Etymology

From gái ‎(“girl”) + mại dâm ‎(“attributive, to prostitute oneself”).

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ɣaːj˧ˀ˦ maːj˧ˀ˨ʔ z̻ɜm˧˧]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ɣaːj˩ˀ˧ maːj˨ˀ˨ʔ jɜm˧˧]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ɣaːj˦ˀ˥ maːj˨ˀ˧ʔ jɜm˧˥]