Vietnamese

Proper noun

Châu

1. A surname​.
2. A female given name

See also

• Chu

Vietnamese

Noun

châu

1. continent

Usage note

This term only occurs in Sino-Vietnamese compound words. In the compound words referring to the continents, modern Vietnamese has reversed the order of the component words, such that châu is treated as a noun modified by a proper adjective. However, châu is never considered a noun in its own right; lục địa and đại lục are used for that purpose instead.

Synonyms

• (continent): lục địa, đại lục

Derived terms

• Á châu
• Âu châu
• châu Á
• châu Âu
• châu Mỹ
• châu Phi
• Mỹ châu
• Phi châu

Etymology 2

Sino-Vietnamese word from 珠

Noun

châu

1. precious stone, gem, jewel, pearl

Verb

châu

1. to huddle together