cứu cánh

Vietnamese

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 究竟 (“outcome”).

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [kiw˧˦ kajŋ̟˧˦]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [kɨw˨˩˦ kɛɲ˦˧˥]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [kɨw˦˥ kan˦˥]

Noun

cứu cánh

1. result; outcome
2. goal; something to achieve
3. (proscribed) salvation; rescue

Usage notes

Sense 3 is a common misapplication, resulting from a reanalysis of this word by the etymologically unaware, who associate it with cứu (救, “to save”).

Verb

cứu cánh

1. (proscribed) to save; to rescue; to salvage