In Code Names a player may need to think of a single word to link the items “bank”, “fortune”, and “story”. The clue “teller” would be a good link for these three items, invoking the compound words “bank teller”, “fortune teller”, and “story teller”.
In unrelated situations around Vietnam, I encountered the compound words “quý khách” (customer), “xe khách” (tour bus), and “khách sạn” (hotel). So, what concept does the word “khách” represent on its own? Click here for the answer.
Later, I learned the word “mật gấu” for bear bile (extracted from live bears for medicinal use). “Gấu” means “bear”, so perhaps “mật” is better translated as “animal by-product”.
Finally, I encountered “mật mía” for “molasses” or "syrup". “Mía” means “sugarcane”. Keeping all three of “mật ong”, “mật gấu”, and “mật mía” in mind, I conclude that “mật” is closest to “(sweet) thing that comes from a plant or animal by some process”.
With that in mind, I propose “mật ngô” and “mật me” be added to the Vietnamese lexicon for “corn starch” and “tamarind pulp”, respectively. My Vietnamese friends will have to tell me how far off I am!