pressure.
Pronunciation
Adjective
zai (not comparable)
- (Singapore) extremely skilled; talented.
Japanese
Romanization
zai
- Rōmaji transcription of ざい
Mandarin
Romanization
zai
- Nonstandard spelling of zāi.
- Nonstandard spelling of zǎi.
- Nonstandard spelling of zài.
Usage notes
- Transcriptions of Mandarin into the Latin script often do not distinguish between the critical tonal differences employed in the Mandarin language, using words such as this one without indication of tone.
Shona
Etymology
From Proto-Bantu *ìgɪ́.
Noun
zái class 5 (plural mazái class 6)
- egg
- Synonym: (Manyika) zanda