dái tai

== Vietnamese == === Alternative forms === (North Central Vietnam) trấy tai (Southern Vietnam) trái tai (etymological spelling, not used) giái tai === Etymology === Originally a compound of giái (“fruit”) +‎ tai (“ear”), the first element is an alternative form of trái (see giai for the sound change). The current spelling is probably due to the ‹gi›-‹d› merger in most dialects and influence from folk etymology (as if from dái (“scrotum”) +‎ tai, cf. Korean 귓불 (gwitbul)). Compare Phong Nha dialect ʈɤj³²⁴ which means both "fruit" and "earlobe", while "scrotum, testicles" is ɗaj³²⁴. This form is originally Northern, then spread to other dialects. === Pronunciation === (Hà Nội) IPA(key): [zaːj˧˦ taːj˧˧] (Huế) IPA(key): [jaːj˨˩˦ taːj˧˧] (Saigon) IPA(key): [jaːj˦˥ taːj˧˧] === Noun === dái tai earlobe ==== References ====