FEATURED NEOLOGISM:

“Trà xanh” is a Vietnamese slang term, derived from the Chinese “lǜ chá biǎo” (绿茶婊). This term refers to a woman who displays an innocent and pure appearance, but is actually manipulative and seeks to interfere in other people’s romantic relationships. It gained popularity around 2020, following publicized scandals involving third parties in couples. These women, considered an “upgraded” version of the “tiểu tam” (mistress), use their facade of innocence to deceive those around them. The term “trà xanh” carries a strongly negative connotation, highlighting their deceptive nature and malicious intentions in a romantic context.

Huy-Linh Dao holds a PhD in language sciences and is currently an Associate Professor in Vietnamese linguistics at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO). His research focuses primarily on syntax and its interfaces with lexicon and discourse. His lexical research topics include comparative phraseology (French, Vietnamese, East Asian and Southeast Asian languages), comparative neology (Vietnamese, Chinese), and loanwords of Chinese, French, and English origin in Vietnamese.