chi li
Vietnamese
Alternative forms
- chi ly
Etymology
Sino-Vietnamese word from 支離 (“fragmented”). Compare 支釐 (“stingy”). 支釐 / 支厘 is a Hokkien/Minnan Chinese term meaning "stingy", "miserly", "petty".
Pronunciation
- (Hà Nội) IPA(key): [t͡ɕi˧˧ li˧˧]
- (Huế) IPA(key): [t͡ɕɪj˧˧ lɪj˧˧]
- (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA(key): [cɪj˧˧ lɪj˧˧]
Adjective
chi li
- meticulous; particular; precise
- (figuratively) parsimonious; stingy