Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Emotions & Feelings in Penang Hokkien

Kimster : I am so angry at my friend for not showing up. No, I am actually disappointed. Day, how can I express my emotions in Penang Hokkien ?
CCH :
  • Headache = Thow Thiah 
  • Stressed = Phaik Chek
  • Angry= Khee Hong
  • Outraged=Hoay Toak
  • Sad = Kek Sim
  • At peace= Cheng Sim
  • Happy = Huah Hee 
  • Disappointed = Sit Bang 
  • Frightened = Kiah 
  • Tired = Sian
  • Jealous = Chiak Chor
  • Embarrassed : Phai Seh
  • Shocked = Tiok Cheh Kiah
  • Excited=Chi Kek
  • Bored = Sian Liao
  • Shy = Kien Siau
  • Envy = Wan Tor; Ang Bak Chew
  • Worried = Khuan Sim
  • Proud = Chuaah
  • Humilated = Boh Bin
  • Engrossed = Jeep Sim
  • Peaceful = Cheng Sim

Welcome to Hokkien... Hokkien... Hokkien

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.