I was born, bred and probably die in Penang where Hokkien is the predominant Chinese dialet spoken. Penang Hokkien is quite different from the Hokkien spoken in the rest of Malaysia, Singapore and China in that it is sing-song in nature and contains quite a number of Malay words.
Being born a Hokkien would probably make you assume that I am very proficient in Hokkien. Believe it or not, English is my native language in that I think, dream and have nightmares in English ! I only realise that I hardly speak any Hokkien when in the early 1980's my "Jee Tneoh" i.e husband to my Mum's 2nd Sister asked why I reply in English when he asks me in Hokkien !
This blog basically documents what and how I am teaching Hokkien to my 2 daughters living with me i.e Kimster and Kister who are both studying in a Chinese School after 3 years in an English Pre-school.
I think "Lu tuah toh loh?" is more like "Where do you live?", isn't it?
ReplyDeleteFor "Where are you?" I usually use "Lu an toh loh?"
I don't know is it the same for Penang Hokkien, but I'm familiar with almost all of the posts here.. :)
Hi Agus
ReplyDeleteHmm... we don't use "Lu an toh loh?" in Penang
Where are you from ? Medan ?
Cheers !
We say - Lu ti toh loh
ReplyDeleteI've heard a Indonesian say " lu Dua bak lu", she is from Palembang. Does anyone know the meaning of bak Lu?
ReplyDeleteLu li ho bo
ReplyDelete