biến thái

Sino-Vietnamese word from 變態, composed of 變 (“to change”) and 態 (“state”), from Japanese 変態 (hentai), from Literary Chinese 變態 (“to transform”). First used as an entomological term in publications by the Entomological Society of Japan, with later non-entomological applications in the broader zoology and botany. The narrower sense, "abnormal" is attested in Chinese works, such as those by Mao Dun, but the strictest sense, "abnormal sexual tendency," is from a contraction of Japanese 変態性欲 (hentai seiyoku, literally “abnormal sexual desire”) and was adopted through the popularity of manga and anime.

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔɓiən˧˦ tʰaːj˧˦]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔɓiəŋ˦˧˥ tʰaːj˨˩˦]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ʔɓiəŋ˦˥ tʰaːj˦˥]

biến thái

1. (zoology) metamorphosis

   biến thái hoàn toàn

   complete metamorphosis

   biến thái không hoàn toàn

   incomplete metamorphosis

biến thái

1. (zoology) to metamorphose

biến thái

1. sexually perverted

   Cái thằng này biến thái quá đi!

   Oh you pervert!