Introduction to Taiwanese Vocabulary: Difference between revisions

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The modern language that we call '''[[Taiguo|Taiwanese]]''' has been passed on for several generations primarily through oral tradition without a standardized writing system. It may be considered a variant of Hokkien brought by [[Fujian]]ese settlers from mainland China to the island of Taiwan ([[Formosa]]). The Taiwanese language has captured the history of the island in its borrowing of words from [[Formosan languages]], [[Sepangaa-gie|Spanish]], [[Kextexgie|Dutch]], [[Jidpwn'oe|Japanese]], and [[Engguo|English]].
'''Taiwanese''' has been passed on for generations without a standardized writing system. Considered a variety of [[Høxlør-oe|Hokkien]], it is spoken natively by about 70% of the population of Taiwan, brought by immigrants from [[Banlaam|southern Fujian]], mainly during the [[Zhefng-tiaau|Qing dynasty]]. Taiwanese also contains loanwords from Japanese and the native [[Formosan languages]], plus some [[Sepangaa-gie|Spanish]], [[Kextexgie|Dutch]], and [[Enggie|English]].


Modern Taiwanese has words coming from [[Sioxngkor Harnguo|Old Chinese]] (ca. 0 BCE/CE) as well as the [[Toong|Tang Dynasty]] (ca. 618-907). However, it is still not natural for many people to write modern Taiwanese with [[Harnji|Han characters]]. Until the late 19th century, educated Taiwanese speakers wrote mostly in [[Bungieen-buun|Classical Chinese]]. Where Han characters have been used to record spoken Taiwanese, they are not always etymological or genetic; the borrowing of similar-sounding or similar-meaning characters is a common practice. The lack of a written standard and the difficulty in learning the relatively complicated [[Harnji]] posed a great barrier to written record of Taiwanese speech.
A writing system using Latin characters, [[Peh-oe-ji]], was developed by Western missionaries in the 19th century. The [[Taioaan Kitog Tviwlør Kaohoe|Presbyterian Church]] has been active in promoting Taiwanese and POJ since the late 19th century. In 1943, [[Liim Keahioong]] and classmates started work on a spelling system that evolved into [[Modern Literal Taiwanese]] (MLT), which is used by the [[Washington DC Taiwanese School]] and the system we use below.


A system of writing Taiwanese using Latin characters called [[POJ]], meaning "vernacular writing", was developed in the 19th century. The indigenous [[Taioaan Kitog Tviwlør Kaohoe|Presbyterian Church in Taiwan]] has been active in promoting the language since the late 19th century. In 1945, Professor [[Liim Keahioong]], formerly of the Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan, pioneered a system based on POJ called the Taiwanese Modern Spelling System (TMSS). TMSS has evolved into [[Modern Taiwanese Language]] (MTL), also known as Modern Literal Taiwanese (MLT). This wiki uses MTL to write Taiwanese.
== Common Phrases ==
 
==Common Phrases==
Main article: [[Common Taiwanese phrases]]
Main article: [[Common Taiwanese phrases]]
;[[Lie hør]][http://learntaiwanese.org/Beginner's%20Guide%20to%20Taiwanese_files/Lie%20hør.ogg !] : Hello!
[[File:Lie hør.mp3]]
;{{tts|[[Ciaqpar]]`boe?|ciaqparboe{}} : Hello. (Literally, "have you eaten your fill?")
;[[Lie hør]] : Hello!
;{{tts|[[Bexbae]]!}} :Not bad.  
[[File:Ciaqpar`boe.mp3]]
;{{tts|[[Kafmsia]]!}} :Thank you.
;[[Ciaqpar`bøe]]? : Hello. (Literally, "have you eaten your fill?")
;{{tts|[[Mxbiern-khehkhix]]!}} :You're welcome. / That's OK.
;{{x|Bøexbae}}! :Not bad.  
;{{x|Kafmsia}}! :Thank you.
[[File:Mxbiern-khehkhix`laq.mp3]]
;[[Mxbiern-khehkhix]]! :You're welcome. / That's OK.


==Lexicon==
==Lexicon==
Main reference: {{w|Taiwanese Hokkien#Lexicon}}
Main reference: {{w|Taiwanese Hokkien#Lexicon}}


===Han Chinese===
=== Hokkien ===
Modern linguistic studies (by Robert L. Cheng and Chin-An Li, for example) estimate that most (75% to 90%) Taiwanese words have cognates in other Han Chinese languages. False friends do exist; for example, '''{{tts|[[zao]]}}''' ({{wt|走}}) means "to run" in Taiwanese, whereas the Mandarin cognate, ''zǒu'', means "to walk". Moreover, cognates may have different lexical categories; for example, the morpheme '''{{tts|[[phvi]]}}''' ({{wt|鼻}}) means not only "nose" (a noun, as in Mandarin ''bí'') but also "to smell" (a verb, unlike Mandarin).
As a variety of Hokkien, Taiwanese has many words with cognates in other Chinese varieties. False friends do exist; for example, '''{{x|zao}}''' ({{wt|走}}) means "to run" in Taiwanese, whereas the Mandarin cognate, ''zǒu'', means "to walk". Moreover, cognates may have different lexical categories; for example, the morpheme '''{{x|phvi}}''' ({{wt|鼻}}) means not only "nose" (a noun, as in Mandarin ''bí'') but also "to smell" (a verb, unlike Mandarin).


{{Ten common Harnji}}
{{Ten common Chinese characters}}


In Taiwanese, [[Harnji]] often have differing literary and colloquial readings (pronunciations). See [[Buun-peh-i-thak]].
In Taiwanese, [[Harnji]] often have differing literary and colloquial readings (pronunciations). See [[Literary and colloquial readings of Chinese characters]].


Some words just have no standard Harnji, and are variously considered colloquial, intimate, vulgar, uncultured, or more concrete in meaning than the pan-Chinese synonym. Some examples: '''{{tts|[[laang]]}}''' (person, concrete) vs. '''{{tts|jiin}}''' ({{wt|人}}, person, abstract); '''{{tts|[[zabor]]}}''' (woman) vs. '''{{tts|lwjiin}}''' ({{wt|女人}}, woman, literary); '''{{tts|[[baq]]}}''' (meat). See [[Taiguo Siong'iong 460-ji]] and [[Taioaan Banlamgie thuiciexn ioxngji]].
Some words just have no standard Harnji, and are variously considered colloquial, intimate, vulgar, uncultured, or more concrete in meaning than the pan-Chinese synonym. Some examples: '''{{x|laang}}''' (person, concrete) vs. '''{{x|jiin}}''' ({{wt|人}}, person, abstract); '''{{x|zabor}}''' (woman) vs. '''{{x|lwjiin}}''' ({{wt|女人}}, woman, literary); '''{{x|baq}}''' (meat). See [[Taiguo Siong'iong 460-ji]] and [[臺灣閩南語推薦用字]].


===Austronesian===
===Austronesian===
Main article:  [[Taiwanese words from Austronesian]]
Main article:  [[Taiwanese words from Austronesian]]


Some Taiwanese terms originate from the Austronesian Formosan Aboriginal Languages. For example, '''{{tts|[[asef]]}}''', meaning "silly goose", is from [[Siraya-guo|Sirayan]]. Many Taiwan placenames came from these languages, including '''{{tts|[[Taioaan]]}}''', '''{{tts|[[Alysafn]]}}''', '''{{tts|[[Kelaang]]}}''', etc. It is said that 70 to 80% of Taiwan placenames are from the Formosan Austronesian languages.
Some Taiwanese terms originate from the Austronesian Formosan Aboriginal Languages. For example, '''{{x|asef}}''', meaning "silly goose", is from [[Siraya-guo|Sirayan]]. Many Taiwan placenames came from these languages, including '''{{x|Taioaan}}''', '''{{x|Alysafn}}''', '''{{x|Køelaang}}''', etc. It is said that 70 to 80% of Taiwan placenames are from the Formosan Austronesian languages.


===Japanese===
===Japanese===
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The [[Taioaan Jidpurn sitai|Empire of Japan ruled Taiwan]] from 1895 to 1945. Extensive contact with the [[Jidguo|Japanese]] language has left a legacy of Japanese loanwords. Examples are: [[piexntofng]], [[iafkiuu]], [[piexnsor]], [[huilengky]], [[bixsox]].  
The [[Taioaan Jidpurn sitai|Empire of Japan ruled Taiwan]] from 1895 to 1945. Extensive contact with the [[Jidguo|Japanese]] language has left a legacy of Japanese loanwords. Examples are: [[piexntofng]], [[iafkiuu]], [[piexnsor]], [[huilengky]], [[bixsox]].  


*'''{{tts|[[otofbae]]}}''' (from {{wt|オートバイ}} ootobai "autobike", an "Engrish" word)
*'''{{x|otofbae}}''' (from {{wt|オートバイ}} ootobai "autobike", an "Engrish" word)
*'''{{tts|[[pharng]]}}''' (from {{wt|パン}} pan "bread", which is itself a loanword from [[Portugal-guo|Portuguese]]).  
*'''{{x|pharng}}''' (from {{wt|パン}} pan "bread", which is itself a loanword from [[Portugal-guo|Portuguese]]).  
*Grammatical particles borrowed from Japanese, notably '''{{tx|tek}}''' (from teki {{wt|的}}) and '''{{tx|kaf}}''' (from {{wt|か}}), show up in the Taiwanese of older speakers.
*Grammatical particles borrowed from Japanese, notably '''{{x|tek}}''' (from teki {{wt|的}}) and '''{{x|kaf}}''' (from {{wt|か}}), show up in the Taiwanese of older speakers.


===Western Languages===
===Western Languages===
See Also: {{z|台灣閩南語用詞#西洋語言}}
See Also: {{z|台灣閩南語用詞#西洋語言}}


Taiwanese has words that come from [[Kextexgie|Dutch]], [[Portugal-guo|Portuguese]], and [[Sepangaa-gie|Spanish]] via its history (see [[Hølaan ee Formosa]]). Aside from placenames (like [[Samtiaukag]] and [[Huokuiekag]]), most western words might be from English via Japanese (see [[Taiwanese words from English]]).
Taiwanese has words that come from [[Hølaan-guo|Dutch]], [[Portugal-guo|Portuguese]], and [[Sepangaa-guo|Spanish]] via its history (see [[Hølaan ee Formosa]]). Aside from placenames (like [[Samtiaw Kag]] and [[Huokuix Kag]]), most western words might be from English via Japanese (see [[Taiwanese words from English]]).


{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"  
! MTL || Notes
! MTL || Notes
|-
|-
| '''{{tts|[[bihluq]]}}''' || from [[Hølaan-oe|Dutch]] ''{{wt|bier}}'' via Japanese
| '''{{x|bihluq}}''' || from [[Hølaan-oe|Dutch]] ''{{wt|bier}}'' via Japanese
|-
|-
| '''{{tts|[[kaq (tan'ui)|kaq]]}}''' || from Dutch ''{{wt|akker}}'' (acre)
| '''{{x|kaq}}''' || from Dutch ''{{wt|akker}}'' (acre): 2934 [[pvii (tan'ui)|pvii]]
|-
|-
| '''{{tts|[[pak]]}}''' || from Dutch ''{{wt|pachten}}'' (to lease)
| '''{{x|pak}}''' || from Dutch ''{{wt|pachten}}'' (to lease)
|-
|-
| '''{{tts|[[phorngphuq]]}}''' || from Dutch ''{{wt|pomp}}'' (pump)
| '''{{x|phorngphuq}}''' || from Dutch ''{{wt|pomp}}'' (pump)
|-
|-
| '''{{tts|[[angmngthoo]]}}''' || they called the Dutch "[[angmof|angmo]]" savages (紅毛番 or {{wt|紅毛}})。
| '''{{x|angmngthoo}}''' || they called the Dutch "[[angmof|angmo]]" savages (紅毛番 or {{wt|紅毛}})。
|-
|-
| '''{{tts|[[sapbuun]]}}''' || soap, from [[Portugal-guo|Portuguese]]: ''{{wt|sabão}}''
| '''{{x|sapbuun}}''' || soap, from [[Portugal-guo|Portuguese]]: ''{{wt|sabão}}''
|}
|}


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! MTL || Tai. Hanji || English Meaning
! MTL || Tai. Hanji || English Meaning
|-
|-
| {{tts|[[tee]]}} || 茶 || tea (from Amoy)
|[[tee]] {{sound|tee}} || 茶 || tea (from [[Exmngg-oe|Amoy]])
|-
|-
| {{tts|[[khaothaau]]}} || 叩頭 || {{wt|kowtow}} (to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect)
| [[khaothaau]] {{sound|khaothaau}} || 叩頭 || {{wt|kowtow}} (to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect)
|-
|-
| {{tts|[[kafmsia]]}} || 感謝 || {{wt|cumshaw}} (grateful thanks, from Amoy)
| [[kafmsia]] {{sound|kafmsia}} || 感謝 || {{wt|cumshaw}} (grateful thanks, from Amoy)
|-
|-
| {{tts|[[sampafn'ar]]}} || 舢舨仔 || {{wt|sampan}} (a flat-bottomed skiff used in eastern Asia and usually propelled by two short oars)
| [[sampafn'ar]] {{sound|sampafn'ar}} || 舢舨仔 || {{wt|sampan}} (a flat-bottomed skiff used in eastern Asia and usually propelled by two short oars)
|-
|-
| {{tts|[[Jidpurn]]}} || 日本 || Japan/Nippon
| [[Jidpurn]] {{sound|Jidpurn}} || 日本 || Japan/Nippon
|-
|-
| {{tts|[[Sekkhiaf]]}} || 釋迦 || sweetsop ({{w|sugar-apple}}), resembles top part of Gautama Buddha's (Sakyamuni) head  
| [[Sekkhiaf]] {{sound|Sekkhiaf}} || 釋迦 || sweetsop ({{w|sugar-apple}}), resembles top part of Gautama Buddha's (Sakyamuni) head  
|}
|}


===How to Count===
===How to Count===
There are two sets of [[sorji|numbers]] in Taiwanese, colloquial and literary. Use the colloquial style to count objects.
There are two sets of numbers in Taiwanese, colloquial and literary. The colloquial style is used for counting. See [[Hokkien numerals]].
{{HokkienLiteraryColloquial-Num}}


== Further study ==
== Further study ==

Latest revision as of 09:36, 13 April 2024

Taiwanese has been passed on for generations without a standardized writing system. Considered a variety of Hokkien, it is spoken natively by about 70% of the population of Taiwan, brought by immigrants from southern Fujian, mainly during the Qing dynasty. Taiwanese also contains loanwords from Japanese and the native Formosan languages, plus some Spanish, Dutch, and English.

A writing system using Latin characters, Peh-oe-ji, was developed by Western missionaries in the 19th century. The Presbyterian Church has been active in promoting Taiwanese and POJ since the late 19th century. In 1943, Liim Keahioong and classmates started work on a spelling system that evolved into Modern Literal Taiwanese (MLT), which is used by the Washington DC Taiwanese School and the system we use below.

Common Phrases

Main article: Common Taiwanese phrases

Lie hør
Hello!

Ciaqpar`bøe?
Hello. (Literally, "have you eaten your fill?")
Bøexbae!
Not bad.
Kafmsia!
Thank you.

Mxbiern-khehkhix!
You're welcome. / That's OK.

Lexicon

Main reference: Taiwanese Hokkien#Lexicon

Hokkien

As a variety of Hokkien, Taiwanese has many words with cognates in other Chinese varieties. False friends do exist; for example, zao (走) means "to run" in Taiwanese, whereas the Mandarin cognate, zǒu, means "to walk". Moreover, cognates may have different lexical categories; for example, the morpheme phvi (鼻) means not only "nose" (a noun, as in Mandarin bí) but also "to smell" (a verb, unlike Mandarin).

Harnji Reading(s) English
一 id one (1)
是 si to be
人 jiin person
我 goar, gvor me, I
大 toa, tai big
來 laai to come
國 kog kingdom, country, nation
你 lie you, your (汝)
地 tøe ground, earth
年 nii, lieen year

In Taiwanese, Harnji often have differing literary and colloquial readings (pronunciations). See Literary and colloquial readings of Chinese characters.

Some words just have no standard Harnji, and are variously considered colloquial, intimate, vulgar, uncultured, or more concrete in meaning than the pan-Chinese synonym. Some examples: laang (person, concrete) vs. jiin (人, person, abstract); zabor (woman) vs. lwjiin (女人, woman, literary); baq (meat). See Taiguo Siong'iong 460-ji and 臺灣閩南語推薦用字.

Austronesian

Main article: Taiwanese words from Austronesian

Some Taiwanese terms originate from the Austronesian Formosan Aboriginal Languages. For example, asef, meaning "silly goose", is from Sirayan. Many Taiwan placenames came from these languages, including Taioaan, Alysafn, Køelaang, etc. It is said that 70 to 80% of Taiwan placenames are from the Formosan Austronesian languages.

Japanese

Main article: Taiwanese words from Japanese

The Empire of Japan ruled Taiwan from 1895 to 1945. Extensive contact with the Japanese language has left a legacy of Japanese loanwords. Examples are: piexntofng, iafkiuu, piexnsor, huilengky, bixsox.

  • otofbae (from オートバイ ootobai "autobike", an "Engrish" word)
  • pharng (from パン pan "bread", which is itself a loanword from Portuguese).
  • Grammatical particles borrowed from Japanese, notably tek (from teki 的) and kaf (from か), show up in the Taiwanese of older speakers.

Western Languages

See Also: 台灣閩南語用詞#西洋語言

Taiwanese has words that come from Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish via its history (see Hølaan ee Formosa). Aside from placenames (like Samtiaw Kag and Huokuix Kag), most western words might be from English via Japanese (see Taiwanese words from English).

MTL Notes
bihluq from Dutch bier via Japanese
kaq from Dutch akker (acre): 2934 pvii
pak from Dutch pachten (to lease)
phorngphuq from Dutch pomp (pump)
angmngthoo they called the Dutch "angmo" savages (紅毛番 or 紅毛)。
sapbuun soap, from Portuguese: sabão

Getting started

Words you may recognize

MTL Tai. Hanji English Meaning
tee 茶 tea (from Amoy)
khaothaau 叩頭 kowtow (to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect)
kafmsia 感謝 cumshaw (grateful thanks, from Amoy)
sampafn'ar 舢舨仔 sampan (a flat-bottomed skiff used in eastern Asia and usually propelled by two short oars)
Jidpurn 日本 Japan/Nippon
Sekkhiaf 釋迦 sweetsop (sugar-apple), resembles top part of Gautama Buddha's (Sakyamuni) head

How to Count

There are two sets of numbers in Taiwanese, colloquial and literary. The colloquial style is used for counting. See Hokkien numerals.

Further study

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