A Manual of the Foochow Dialect In Twenty Lessons/Lesson XIV

by C. M. S. and A. E. Champness

LESSON XIV.

本事 buōng-sê̤ṳ

ability

破 puái

broken

對 dó̤i

opposite to, to agree

倒 dō̤

to lie down

單倒 dăng-dó̤

on the contrary

拍 páh

to strike; aux. verb

求 gìu

to seek, implore

開 kŭi

to open

關 guŏng

to shut

合 hăk

to shut, agree with

球 gìu

a ball

既然 gé-iòng

since, already

一株𣗬 siŏh-dău chéu

a tree

前斗 sèng-dāu

in front of

一領蓆 siŏh-liāng chiŏh

a piece of matting

何況 hò̤-huóng

still more, how much more

並且 béng-chiā

also, moreover

碰 paûng

to strike against

逐 dṳ̆k

to expel, cast out

逷 dâung

to fall

燒 siĕu

to burn

送 sáe̤ng

to present, give, escort

會 huôi

to meet

贃 téng

to earn

趁 téng

to pass through, to avail oneself of

莽 muōng

permissive, particle

雖然 chŭi-iòng

although

也 iâ

also

杖 tiông

a staff, stick

富 bó

rich

仅活 bô-uăk

resurrection

不止 bók-cī

not only

其實 gì-sĭk

in truth

若使 iŏk-sṳ̄

if

假使 gā-sṳ̄

if

設使 siék-sṳ̄

granted that

仍原 ĭng-nguòng

still, yet

Conditional sentences:—

1. The Foochow Colloquial Dialect possesses a large number of words and phrases used to introduce conditional statements, answering to the English words and phrases “if”, “supposing that”, “granted that” etc. Such are 若使 iŏk-sṳ̄ if, 假使 gā-sṳ̄ supposing that, 設使 siék-sṳ̄ granted that, 㑚 nâ if, but, only. Each of these has its complement introducing the consequences of the action supposed to take place. 也 Iâ and 就 cêu are generally used for this purpose. At times the conditional words and phrases are omitted, being understood, but they must always be translated into English, when iâ and cíu are found introducing the consequences of the action. If God had not sent the Saviour, we could not go to heaven, 若使上帝毛差遣救主來奴各𠆧就賣上天堂 Iŏk-sṳ̄ Siông-Dá̤ mò̤ chă̤-kiēng Géu-Ciō lì, nù-gáuk-nè̤ng cˆú mâ̤ siông tiĕng dòng. If it be so, who will employ him? 㑚是將換俤𠆧⿰亻鞋肯用伊呢 Nâ se ciŏng-uâng, diê-nè̤ng â̤ king ê̤ṳng ĭ nì? If you want to go, you can go, 汝若使欲去就莽去 Nṳ̄ iŏk-sṳ̄ ó̤i kó̤, cêu muōng kó̤.

2. “Although” and “since” are expressed by 雖然 chŭi-iòng and 既然 gé-iòng. 也 Iâ, 就 cêu and 其實 gì-sĭk with 仍原 ìng nguòng and other words, acts as complements to these phrases. Although he died, he also came to life again, 伊雖然死去其實也仅活 I chŭi-iòng sī-kó̤, gì-sĭk iâ bô-năk. Although he is a rich man, he has not subscribed largely, 伊雖然是富𠆧仍原毛題盡⿰亻西其錢 I chăi-iòng sê bó-nè̤ng, ĭng nguuòng mò̤ dà̤ cêng sâ̤ gì cièng. Gì-sĭk is also used in introducing a statement controverting a previous one, and may be translated as “the truth of the matter”. He said it was that way, but really it was not so, 伊講是將換其實伓是將換 I gōng sê ciŏng uâng, gì-sĭk ng sê ciŏng-uâng. Other phrases introducing sentences which complete or amplify the meaning of the preceding sentences, are 並且 béng-chiā also, moreover, and 何況 hò̤-huóng moreover, still more, indicating intensity of degree. If teachers fail to set a good example, how can scholars hope to set an example? 若使做先生其都毛模樣何況做學生其務模樣呢 Iŏk-sṳ̄ cò̤ Sŭng-săng gì dŭ mò̤ muō-iòng, hò̤-huóng có̤ hŏk-sĕng gì ò muò-iông nì? Not only does he excel in studying his books, but his handwriting is also excellent, 伊不止㑚書讀盡好並且伊其字也寫的盡好 I bôk-cī nâ cṳ̆ tĕ̤k cêng hō̤, bêng-chiā i gì cê ia siā-sêk cêng hō̤.

3. In speaking of alternatives, and using the construction “either—or” iâ repeated is employed, with or without a negative, or we may repeat the same statement. Did you say it or did he? 是汝講其吓是伊講其呢 Sê nṳ̄ gōng gì â, sê ĭ gaong gì nì? He worships neither God nor idols, 伊是伓拜菩薩也伓拜上帝 I iâ ng bái bù-sák, iâ ng bái Siông-Dá̤. Neither has he much ability, 伊也毛世乇本事 I iâ mò̤ sié-nó̤h buōng-sê̤ṳ.

4. Such phrases as “you may as well”, “had better”, “very good”, “that will do” are expressed by the use of, ⿰亻鞋使的 â̤ sāi-dék, muōng and â̤ in different combinations. Will it do to ask him for the loan of a dollar? Yes. 𠍒伊借一塊錢⿰亻鞋使的賣⿰亻鞋使的 Múóng ĭ cióh siŏk-dó̤i cièng â̤ sāi-dék mâ̤? â̤ sāi-dék. You had better go behind and look if the dog is there, 汝莽去後斗看犬仔着許塊毛 Nṳ̄ muōng kó̤ â-dāu káng kēng-giāng diŏh hṳ̆-uái mò̤. As large as this will do very well, 只大⿰亻鞋使的 Ci duâi â̤ sāi-dék.

5. 打 Dā to strike, is used in Foochow Colloquial as an axuiliary verb in the phrases 打聽 dā-téng to make enquiries, 打發 dā-huák to send on an errand, 打工 dā-gĕ̤ng to job out work, 打𠋡 dā-siăh to board oneself. 拍 Páh is the more commonly used word meaning to strike, and is also widely used as an auxiliary verb, and frequently as a sign of the Passive voice. 拍破 Páh-puái broken, 拍毛 páh-mò̤ lost, 拍逷 páh-dâung fallen, 拍球 páh-gìu to play ball, 拍單 páh-giêu to bring over an empty sedan chair.

6. Téng-siăh means to earn a living wage. In this business he can make a living, 伊做者代⿰亻鞋贃的食 I có̤ ciā dâi â̤ téng-dék siăh.

7. Proportion and comparison are shown by the use of 分 hŭng a tenth part, sĕk-hŭng denotes perfection or completion. Seven or eight per cent better, 好七八分 hō̤ chék-báik hŭng. Perfect, 十分 sĕk-ciòng.

8. 倒 Dō̤, read second tone, means to lie down. He is lying on the bed just now, 伊現在倒眠床禮 I hiêng-câi dō̤ mìng-chòng lā̤. Read third tone dó̤ holds the meaning of “on the contrary”. It is then often combined wtih dăng. Although he is not very wise, nevertheless in his studies he excels the other. 伊雖然伓是大聰明其𠆧㑚落讀書其代單倒故贏去許一隻 I chŭi-iòng ng-sê duâi chŭng-mìng gì nè̤ng, nâ lŏ̤h tĕ̤k-cṳ̆ gì dâi dăng-dó̤ gó iàng-kó̤ hṳ̄ siŏh-ciáh. After all, it is so, 倒也是 dó̤ iâ sê.

9. 趁 Téng bears the meaning of passing through a place, and also of availing oneself of an opportunity. We pass through Cui-kau in traveling from Foochow to Ku-cheng, 由福州去古田趁水口過 Iù Hôk-cĭu kó̤ Kū-chèng téng Cūi-kāu guó. He availed himself of that opportunity to see his father, 伊趁那機會去見伊其郎罷 I téng hiā gī-huôi kó̤ giéng ĭ gì nòng-mâ.

10. The words “open” and “shut” are translated in different ways according to the precise nature of the action. To open the eyes, 目睭擘開 mĕk-ciŭ báh-kăi. To open the mouth, 嘴擘開 chói báh-kŭi. Open the door, 開門 kui muòng. Close the book, 書合去 cṳ̆ hăk-kó̤. Close your eyes, 目睭尅去 mĕk-ciŭ káik-kó̤. Shut the door, 關門 guŏng muòng. Kăi is also used for winding up a clock. Did you wind up the clock yesterday? 一暝鍾開昧 Siŏh-màng cṳ̆ng kŭi muôi?

EXERCISE XIV.

眼鏡 ngāng-giáng

spectacles

唐哺 dòng-buŏ

husband

後生仔 hâu-săng-giāng

a young man

抖 dāu

to shake clothes

影 ōng

shadow

老小 lō̤-siēu

wife

檻門 kāng-muòng

window

鱟葉門 háu-hiĕk-muòng

shutters

仈長 báik-diòng

to hear by report

拾起 kák-kī

to pick up

摺 ciék

to fold

認鄭 nêng-dâng

to apologise, confess a fault

Translate into English:—

1. Gĭng-dáng sê miéh-nó̤h nĭk-cī.
2. Nè̤ng-gă sáe̤ng nṳ̄ chók siàng.
3. Nè̤ng-gă gì cṳ̆ páh-dâung kó̤, kī-dâe̤ng nṳ̄ tá̤ nguāi kăk-kī.
4. Nè̤ng-gă diŏh gă̤-dŏng pâung diŏh ĭ.
5. Nù-gáuk-nè̤ng gé-iòng mó̤ gŭng-lò̤, dék-diŏh āi-kó̤ Ià-Sŭ.
6. Nguāi-gáuk-nè̤ng diŏh huói-gāi iâ diŏh séng Ià-Sŭ.
7. Nè̤ng sĕk-hŭng ô dâng.
8. Cī sâ̤ gūi, Ià-Sŭ â̤ dṳ̆k chók kó̤.
9. Chŭi-iòng ĭ sê bó-nè̤ng, gì-sĭk ĭ gì bèng-iū mò̤ niŏh sâ̤.
10. Gĭng-buŏ nṳ̄ muōng ciŏng măh-hūng dò̤ kó̤ céng, mìng-dáng-cā cêu gó-ká̤ ê̤ṳ-bê.
11. Nè̤ng-gă lā̤ páh giù, bŏ̤-là̤ páh-puái kó̤, chiāng Sĭng-săng kuăng-ṳ̀ng nguāi.
12. Ĭ ng-kīng có̤, nâ táu-nĭk dŭ sê sô̤i.
13. Ĭ ô sé-sĕk huói, cêu mâ̤ ó̤h nguôi-guók gì uâ.
14. Ciā uăk giŭ kó̤, ké̤ṳk nguāi sê̤ṳng kák nâung. Dò̤ kó̤ hŏk-sĕng sê̤ṳng â-sāi-dék.
15. Ng-tĕ̤ng ŏ̤h Lī Sĭng-săng gōng-uâ, Ĭ gōng dék cêng ká̤.

Translate into Chinese:—

1. He also is a good man.
2. I told him that he could not do it.
3. There is a tree on ahead.
4. Give him this old mat.
5. Since it is so, we must not go back.
6. If they did not beat him it is all right.
7. He not only offended me, but he also refuses to apologise.
8. I have lost my spectacles, please search for them.
9. This room is very dark, please open the shutters and shut the (glass) windows.
10. My wife is here, and I am taking this opportunity of seeing the city.
11. These clothes are all mildewed. Shake them one by one and hang them in the sun to dry.
12. The school boys presented me with cakes and oranges.
13. If you know him, you may as well invite him to supper.
14. The children are lying on the bed, and will not get up.
15. The book has fallen behind the table.