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1. In speaking of the points of the compass, the east heads the list, in the Foochow dialect. The four points are spoken of as 東 dĕ̤ng (or dŭng) 西南北 să̤ nàng báe̤k. The needle of the Chinese compass points south, and the compass is called 指南針 cī-nàng-cĕng. Intermediate positions are spoken of with the east and west preceding the north and south, contrary to English use. In the north, 着北邊 diŏh báe̤k biĕng. In the south-east 着東南邊 diŏh dĕ̤ng-nàng biĕng.
2. In asking distances and speaking of them, the verb 務 ô to have is used to indicate that there are so many miles, and the word 路 diô for road is sometimes added, and at times used instead of the word 里 lī for miles. How many miles to Ming-chiang, please? 請問至閩清務箬壞里 Chiāng muóng, gáu Mìng-chiăng ô niŏh-nâi lī? It is more than ten miles to Ming-chinag, 至閩清務十幾里 Gáu Mìng-chiăng ô sĕk-gūi li. How far is it from here to Cui-kau? 只塊至水口務箬壞遠 Cŭ-uái gáu Cūi-kāu ô niŏh-nâi huông? It is thirty li to Cui-kau, 至水口務三十里 三舖 Gáu Cūi-kāu ó săng-sĕk or săng puó.
