A Corpus of Cantonese Ideophones [PDF]

Citation preview

A Corpus of



Cantonese Ideophones



Adams Bodomo The University of Hong Kong



(updated on June 3, 2008)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



1



INTRODUCTION Words are the seeds of syntax, and word classes like verbs and nouns project their peculiar grammatical features. An understanding of the grammatical structure of a language therefore subsumes an understanding of the various word classes in that language. Yet it is often challenging to neatly group all words of a language into classes. Ideophones typify such features of wordhood and lexicality in grammar (Voeltz and Kilian-Hatz 2001). However, there is considerable controversy as to whether they constitute a coherent class or are indeed distributed across many word classes (e.g. Newman 1968, 2000). This corpus is a database of potential ideophones in Cantonese, elicited from a group of native Cantonese1 speakers in Hong Kong. What are Ideophones? Doke (1935) is often credited with the term “ideophone” which is defined as: “A vivid representation of an idea in sound. A word, often onomatopoeic, which describes a predicate, qualificative or adverb in respect to manner, colour, sound, smell, action, state or intensity.” (Doke 1935: 118, cited in Voeltz and Kilian-Hatz 2001). The term has found its way into many linguistic texts, especially dictionaries and lexicons. Trask (1993: 131-132) defines an ideophone as “[O]ne of a grammatically distinct class of words, occurring in certain languages, which typically express either distinctive sounds or visually distinctive types of action.” Crystal (1997:189) on the other defines an ideophone as a “…term used in linguistics and phonetics for any vivid representation of an idea in sound, such as occurs through onomatopoeia.” This corpus of Cantonese ideophones, however, shows that ideophones are not necessarily onomatopoeic. Another issue arising from studies of ideophones is whether or not ideophones constitute a word class. Crystal”s definition of ideophones goes on to specify that in Bantu linguistics, “it is the name of a particular word class containing sound symbolic words.” In fact, in many other languages of Africa and other parts of the world, ideophones are often treated as belonging to a specific word class (Bodomo [2000] for Dagaare, Kulemeka [1997] for Chichewa, Newman [1968, 2000] for Hausa, etc.). However there is considerable controversy as to whether they constitute a coherent class or are indeed distributed across many word classes.



1



Cantonese is a Yue dialect of Chinese that is spoken widely in many regions in Southern China, including Guangdong and Hong Kong.



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



2



About the Corpus What qualifies as an ideophone in Cantonese? “Complex Adjectives”? In Cantonese, a group of words with striking morphophonological, syntactic and semantic features seem to be very much comparable to the class of words called ideophones in Dagaare and other African languages. They seem at first blush to be composed out of adjectives and, as mentioned above, have indeed been categorized as a class of adjectives and given the term “complex adjectives” (Lau 1999). However, a striking difference between these and “simple adjectives” in Chinese is that it is hard to give them denotational, dictionary meaning. If they were really a class of adjectives they ought to have identifiable meanings like other adjectives. Morphophonological Features Reduplication and onomatopoeia are overarching morphophonological features in the formation of Cantonese ideophones. From our preliminary observations of the data, a typical Cantonese ideophone consists of two to four syllables. Very often, an adjective or a part of it is reduplicated in several ways. We have identified nine morphological types. They are: (i) AA, as in 叮叮 ding1 ding1. (ii) AB, as in 巴渣 baa1 zaa1, (iii) ABC, as in 無里頭 mou4 lei4 tau4, (iv) AAB, as in 嘭嘭聲 mou4 lei4 tau4, (v) ABB, as in 長癩癩 coeng4 laai4 laai4, (vi) ABCD, as in 砰擰繃 bing4 ling1 baang4 laang4, (vii) ABAC, as in 花呢花碌 faa1 li1 faa1 luk1, (viii) ABAB, as in 霎下霎下 saap6 haa5 saap6 haa5, and (ix) AABB. 岩岩慚慚 aam4 aam4 cam4 caam4 Syntactic Features It appears that, like Dagaare and other African language data, ideophones in Cantonese do not enter into morphosyntactic modification. While they may qualify or extend the meaning of some other word class or phrase in the syntax, they are themselves not modified by other word classes, nor do they enter into any morphosyntactic affixation to form phrases or other units of syntax within the construction, as illustrated in examples (a)-(e). (a)



間



房 黑 媽 媽 ,你



點



睇 到 書



gaan1 fong2 hak1 maa1 maa1, nei5 dim2 tai2 dou2 syu1 CL room black maa maa 2.SG how read able to book “This room is so dark. How can you read?”



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



?



gaa3 PART



3



(b)



(c)



(d)



佢



寫



到







個



地 -下



濕



佢



成



密 質 質 咁



字



難



睇



喎



好



跣



開 心



喎



啊





2 go3 dei6-haa2 sap1 det6 det6, hou2 sin3 aa3! CL floor wet-det-det INTENS slippery PART “The floor is so wet and slippery.”



朝



頭 耷 耷,



都



咁



Keoi5 seng4 ziu1 dou1 tau4 dap1 dap1 gam2, 3.SG all morning dou1 head-down down –like, “He/She seems to be in a bad mood for the whole morning.”



(e)



好



, Keoi5 se2 dou3 di1 zi6 mat6 zat1 zat1 gam2, hou2 naan4 tai2 wo3 3.SG write dou DET words dense-zat1-zat1 –like, INTENS difficult read PART “S/he writes in a densely-packed manner. It”s so difficult to understand (his/her hand writing).”



你



  聲



做



埋



 



好 似



hou2 ci5 seem NEG



然 後 去



Nei5 laa4 laa2 seng1 zou6 maai4 di1 je5 jin4 hau6 heoi3 2.SG hurry up do PERF DET thing then go “You should hurry up and finish your work so that you can have your meal.”



唔



m4 hoi1 sam1 wo3 happy PART



食 飯 啦



sik6 faan6 laa1 eat rice PART



Semantic/pragmatic Functions Ideophones in Cantonese do not seem to have independent denotational, dictionary meaning. It is hard to gloss and translate them morpheme for morpheme. This is exactly the case with ideophones in many languages that depend on the meaning of other words or on the context of the enunciation for meaning ascription. Speaker-linguists often say that ideophones feature more in colloquial and oral language situations than in formal and written language situations. This again is exactly the situation in many cultures with ideophones attested in their languages. Where do the data come from? The data were collected from a variety of spoken and written sources. The corpus contains a total of 178 ideophonic expressions with example sentences, 50 of which were collected from local newspapers and magazines by one of the Research Assistants, Bonnie Wong. All these sources are cited as footnotes in the corpus. The rest of the ideophones and their corresponding example sentences were elicited from a group of native Cantonese speakers. How is the corpus organized? Two methods are used to organize the 177 ideophones and their example sentences. The first part of the corpus is arranged semantically according to the entities they imitate or describe. These categories include, but are not limited to, sound symbolisms, lights, actions, manners, and states. 2



When there is no character representation of a certain syllable, a phonologically similar character is adopted. If no such character can be identified, the symbol
is used.



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



4



The second part of the corpus organizes the data in terms of the nine morphological types identified in Bodomo (2004) and Wong (2005) – AA, AB, ABC, AAB, ABB, ABCD, ABAC, ABAB, and AABB. All of the ideophonic items are arranged in alphabetical order under each of their corresponding categories. All Chinese/Cantonese data in this corpus are translated into English. For the purpose of illustration, these examples are also glossed and translated in the following format: Chinese/Cantonese characters: Cantonese Romanization3 with tones4: 5



Morpheme-to-morpheme translation : Free translation in English:



條 繩







度



吊 吊 □



tiu4 sing4



hai6



dou3



diu4 diu2 fing6



CL rope



be



dou6



hang-hang-fing6



“The rope is hanging loosely.”



Bibliography Bodomo, A. 2000. Dagaare: Languages of the World Materials no 165. Lincom Europa Bodomo, A. 2003-2005. Ideophones in African and Asian Languages. Project website: http://www.hku.hk/linguist/research/bodomo/ideophones/ Bodomo, A. 2004. The structure of Ideophones in African and Asian Languages: The case of Dagaare and Cantonese. Paper presented at the 35th Annual Conference on African Linguistics. Harward University. April 2-4. Bodomo, A. forthcoming. The Structure of Ideophones in African and Asian Languages: The Case of Dagaare and Cantonese. In: Mugane, J. and J. Hutchison (eds.). Selected Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference on African Linguistics: African Languages and Linguistics in Broad Perspective. Cascadilla Press. Crystal, David. 1997. A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics. Blackwell Publishers Doke, C. M. 1935. Bantu Linguistic Terminology. London: Longmans, Green & Co. Kulemeka, Andrew Tilimbe. 1997. The grammatical category of Chichewa ideophones. In Herbert Robert ed. African Linguistics at the Crossroads: Papers from Kwaluseni. Rudiger Koppe Verlag Koln Lau, Wai-man Vendy. 1999. A Study of Adjectives in Cantonese. M.Phil. thesis, University of Hong Kong. Newman, P. 1968. Ideophones from a syntactic point of view. Journal of West African Languages 5: 107-117.



Newman, P. 2000. The Hausa Language: An Encyclopaedic Reference Grammar. Yale University Press 3



Cantonese romanizations in this corpus are based on the Cantonese Romanization Scheme, developed by the Linguistic Society of Hong Kong (LSHK).URL: http://cpct92.cityu.edu.hk/lshk/Jyutping/index.htm, and LSHK. 1997. Guide to LSHK Cantonese Romanization of Chinese Characters. Hong Kong: LSHK. 4 This corpus adopts 6 basic tones in Cantonese: Tone 1: High Level; Tone 2: High Rising; Tone 3: Mid Level; Tone 4: Low Falling; Tone 5: Low Rising; Tone 6: Low Level. 5 Abbreviations used: 1/2/3.SG/PL = 1st/2nd/3rd person singular/plural, CL = classifier, INTENS = intensifier, INTJ. = interjection, (neg.) = the expression has negative meaning, NEG = negative marker, PART = particle, POSS = possessive marker



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



5



Trask, R. L. 1993. A Dictionary of Grammatical Terms in Linguistics. London: Routledge. Watson, R. L. 2001. A comparison of some Southeast Asian ideophones with some African ideophones. In Ideophones, edited by F. K. E. Voeltz and C. Kilian-Hatz. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Wong, P. L. Bonnie. 2005. Cantonese Ideophones: A Lexical-Functional Grammar Analysis. Unpublished Extended Essay. The University of Hong Kong. Voeltz, F. K. E and C. Kilian-Hatz. 2001. (eds). Ideophones. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Acknowledgements A number of people have contributed to the construction of this corpus. I would like to thank my Research Assistants, Carmen Lee, Bonnie Wong, and Parco Wong, all of whom are native Cantonese speakers, for providing some of the data for this corpus and word-processing this document. In particular, I thank Bonnie for collecting data from newspapers and magazines. This corpus is part of the project “Ideophones in African and Asian Languages”, funded by the University of Hong Kong (Ref: 10205161), to which I am also very grateful.



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



6



THE CORPUS



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



7



PART I: SEMANTIC AND PRAGMATIC FUNCTIONS 1. SOUND SYMBOLISMS baang4 baang4 seng1(嘭嘭 嘭嘭聲 嘭嘭聲)6: increasing rapidly



1.



米 高 唔知係 咪 呢 排 打 官 司 打 到 窮 所 以



, mai5-gou1 m4 zi1 hai6 mai1 lei1-paai4 daa2-gun1-si1 daa2 dou3 kung4, so2-ji5 Michael NEG know is mai1 recently attend-courts attend dou3 poor, so-that



嘭



諗 起事 業 發 到



嘭



聲 嘅 妮 歌



lam2-hei2 si6-jip6 faat3 dou3 baang4 baang4 seng1 ge3 nei4-go1 think-of career develop dou3 baang4-baang4-sound ge3 Nicole



“Michael has recently been dealing with many court cases which cost him a fortune. And that might be the reason why he thinks of Nicole, whose career is at its pinnacle.”



bing4 ling1 baang3 laang4 (砰擰 砰擰繃 砰擰繃), noise made by falling things



2.



間



房



裡 面



砰



擰



繃







做 乜



咁



嘈



gaan1 fong4 lei5-min6 bing4 ling1 baang3 laang4, zou6 mat1 gam3 CL room inside bing4-ling1-baang3-laang4, do what so noisy “How come the room is so noisy?”



cou4



caat3 laa3(嚓喇 嚓喇) 嚓喇 7: sound made when something passes through a hole perfectly



3.



嚓 喇 一 聲



籃球



擦



過



籃



板



“ ” laam4 kau4 “caat3 laa3” jat1 sing1 caat3 gwo3 laam4 baan2 basket ball “caat3-laa3” one sound pass through basket board “The basketball passed through the net perfectly.”



dik6 dik6 zai2 (滴 滴滴仔), 滴仔 a way of playing table tennis



4.



我



打



乒 乓



波



最



鐘 意 打



滴 滴 仔 



, ngo5 daa1 ping1-pong1-bo1, zeoi3 zung1-ji3 daa1 dik6 dik6 zai2 gaa3 1.SG hit table tennis , most love hit dik6-dik6-zai2 PART “I like to play with dik6-dik6-zai2 style when I play table tennis.”



ding1 ding1 (叮叮 叮叮), 叮叮 tram in Hong Kong



5.



我



最



鐘 意



搭 嘅 交



通



工



具



就 係



ngo5 zeoi3 zung1-ji3 daap3 ge3 gaau1-tung1 gung1-geoi6 zau6 hai6 1.SG most love take POSS transport tool zau6 be “Tram is my favorite public transport.”



ding1 dong3 (叮噹 叮噹), 叮噹 sound of door bell



6.



做 乜 個 門 鐘 成 日 叮 噹



叮 噹



咁



叮 叮



ding1 ding1 tram



喇



laa1 PART



嚮 嘅



,? zou6 mat1 go3 mun4 zung1 seng4 jat6 ding1 dong3 ding1 dong3 gam2 hoeng2 ge2? Do what CL door bell all day ding1-dong3-ding1-dong3 gam2 ring PART “Why is the doorbell keep ringing?”



6 7



from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004) from Ming Pao (27/9/2004: A23)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



8



ding4 ding1 dam4 dam3 (叮叮 叮叮沊沊 傾拎框冷 叮叮沊沊)/ 沊沊 king1 ling1 kwaang1 laang1 (傾拎 傾拎框冷), 框冷 to describe somebody wearing lots of jewels



7.



佢



好



貪



靚



 成



日 都 成



叮 叮



身



沊 沊 



, keoi5 hou2 taam1 leng3 gaa3, seng4 jat6 dou1 seng4 san1 ding4 ding1 dam4 dam3 gaa3 3.SG INTENS greedy beauty gaa3 all day dou1 all body ding4 ding1 dam4 dam3 gaa3 “She likes dressing up herself and she always wears lots of accessories on her.”



gei1 li1 gu1 lou1(嘰哩咕嚕 嘰哩咕嚕) 嘰哩咕嚕 8, sound of a foreign language



8.



施



南 生 忽 然 嘰 哩咕嚕 地 用



之 類



avez-vous diné sil-naam4-sang1 fat1-jin4 gei1 li1 gu1 lou1 dei6 jing6 avez-vous diné zi1-leoi6 Si-naam-sang suddenly gei1-li1-gu1-lou1 dei6 use avez-vous diné type



法 文



跟 身 邊 一 位



朋



友



客 套



商



量



faat3-man4 gan1 san1-bin1 jat1 wai2 pang4-jau5 haak3-tou3 soeng1-loeng4 French with nearby one CL friend kindly discuss “Si-naam-sang suddenly spoke to her friend in French, something like “avez-vous dine?”.”



ji4 ji4 aa1 aa1(咦咦呀呀 咦咦呀呀) 咦咦呀呀 9, sound produced by a violin



9.



只見 那 老 伯 先 把 琴 架 在 肩



上 下



巴一 夾



, , zi2 gin3 naa5 lou5 baak3 sin1 baa2 kam4 gaa3-zoi6 gin1 soeng6, haa6-baa1 jat1 gaap3, just see that old man firstly put violin on shoulder surface, chin one hold,



咦咦 呀呀 拉 出 天 鵝 湖



... ji4 ji4 aa1 aa1 laai1 ceot1...tin1 ngo4 wu4 ji4-ji4-aa1-aa1 play ceot1…The Swan Lake “(Somebody) saw the old man put the violin on his shoulder and held it under his chin. He then played “The Swan Lake”.” 10.



meou1 meou1 (喵喵 喵喵), 喵喵 cat / sound made by a cat



隻



貓



成



日



喵 喵 咁



叫



好



煩



, zek3 miu4 seng4 jat6 meou1 meou1 gam3 giu3, hou2 faan4 CL cat all day meou1 meou1 gam3 meow, INTENS annoying “The cat always keeps on meowing, which is very annoying.”



11.



呀



aa1 PART



si4 li1 saa4 laa4 (嘶哩唦 嘶哩唦 嘶哩唦), Sounds of rain drops



出



面



好



大



雨



成



日



都



, 嘶 哩 唦  咁 聲 ceot1-min6 hou2 daai6 jyu5, seng4 jat6 dou1 si4 li1 saa4 laa4 gam2 seng1 outside INTENS big rain, all day dou1 si4 li1 saa4 laa4 gam2 sound “It is raining in torrents out there. I can hear it.” 12.



syut4 syut4 seng1 ( 雪 雪聲 雪聲)10, noise made when somebody eats



怪



不 得 一 向



怕 食 生



蛋 的 我 都 吃到 雪 雪



聲



gwaai3 bat1 dak1 jat1-hoeng3 paa3 sik6 sang1 gai1 daan2 dik1 ngo5 dou1 hek3 dou3 syut3 syut3 seng1 strange NEG dak1 always afraid eat uncooked chicken egg dik1 1.SG dou1 eat dou3 syut3-syut3-sound “No wonder I still find them delicious, even though I usually hate raw eggs.”



8



from Ming Pao (4/10/2004)



9



from Apple Daily (11/10/2004) from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004)



10



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



9



13.



wou1 wou1 (


), dog / sound made by a dog



媽 咪 話



會



買 隻



狗 俾



我 做



生日



禮物



呀！





maa1-mi4 waa6 wui5 maai5 zek3 wou1 wou1 gau2 bei2 ngo5 zou6 saang1-jat6 lai5-mat6 aa3 mother say will buy CL wou1-wou1 dog give 1.SG as birthday give PART “Mummy said she”ll buy me a dog for my birthday.” 14.



zi1 zi1 seng1(吱吱聲 吱吱聲) 吱吱聲 11, creaking sound



門



鉸 生



銹 吱吱 聲



mun4-gaau3 sang1-sau3 zi1 zi1 seng1 door hinge grow rust zi1-zi1-seng1 “There is a creaking sound coming from the rusted door hinge.”



1. LIGHTS 15.



gwong1 caang4 caang4 (光撐撐 光撐撐), 光撐撐 (very) bright



間



房



咁 光 撐



撐



唔 該 熄 



盞 燈



啦



, gaan1 fong4 gam3 gwong1 caang4 caang4, m4-goi1 sik1 zo2 zaan2 dang1 laa1 CL room so bright-caang4-caang4, please switch-off PERF CL light PART “The room is too bright. Please switch off the light.” 16.



hak1 maa1 maa1 (黑媽媽 黑媽媽)/hak1 mang1 mang1 (黑盟盟 黑盟盟)/ 黑咪媽) 黑媽媽 黑盟盟 hak1 mi1 maa1 (黑咪媽 黑咪媽 (very) dark



間



黑 媽 媽, 唔 該



房 咁



開



晒



所 有 燈



gaan1 fong4 gam3 hak1 maa1 maa1,m4-goi1 hoi1 saai3 so2-jau5 CL room gam3 black-maa1-maa1, please switch-on saai3 all “The room is so dark. Please switch on all the lights.



啦



dang1 laa1 light PART



2. ACTIONS 17.



aai1 aai1 bang6 bang1 (挨挨崩崩 挨挨崩崩), 挨挨崩崩 the act of leaning on something/somebody



唔



好 



度



挨 挨 崩 崩



啦



企



直







, ng4 hou2 hai2 dou3 aai1 aai1 bang6 bang1 laa1, kei5 zik6 se1 NEG good be dou3 aai1-aai1-bang6-bang1 PART, stand upright little “Stop leaning here and there. Stand upright.”



18.



am4 am4 cam4 cam4 (唵唵 唵唵 噚噚), 噚噚 murmuring



佢



成 日 唵 唵 噚 噚



真



係 好



煩



, keoi5 seng4 jat6 am4 am4 cam4 cam4, zan1 hai6 hou2 faan4 3.SG all day am4-am4-cam4-cam4, really is INTENS disturbing “He/she is always murmuring, which is really annoying.”



11



from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



10



19.



bang1 bang1 tiu3(蹦蹦跳 蹦蹦跳) 蹦蹦跳 12, jumping around



瑤 瑤 一 馬 當



先 排 在 最 前 見 到 爹 哋即 蹦 蹦 跳 走 出 來



, jiu4 jiu4 jat1-maa5-dong1-sin1 paai4 zoi6 zeoi3 cin4, gin3 dou3 de1-di4 zik1 bang1 bang1 tiu3 zau2 ceot1-loi4 Jiu-jiu fastest line-up at most up-front, see dou3 father immediately baang6-baang6-jump run out “Jiu-jiu lined up at the most first position. She jumped to her father immediately when she saw him.” 20.



be1 be1 gung3 (啤啤 啤啤貢 啤啤貢), staring



做



咩 啤 啤 貢



呀



想



打



交



呀



, ? zou6 me1 be1 be1 gung3 aa1, soeng2 daa1-gaau1 aa1 do what stare-stare-gung3 PART want fight PART “What are you staring at? You want to have a fight?”



21.



cit1 coet1 gam3 zyun3 (□□咁轉), 咁轉 going around



我



今 日 成



日  公



司



□ □



咁 轉，



忙



到



不 得 了 呀！



Ngo5 gam- jat6 seng4 jat6 hai2 gung1-si1 cit1 coet1 gam3 zyun3, mong4 dou3 bat1-dak1-liu5 aa3 1.SG today whole day be office cit1-coet-gam3-turn-round busy dou3 extremely PART “I”ve been extremely busy and turning round and round the office for the whole day.” 22.



diu4 diu2 fing6 (吊吊 吊吊□), hanging loosely (about to fall down)



條



係 吊 吊



繩



□,



綁



返



實



佢



啦



tiu4 sing4 hai6 dou3 diu4 diu2 fing6, bong2 faan2 sat6 keoi5 laa1 CL rope be dou6 hang-hang-fing6, tie back tight 3.SG PART “The rope is hanging loosely. Fasten it.” 23.



goek3 ngan3 ngan3 (腳 腳韌韌) 韌韌腳 韌韌 / ngan3 ngan3 goek3 (韌韌 韌韌腳), leg/feet moving, shaking



唔



腳 韌 韌 啦



好



, m4 hou2 goek3 ngan3 ngan3 laa1, NEG good leg-shake-shake PART, “Stop shaking your legs. It is impolite.” 24.



無



mou4 without



禮 貌







lai5-maau6 gaa3 courtesy PART



gwaa1 gwaa1 giu3(呱呱叫 呱呱叫) 呱呱叫 13, shouting / yelling / talking loudly



上



海 話 更 是呱



呱 叫



soeng6-hoi2 waa2 gang3 si6 gwaa1 gwaa1 giu3 Shanghai dialect INTENS is gwaa1-gwaa1-giu3 “(S/he) spoke with fluent Shanghai dialect.”



25.



haa1 haa1 siu3 (哈哈笑 哈哈笑) 笑哈哈), 哈哈笑 / siu3 haa1 haa1 (笑哈哈 笑哈哈 laughing



佢



成



日



哈



哈



笑 一 啲 都 唔



正



經



, keoi5 seng4 jat6 haa1 haa1 siu3, jat1 di1 dou1 m zing3-ging1 3.SG whole day haa1-haa1-laugh, one little dou1 NEG serious “S/he is laughing all the time. S/he doesn”t look serious.”



26.



hau2 maak3 maak3 (口 口擘擘), 擘擘 mouth opening (when one being surprised/shocked)



佢



俾 隻 狗 嚇



到



口 擘 擘



keoi5 bei2 zek3 gau2 haak3 dou3 hau2 maak3 maak3 3.SG bei2 CL dog scare dou3 mouth-open-open “S/he is scared off by the dog and can”t say anything.”



12 13



呀



aa1 PART



出 唔 到



聲



ceot1 m4 dou2 seng1 out NEG dou2 sound



from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004) from Ming Pao (4/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



11



27.



hau2 zat6 zat6 (口 口窒窒), 窒窒 halting, being hesitant and uncertain



佢



講



口







窒 窒



咁



一 定  度



講







大 話



, keoi5 gong2 je5 hau2 zat6 zat6 gam2, jat1-deng6 hai6 dou3 gong2 gan2 daai6-waa6 3.SG talk thing mouth-obstruct-obstruct gam2 must be dou6 talk PROG lie “S/he is speaking hesitantly. I think h/she must be telling lies.” 28.



hei3 cyun2 cyun2 (氣喘喘 氣喘喘) 氣喘喘 14, breathless



每 次 出 場 都



氣 喘



喘



Rosemary Rosemary mui5-ci3 ceot1 coeng4 dou1 hei3 cyun2 cyun2 Rosemary every time appear show dou1 air-cyun2-cyun2 “Every time when Rosemary appears, she is breathless.” 29.



nau2 nau2 ling6 ling6 (扭扭擰擰 扭扭擰擰) 扭扭擰擰 15, twisting / being indecisive



據 知 佘詩 曼 早 前 為纖體 公 司 拍 廣



告 又 扭 扭 擰 擰



geoi3-zi1 se4-si1-maan6 zou2-cin4 wai6 cim1-tai2 gung1-si1 paak3 gwong2-gou3 yau3 nau2 nau2 ling6 ling6 rumour Se-si-maan early for slimming corporation videotape advertisement also nau2-nau2-ling6-ling6 “There was a rumour saying that Se-si-maan was not very cooperative when she videotaped an advertisement for a slimming company.” 30.



ngaan5 gwat6 gwat6 (眼掘掘 眼掘掘) 眼超超) 啤啤供), 眼掘掘 / ngaan5 ciu1 ciu1 (眼超超 眼超超 / be1 be1 gung4 (啤啤供 啤啤供 the act of staring



做



咩



眼 掘 掘



呀？



zung6 mat1 je5 ngaan5 gwat6 gwat6 aa1 Do what eye-stare-stare PART “Why are you staring at me?” (being provocative) 31.



ngaan5 zaam2 zaam2 (眼斬斬 眼斬斬), 眼斬斬 blinking eyes



你



睇 下



個



仔



眼



斬 斬



幾



BB nei5 tai2 haa5 go3 bi4 bi1 zai2 ngaan5 zaam2 zaam2, gei2 2.SG look haa5 CL baby little eye-blink-blink, INTENS “Look. The baby is blinking its eyes. See, how cute it is.” 32.



－



得意



dak1-ji3 cute



bing4 bing4 tiu3(砰 砰砰跳) 砰跳 16, beating (usually of heart)



人



心 跟 着 砰 砰 跳 跳 過 了 半 夜



, jan4 sam1 gan1 zoek6 bing4 bing4 tiu3, tiu3 gwo3 liu5 bun3-je6 human heart follow ASP bing4-bing4-jump, jump over PART mid-night “The hearts of people were bouncing. They did not even slow down after mid-night.” 33.



siu3 ke4 ke4 (笑騎騎 笑騎騎) 騎騎笑 笑騎騎 17/ ke4 ke4 siu3 (騎騎 騎騎笑), laughing



葉 璇 夜 攜 男



伴 睇



戲



笑 騎騎



jip6-syun4 je6 kwai4 naam4 bun6 tai2 hei3 siu3-ke4-ke4 Yip-syun night carry male partner watch movie laugh-mount-mount ”Yip-syun was very happy when she went to see a movie with a male friend.”



14 15 16 17



from Apple Daily (18/10/2004) from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004) from Apple Daily (28/9/2004) from Apple Daily (2/10/2004:C6)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



12



34.



siu3 siu3 hau2(笑笑口 笑笑口) 笑笑口 18, laughing



周 永



恆



燈



即



得 悉 阿 Yu 有 意 約 他 賞 花



zau1-wing5-hang4 dak1 sik1 Zau-wing-hang know



後



aa3 Yu jau5 ji3 joek3 taa1 soeng2 faa1 ah Yu have idea ask 3. SG appreciate flower



笑 笑 口 說:



約 咪 去



囉…



dang1 hau6 zik1 siu3 siu3 hau2 syut3: joek3 mai4 heoi3 lo1… lamp after immediately laugh-laugh-mouth say: ask PART go PART



“When Zau-Wing-Hang was told that Yu might ask him out to see lanterns, he smiled and said he would go if she asked.” 35.



tau4 dap1 dap1 (頭 頭耷耷) 耷耷 19, head down (in low spirit, not in mood)



單



腳 企 時 要 盡



量



抬 頭



別 頭 耷 耷



向 前 望



, daan1 goek3 kei5 si4 jiu3 zeon6-loeung4 toi4 tau4 hoeng3 cin4 mong6, bit6 tau4 dap1 dap1 single leg stand time need best lift head towards front look, NEG head-dap1-dap1 “When you stand on one leg, you should lift your head and look forward. Don”t look down.” 36.



tau4 ngok6 ngok6 (頭顎顎 頭顎顎) 頭另另) 頭 頭顎顎 / tau4 ling6 ling6 (頭另另 頭另另 / tau4 fing6 fing6 (頭 head up/ movement



佢



成



朝



都 頭 顎 顎



乜



都 無



),



做 過



, keoi5 seng4 ziu1 dou1 tau4 ngok6 ngok6, mat1 dou1 mou4 zou6 gwo3 3.SG whole morning dou1 head-up-up, what dou1 NEG do gwo3 “S/he was idling for the whole morning and did nothing.” 37.



tiu3 tiu3 zaat3 (跳跳紮 跳跳紮) 跳跳紮 20, jumping around



換



來 是一 位 跳 跳 紮 的六 歲 男



童



wun6-loi4 si6 jat1 wai2 tiu3 tiu3 zaat3 dik1 luk6 seoi3 naam4 tung4 exchange is one CL jump-jump-zaat3 dik1 six year male child “A six-year-old boy, who liked to jump everywhere, was employed instead.” 38.



tiu3 tiu3 zaat3 zaat3 (跳跳紮紮 跳跳紮紮) 紮紮跳), 跳跳紮紮 / zaat3 zaat3 tiu3 (紮紮跳 紮紮跳 the act of jumping around



嗰 個 小 朋 友



成



日 都



跳 跳 紮 紮



, go2 go3 siu2 pang4-jau5 seng4 jat6 dou1 tiu3 tiu3 zaat3 zaat3, That CL little friend whole day dou1 jump-jump-zaat3-zaat3, “That little kid is always jumping here and there. He”s very lively.” 39.



wi1 waa1 gwai2 giu3 ( 嘩鬼叫), 嘩鬼叫 Noisy / talking very loudly



班



嘩 鬼 叫



小 朋 友  度



嘈



到



好



活 潑



hou2 wut6-put3 INTENS lively



我 冇



覺



呀



aa1 PART



好







□ , baan1 siu2 pang4-jau5 hai6 dou3 wi1 waa1 gwai2 giu3, cou4 dou3 ngo5 mou5 gaau3 hou2 fan3 CL little friend is dou3 wi1-waa1-ghost-scream, noisy dou3 1.SG NEG sleep good to-sleep “Those kids are making so much noise. I can”t sleep at all.”



40.



zaa3 zaa3 dai3 (dai3), (詐詐諦諦 詐詐諦諦), 詐詐諦諦 to pretend / the act of pretending



唔



好 詐 詐 諦 諦



快



俾 返 隻 錶 我 呀！



, ng4 hou2 zaa3 zaa3 dai3 dai3, faai3 di1 bei2 faan1 zek3 biu1 ngo5 aa3 NEG good zaa3-zaa3-dai3-dai3, fast di1 give back CL watch 1.SG PART “Don”t pretend (that you”re not keeping my watch). Give me back my watch immediately!”



18 19 20



from Apple Daily (28/9/2004) from Apple Daily (18/10/2004:E4) from Apple Daily (12/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



13



41.



zeoi2 zel1 zel1 (咀 咀



唔 好 成



), Talkative (neg.)



日 咀



□ □，



俾  心 機做 功 課



啦



m4 hou2 seng4 jat6 zeoi2 zel1 zel1, bei2 di1 sam1-gei1 zou6 gung1-fo3 laa1 NEG good whole day mouth-zeu1-zeu1, give little effort do homework PART “Don”t talk too much. Pay more attention to doing your homework.” 42.



zi4 zi4 zam4 (吱吱 吱吱 尋)21, whispering / talking



兩



個 人



時 匿 埋 一 邊 吱 吱 尋



不



o leong5 go3 jan4 bat1-si4 lik1-maai4 jat1 bin1 zi4 zi4 zam4 two CL people always hide one CL zi4-zi4-zam4 “These two people always hide somewhere and whisper to each other.”



3. MANNERS 43.



baa1 zaa1 (巴渣 巴渣), 巴渣 talkative (neg.)



佢



係 一 個



巴渣 好



好



, keoi5 hai6 jat1 go3 hou2 baa1 zaa1, hou2 3.SG be one CL INTENS baa1-zaa1, INTENS “She is a very talkative and impolite girl”. 44.



無



禮



貌 嘅



bai1 bai1 dei2 (跛跛地 跛跛地), 跛跛地 crippled



隻



狗 被



倒 之 後 而 家 跛 跛 地



車 撞



女



mou4 lai5-maau6 ge3 NEG courtesy PART



仔



neoi5 zai2 girl little



唔 識 跑 囉



, , zek2 gau2 bei2 ce1 zong6 dou2 zi1-hau6, ji4-gaa1 bai1 bai1 dei2, m sik1 paau2 lo3 CL dog bei2 car collide down thereafter, now cripple-cripple-dei2, NEG know run PART “Ever since the dog was knocked down by a car, it has been crippled and has not been able to run.” 45.



faai3 faai3 ceoi3 ceoi3 (快快脆脆 快快脆脆), 快快脆脆 fast



嗰 份



功 課



好



趕



你 快 快 脆 脆 做







 佢



啦



, go2 fan6 gung1-fo3 hou2 gon2 gaa3, nei5 faai3 faai3 ceoi3 ceoi3 zou6 zo2 keoi5 laa1 that CL homework INTENS urgent PART, 2.SG fast-fast-ceoi3-ceoi3 do PERF 3.SG PART “That assignment is very urgent. You get it done fast.” 46.



gei1 gei1 zaa1 zaa1(嘰嘰喳喳 嘰嘰喳喳) 嘰嘰喳喳 22, talking quickly



牠 嘰 嘰喳 喳 地



說



taa1 gei1 gei1 zaa1 zaa1 dei6 syut3 3.SG gei1-gei1-zaa1-zaa1 dei6 talk “It talked quickly.”



47.



gui6 laai4 laai4 ( 癩癩), 癩癩 getting tired











打



完



籃



球



成



個 人 都  癩 癩



, ngaam1-ngaam1 daa2 jyun4 laam4-kau4, seng4 go3 jan4 dou1 gui6 laai4 laai4 sometimes-ago hit finish basketball, whole CL person dou1 tired-laai4-laai4 “I just finished playing basketball and I”m feeling very tired.”



21 22



from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004) from Apple Daily (11/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



14



48.



gwaai3 gai1 (怪雞 怪雞) 怪雞 23, strange



梁



嘉 傑演 得 很



怪



雞



loeng4-gaa1-git6 jin5 dak1 han2 gwaai3-gai1 Loeng-gaa-git act dak1 INTENS strange-chicken “Loeng-gaa-git acted very strangely.” 49.



gwaai1 gwaai1 dei2 (乖乖地 乖乖地), 乖乖地 well-behaved-like



乖



你 要



乖



地 做 晒



 功 課呀



nei5 jiu3 gwaai1 gwaai1 dei2 zou6 saai3 di1 gung1-fo3 aa1 2.SG ought well-behaved-well-behaved-dei2 do finish all homework “You should be good and finish all of your homework.” 50.



gwaai3 gwaai2 dei2 (怪怪地 怪怪地), 怪怪地 strange



佢



把



聲



好



似



怪



怪



地 咁 ？ 佢 傷



keoi5 baa2 seng1 hou2 ci5 gwaai3 gwaai2 dei2 3.SG CL voice INTENS seem strange-strange-dei2 “His/her voice sounds strange. Is s/he having a cold?” 51.



gwai2 gwai2 syu2 syu2 (鬼鬼鼠鼠 鬼鬼鼠鼠), 鬼鬼鼠鼠 behaving with hidden motives



佢



做 乜 鬼



鬼 鼠 鼠 咁



風 呀？



gam3 ge2 keoi5 soeng1-fung1 aa4? -like PART 3.SG cold PART



會 唔 會係 賊



 ？



, keoi5 zou6 mat1 gwai2 gwai2 syu2 syu2 gam2 wui5 m4 wui5 hai6 caak2 lei4 gaa3 3.SG why ghost ghost syu2 syu2 gam2 , will NEG will be thief PART PART “He/she looks furtive. Could s/he be a thief?”



52.



hyut3 lam4 lam4(血淋淋 血淋淋) 血淋淋 24, bloody



美 國



在 越



一 個



活 生 生 血 淋 淋 的 例 子



mei5-gwok3 zoi6 America in



南 的



有



限 度 戰 爭 就 是



“ ” jyut6-naam4 dik1 “jau5 haan6-dou6 zin3 zang1 zau6 si6 Vietnam POSS “have limit war fight just be



. jat1 go3 wut6 sang1 sang1. hyut3 lam4 lam4 dik1 lai6-zi2 one CL live birth birth. blood-soak-soak dik1 example “The war between America and Vietnam is one of the vivid and bloody examples.” 53.



ji4 ji1 ngo4 ngo4 ( 依 依哦哦 依哦哦)25, murmuring into somebody”s ears



學



友 大



爆 老 婆 羅 美 薇 有 潔 癖, 鍾 意



hok2-jaau5 daai6-baau3 lou5 po4 lo4 mei5 mei4 jau5 git3 pik1, zung1 ji3 Hok-jaau expose wife Lo-mei-mei have cleanliness, like



依 依哦 哦



ji4 ji1 ngo4 ngo4 ji4-ji1-ngo4-ngo4



同



埋 黑 面



tung4-maai4 hak1 min6 and angry



“Hok-jaau told others that his wife, Lo-mei-mei, had phobia on dirt. At the same time, she liked to murmur into his ears and be angry with him.”



23 24 25



Example from Ming Pao (28/9/2004) from Ming Pao (28/9/2004) from Apple Daily (3/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



15



54.



kau4 kau4 kei4 kei4 (求求其其 求求其其), 求求其其 being sketchy, careless



求 求 其 其 咁 就 做 完 所 有 功 課 喇



佢



keoi5 kau4 kau4 kei4 kei4 gam3 zau6 zou6 jyun4 so2-jau5 gung1-fo3 laa1 3.SG kau4-kau4-kei4-kei4 gam3 zau6 do finish all homework PART “S/he has finished all the homework carelessly.” 55.



ke4 le4 (騎呢 騎呢) 騎呢 26, behaving awkwardly



原



來他 影



相



時



最 鍾 意 整 蠱 做 怪 認



真 騎 呢



, jyun4-loi4 taa1 jing2 soeng3 si4 zeoi3 zung1-ji3 zing2-gu2-zou6-gwaai3, jing6-zan1 actually 3.SG take photos when most like do-funny-things , very “Actually, he always likes to do funny things when he takes photos. This is really strange.” 56.



laa2 laa2 dei2 ( 地), girly-like (to describe male)



佢







個 人







地 咁



好



, keoi5 go3 jan4 laa2 laa2 dei2 gam3, hou2 3.SG CL person feminine-feminine-dei2 gam3, INTENS “He behaves girly-like. That”s so horrible.” 57.



怖



hung2-bou3 horrible



lap6 lap6 lo6 lo6 ( 邏邏), 邏邏 doing things slowly / being inefficient



佢



邏 邏



做 事



完



全 無



, keoi5 zou6 si6 lap6 lap6 lo6 lo6, jyun4-cyun4 3.SG do work lap6 lap6 lo6 lo6, completely “S/he does things slowly and absolutely inefficient.” 58.



恐



ke4 le4 ride-le4



效 率 



mou4 haau6-leot6 gaa3 NEG efficiency PART



leon6 leon6 zeon6 zeon6 (論論盡盡 論論盡盡), 論論盡盡 clumsy



佢



個



人



論 論 盡 盡 咁, 唔



靠 得 住 



keoi5 go3 jan4 leon6 leon6 zeon6 zeon6 gam3, m4 kaau3-dak1-zyu6 gaa3 3.SG CL person leon6 leon6 zeon6 zeon6 gam3, NEG reliable PART “S/he is a clumsy person. Nobody trusts him/her.” 59.



lou4 lou4 dou1 dou1 (嘮嘮叨叨 嘮嘮叨叨) 嘮嘮叨叨 27, murmuring all the time



忌 嘮 嘮 叨 叨 含 含 糊



切



糊



, cit3 gei6 lou4 lou4 dou1 dou1, ham4 ham4 wu4 wu4 Remember not lou4-lou4-dou1-dou1, talk-vaguely “Remember not to murmur and talk vaguely all the time.” 60.



lung4 lung2/4 dei2 (聾聾地 聾聾地), 聾聾地 a bit deaf



你



講



大



聲 



佢



聾 聾 地 



, nei5 gong2 daai6 seng1, keoi5 lung4 lung2 dei2 gaa3 2.SG speak big sound little, 3.SG deaf-deaf-dei2 PART “You have to speak louder. S/he is a bit deaf.” 61.



maa4 maa2 dei2 (麻麻 麻麻地 麻麻地), not bad, not so good, so so, okay…etc.



我 覺 得 呢 個 蛋 糕 麻 麻 地 好 食 唧， 上



次 個好 好 多



ngo5 gok3 dak1 ni1 go3 daan6 gou1 maa4 maa2 dei2 hou2 sik6 zek1 soeng6 ci3 go2 go3 hou2 hou2 do1 1.SG feel dak1 this CL egg cake maa4 maa2 dei2 good eat PART up time that CL good good many “This cake doesn”t taste good. The one I ate last time was far better.”



26 27



from Apple Daily (30/9/2004) from Apple Daily (1/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



16



62.



maan6 tan1 tan1 (慢吞吞 慢吞吞), 慢吞吞 slow



做 事 慢



佢



吞



吞



完



全



無



效



率



, keoi5 zou6 si6 maan6 tan1 tan1, jyun4-cyun4 mou4 haau6-leot6 3.SG do work slow -tan1-tan1, completely not-have efficiency “S/he does things slowly; s/he is completely inefficient.”



63.



mi1 mi1 mo1 mo1 (咪咪摸摸 咪咪摸摸), 咪咪摸摸 slow



佢



做 事 咪 咪 摸 摸 完



全 無



效 率



mou4 dyun1 dyun1 (無端端 無端端) 無端端 28, without any reason



街



, keoi5 zou6 si6 mi1 mi1 mo1 mo1, jyun4-cyun4 mou4 haau6-leot6 3.SG do work mi1-mi1-mo1-mo1, completely not-have efficiency “S/he does things slowly; s/he is completely inefficient.” 64.



我 自 己 無 端 端 同 個 男 仔 朋 友 出







gaa3 PART







gaa3 PART



ngo5 zi6-gei2 mou4 dyun1 dyun1 tung4 go3 naam4 zai2 pang4-jau5 ceot1 gaai1 1. SG myself no-dyun1-dyun1 with CL boy little friend out street “I went out with a male friend with no reason.” 65.



mou4 lei4 tau4(無里頭 無里頭) 無里頭 29, illogical



變



得 神 經



錯 亂



無 里 頭



zou2 ji5 bin3 early ASP change



早



已



, dak1 sin4-ging1 cok3 lyun6 mou4 lei4 tau4, dak1 nervous wrong mess no-lei4-head,



并



因 外



流 內 流



而 散 失 功



力



bing6 jan1 ngoi6 lau4 noi6 lau4 ji4 saan3 sat1 gung1-lik6 also cause outside flow inside flow so-that scatter lose power “(They) could only think illogically and lose their powers.”



無 里 頭 錯 摸 的 劇 情, 其 實 涉 及 江 湖. mou4 lei4 tau4 no-lei4-head



洪



門.



co3-mo2-dik1 kek6-cing4, kei4-sat6 sip3-kap6 gong1-wu4. unpredictable scene, actually involve gangster-society.



祖 廟. 孫



中



山 和



興



中 會



hung4-mun4. zou2 miu6 . syun1-zung1-saan1 wo4 hing3-zung1-wui3 Hung4-mun2. ancestral-temple. Dr. Sun and Hing-zung-wui



“The drama had unpredictable themes, which were related to the gangster-society, Hung-mun, ancestral temple, Dr. Sun, and Hing-zung-wui.” 66.



mou4 mou4 liu4 liu4 (無無聊聊 無無聊聊), 無無聊聊 being idle



佢



成



日 都 無 無 聊 聊 咁 浪 費



我



地



時 間



, 嘅 keoi5 seng4 jat6 dou1 mou4 mou4 liu4 liu4 gam3, long4-fai3 ngo5-dei6 gei3 si4-gaan3 3.SG all day dou1 no-no-liu4 liu4 gam3, waste 1.PL POSS time “S/he has always been idle and wasted our time.”



28 29



from Apple Daily (27/9/2004:C12) from Ming Pao (28/9/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



17



67.



muk6 muk6 duk6 duk6 (木木獨獨 木木獨獨), 木木獨獨 to describe sby being dull/boring



木 木 獨獨



嗰 個 男仔



咁



難



怪



冇



人



鍾 意 佢 啦



書



囉



, go2 go3 naam4 jat6 muk6 muk6 duk6 duk6 gam3, naan4 gwaai3 mou5 jan4 zung1-ji3 keoi5 laa1 that CL male little wood-wood-duk6-duk6 gam3, difficult blame no person like 3.SG PART “That guy is a boring person. No wonder nobody is interested in him.” 68.



mun6 mun2/6 dei2 (悶悶地 悶悶地), 悶悶地 feeling a bit bored



通



常 我



悶 悶 地 嘅



tung1-soeng4, ngo5 mun6 mun2 dei2 ge3 usually, 1.SG bored-bored-dei2 PART “I usually read books when I feel bored.” 69.



syu1 lo1 book PART



mung2 bai3 bai3 (懞閉閉 懞閉閉) 懞盛盛), 懞閉閉 / mung2 sing6 sing6 (懞盛盛 懞盛盛 being silly / absent-minded



仔 蒙 閉 閉 咁



個 男



, go3 naam4 zai2 mung2 bai3 bai3 gam2, CL boy little mung2-bai3-bai3 gam2, “The boy is absent-minded and gullible.” 70.



時 候 就 會 睇



si4-hau6 zau6 wui5 tai2 time zau6 will read



好



hou2 INTENS



易 俾 人



厄 



ji6 bei2 jan4 ak1 gaa3 easy bei2 person cheat PART



ngaang6 baang1 baang1 (硬繃繃 硬繃繃), 硬繃繃 being stubborn



佢



份 人



做 



硬



繃 繃 成 日 都 唔 聽 人 講 



keoi5 fan6 jan4 zou6 je5 ngaang6 baang1 baang1 seng4 jat6 dou1 m4 teng1 jan4 gong2 ge2 3.SG CL person do thing hard-baang1-baang1 whole day dou1 NEG listen person say PART “S/he is very stubborn and never listens to people.” 71.



pe1 pe1 fu1(啤啤夫 啤啤夫) 啤啤夫 30, swaying



近 排 嘅 新 聞 女 王 李 麗 珍 亦有 出



席,



gan2-paai4 ge3 san1-man4 neoi5 wong4 lei5-lai6-zan1 jik6 jau5 coet1-zik6, recently ge3 news female king Lei-lai-zan also have show-up,



重



飲 到 啤 啤 夫先 走



zung6 jam2 dou3 pe1 pe1 fu1 sin1 zau2 even drink dou3 pe1-pe1-fu1 then leave “The recent queen of gossip, Lei-lai-zan, also showed up. She was drunk when she left.” 72.



saa4 saa4 gwan2 (灑灑滾 灑灑滾), 灑灑滾 somebody not being stable



佢



個 人



灑 灑 滾



咁, 唔



好



信



佢



呀



得



過 



keoi5 go3 jan4 saa4 saa4 gwan2 gam2, m4 hou2 seon3 keoi5 aa1 3.SG CL person saa4 saa4 gwan2 gam2, NEG good believe 3.SG PART “S/he is not reliable. Don”t trust him/her.”



73.



saap6 haa5 saap6 haa5 (霎下霎下 霎下霎下), 霎下霎下 silly / absent-minded



佢



個



人 霎 下 霎 下 咁



唔



信



全



唔 識



, keoi5 go3 jan4 saap6 haa5 saap6 haa5 gam3, m4 seon3 dak1 gwo1 gaa3 3.SG CL person saap6 haa5 saap6 haa5 gam3, NEG believe dak1 gwo1 PART “S/he is very absent-minded. S/he is not trustworthy.” 74.



sei2 gu4 gu4 (死咕咕 死咕咕), 死咕咕 dull, inflexible



佢



做



事 死 咕 咕咁



完



, keoi5 zou6 si6 sei2 gu4 gu4 gam3, jyun4-cyun4 m4 3.SG do job die-gu4-gu4 gam3, completely NEG “S/he does things rigidly. There is no flexibility in him/her.”



30



變



sik1 bin3 know change



通







tung1 gaa3 pass PART



from Apple Daily (8/10/2004:C8)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



18



75.



sei2 sei2 haa5/2 (死死下 死死下), 死死下 Exhausted











打 完



籃 球 成



個 人



都 



到



死 死 下 咁



, ngaam4-ngaam4 daa1 jyun4 laam4-kau4, seng4 go3 jan4 dou1 gui2 dou3 sei2 sei2 haa5 gam2 just hit finish basketball, whole CL person dou1 tired dou3 die-die-haa5 gam2 “I just finished playing basketball. I”m completely exhausted.” 76.



so4 so2 dei2 (傻傻地 傻傻地), 傻傻地 silly-like



佢



帝， 所 以 個 個 都 話 佢 傻 傻 地 囉！



成 日 話 自己 係 皇



keoi5 seng4 jat6 waa6 zi6-gei2 hai6 wong4-dai3, so2-ji5 go3-go3 dou1 waa6 keoi5 so4-so2-dei2 lo1 3.SG whole day say self be king so everyone dou1 say 3.SG silly-silly-like PART “S/he always claims that s/he is the king, so people think that he is a bit crazy.” 77.



zi1 zi1 m4 m4(支支吾吾 支支吾吾) 支支吾吾 31, talking unclearly, ambiguously



他 們 採 取 支 支 吾 吾,



模



zing6 gai1 gai1 (靜雞雞 靜雞雞), 靜雞雞 quietly



 屋企



稜



兩 可 的 態 度



taa1-mun4 coi2-ceoi2 zi1 zi1 m4 m4, mou4-ling4-loeng5-ho2 dik1 taai3-dou6 3. PL use zi1-zi1-m4-m4, vague dik1 attitude “They chose to talk in an unclear and vague manner.” 78.



佢



個 仔



趁



佢



唔



靜 雞 雞 偷



佢







錢



屋企 要



小心







呀



有 咁 多 錢



呀



keoi5 go3 zai2 can3 keoi5 m4 hai2 uk1-kei2 zing6 gai1 gai1 tau- zo2 keoi5 di1 cin2 3.SG POSS son while 3.SG NEG at home quiet-gai1-gai1 steal-PERF 3.SG POSS money “His/her son stole his/her money when s/he is not at home.” 79.



zing6 jing1 jing1 (靜英英 靜英英), 靜英英 quiet



靜 英 英



條 街



你



一 個 人



返



, tiu4 gaai1 zing6 jing1 jing1, nei5 jat1 go3 jan4 faan1 uk1-kei2 jiu3 siu2-sam1 di1 aa3 CL street quiet-jing1-jing1 3.SG one CL person back home must careful little PART “The street is so quiet. Please be careful when you go home by yourself.”



5. STATES 5.1 QUANTITY 80.



daai6 laa4 laa4 (大 大), a little bit



嘩!



大  成 萬



蚊



我 邊



? waa3! daai6 laa4 laa4 seng4 maan6 man1... ngo5 bin1 jau5 gam3 do1 cin2 aa3? INTJ big-laa4-laa4 whole ten-thousand dollar 1.SG where have so many money PART “Wow! Where do I get so much money? It”s ten thousand dollars!”



81.



dit1 (gam3) do1 (跌咁多 跌咁多), 跌咁多 a little bit



我



好



窮 



我 啲 錢



得 返  咁 多 咋



! ngo5 hou2 kung4 gaa3 ngo5 di1 cin2 dak1 faan1 dit1 gam3 do1 1.SG INTENS poor PART! 1.SG dil money dak1 back dit1 (gam3) do1 “I am very poor! I have only a little bit amount of money left.”



31



zaa3 PART



from Apple Daily (15/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



19



5.2 PHYSICAL APPEARANCE 82.



baak6 syut1 syut1 (白雪雪 白雪雪), 白雪雪 white



個 女



白 雪 雪,



仔 塊 面



好



go3 neoi5 zai2 faai3 min6 baak6 syut1 syut1 hou2 CL girl little CL face white-snow-snow, INTENS “The skin of her face is very fair. She looks beautiful.” 83.



□□), flat 扁 □ □ ,乜



bin2 tet4 tet4 (扁 扁



個 書 包



都



無



靚



呀



leng3 aa3 pretty PART



呀



go3 syu1 baau1 bin2 tet4 tet4 mat1 dou1 mou5 aa3 CL book bag flat-tet4-tet4, thing dou1 not-have PART “The school bag is flat (empty). There is nothing inside.” 84.



bok6 cit1 cit (薄 薄切切), 切切 very thin (non-human)



件 衫 薄 切 切 唔



暖 嘅



... gin6 saam1 bok6 cit1 cit1 m4 nyun5 ge2 CL clothes thin-cit1-cit1, NEG warm PART “This (any kind of clothing for the upper-half of the body) is too thin. It can”t keep us warm.” 85.



caau4 mang3 mang3 (皺 ), wrinkled, creased (neg.)



件 衫



皺



 好



肉



酸



gin6 saam1 caau4 mang3 mang3 hou2 juk6 -syun1 CL clothes wrinkle-mang3-mang3, INTENS ugly “The shirt has creases on it. It doesn”t look good.” 86.



cai4 cap1 cap1 (齊 齊葺葺), 葺葺 neat, trimmed











剪 完 草,



個 草 地



呀



aa PART



齊 葺 葺 咁,



好



靚



呀



aam1-aam1 zin2 jyun4 cou2 go3 cou2 dei6 cai4 cap1 cap1 gam2 hou2 leng3 aa3 just cut finish grass, CL grass ground neat-cap1-cap1 gam2 , INTENS beautiful PART “I have just mowed the lawn. It looks neat and nice now.” 87.



ceng1 bi1 bi1 (青 青咇咇), 咇咇 green



咦！ 對



鞋



青 咇咇 咁， 好



肉



ji2 deoi3 haai4 ceng1 bi1 bi1 gam2…hou2 juk6 INTJ pair shoe green-bi1-bi1 gam2…INTENS meat “Oh! No! This pair of shoes is so greenish. I don”t like it.”



88.



coeng4 laai4 laai4 (長癩癩 長癩癩), 長癩癩 long



件



外



套



長 癩 癩



完 全



唔



酸



呀！



syun1 aa3 sour PART



 身



, gin6 ngoi6 tou3 coeng4 laai4 laai4 jyun4-cyun4 m4 aam1 san1 CL outer cover long-laai4-laai4, completely NEG fit body “The jacket is too long. It doesn”t fit at all.”



89.



coeng4 coeng2/4 dei2 (長長地 長長地), 長長地 a bit long



你



仲



記唔記



得 長 長



地 頭 髮 個 女



同 事 呀



? nei5 zung6 gei3 m4 gei3 dak1 coeng4-coeng4-dei2 tau4 faat3 go2 go3 neoi5 tung4-si6 aa3? 2.SG still remember-NEG-remember dak1 long-long-ish head hair that CL female colleague PART “Do you still remeber the female colleauge who has long hair?”



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



20



90.



(laang3 dou3) dam2 jat1 seng1 ((靚到 靚到) 靚到 抌一聲), 一聲 very beautiful



個 女



靚 到 抌 一 聲 人



仔



人



, go3 neoi5 zai2 leng3 dou3 dam2 jat1 seng1 , jan4 jan4 CL girl little beauty-dou3-dam2-one-sound, person person “The girl is very beautiful. Many people want to chase after her.” 91.



都



想



追



dou1 soeng2 zeoi1 also want chase



佢



keoi5 3.SG



daai6 tou5 lam4 dam1 (大肚 大肚 大肚沊), being pregnant (esp. at a late stage of the pregnancy)



個



女



人



大 肚 沊 仲 四 圍 走 好 危 險 呀



, , go3 neoi5 jan2 daai6 tou5 lam4 dam1 zung6 sei3 wai4 zau2 hou2 ngai4 him2 aa3 CL woman person big-tummy-lam4-dam1, still all-around walk, very dangerous PART “The woman is at her late pregnancy, and yet she is still going around. This is very dangerous.” 92.



faa1 li1 (faa1) luk1 (花呢花碌 花呢花碌), 花呢花碌 colorful



啲 衫



太



花 列花 碌



啦



唔 襯



你



喎



, gin6 saam1 taai3 faa1 li1 faa1 luk1 laa3 m4 can3 nei5 wo3 CL clothes INTENS flower-li1-flower-luk1 PART, NEG match 2.SG PART “The clothes are too colorful. They don”t suit your style.” 93.



fei4 tan4 tan4 (肥 肥揗揗) , (very) fat / fattish



個 人



肥 揗 揗 都 仲 食 咁 多



 ？！



go2 go3 jan2 fei4 tan4 tan4 dou1 zung6 sik6 gam3 do1 je5 ge2 that CL person fat-tan4-tan4 dou1 still eat that many thing PART “That person is already so fat. How come s/he still eats so much?” 94.



fei4 dyut1 dyut1 (肥 肥), somewhat fat / fattish



個 小 朋 友 肥 



好 得 意 呀



, go3 siu2 pang4 jau4 fei4 dyut1 dyut1 hou2 dak1 ji3 aa3 CL little friend fat-dyut1-dyut1, INTENS cute PART “The little kid is somewhat fat. S/he looks very cute.” 95.



gwat6 leoi4 ceoi4 (倔雷槌 倔雷槌), 倔雷槌 blunt



 刀 倔 雷 槌



把



咁



 唔 到



 



baa2 gaai3-dou1 gwat6 leoi4 ceoi4 gam2 gaai3 m4 dou2 je5 wo3 CL cutter blunt-leoi4-leoi4, gam2 cut NEG dou3 thing PART “The cutter is blunt. I can”t cut anything with it.” 96.



gwong1 tyut1 tyut1 (光脫脫 光脫脫), 光脫脫 bald



佢



咁 後 生 就 甩曬



頭 髮， 搞 到 個 頭 依 家 光 脫 脫 咁



keoi5 gam3 hau6-sang1 zau6 lat1 saai3 di1 tau4 faat3, gaau2 dou3 go3 tau4 ji1-gaa1 gwong1 tyutt tyut1 gam2 3.SG so young zau6 lose all CL head hair, make dou3 CL head now bright/empty-tyut1-tyut1 gam2 “He has lost his hair and become bald at this young age.” 97.



hak1 maa1 maa1 (黑媽媽 黑媽媽), 黑媽媽 black / dark



間 房



黑 媽 媽 咁， 你 點 做 到



Gaan1 fong2 hak1 maa1 maa1 gam2, nei5 dim2 zou6 dou2 CL room black-maa1-maa1 gam2, 2.SG how do dou2 “The room is so dark. How can you work here?”



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



 ？！ je5 gaa3 thing PART



21



98.



hong4 dong1 dong3 (紅噹噹 紅噹噹), 紅噹噹 red



件 外 套 紅 噹 噹



好



搶 眼



呀



, gin6 ngoi6 tou3 hung4 dong1 dong3 hou2 coeng2 ngaan5 aa3 CL outer cover red-dong1-dong3, INTENS rob eye PART “The jacket is red, which is very eye-catching.” 99.



hung4 tung4 tung4 (紅彤彤 紅彤彤) 紅彤彤 32, red



紅 彤 彤 的 座 室 墊



其 餘 全 都 露 出



kei4-jyu4 cyun4 dou1 lou6 coet1 hung4 tung4 tung4 dik1 zo6 sat1 zin3 other all same expose out red-red-red dik1 seat room pat “Other (rooms) had red sitting mats.”



100.



hung1 lel1 lel1 (空寥寥 空寥寥) 空框框), 空寥寥 / hung1 kwaang1 kwaang1 (空框框 空框框 spacious / empty



而 家間 屋 空 寥 寥 好



耐



冇



人 住







喇



ji1-gaa1 gaan1 uk1 hung1-lel1-lel1 hou2 loi6 mou5 jan4 zyu6 gaa3 laa3 now CL house empty-lel1-lel1 INTENS long-time not-have person live PART PART “The house is empty and nobody lives there now.” 101.



jung4 jung4 laan6 laan6 (熔熔爛爛 熔熔爛爛) 黴黴爛爛), 熔熔爛爛 / mui4 mui4 laan6 laan6 (黴黴爛爛 黴黴爛爛 worn out, rotten



條 褲



熔 熔 爛 爛



已 經



啦 要



買 過 條 新







喇



, tiu4 fu3 ji5-ging1 jung4 jung4 laan6 laan6 laa1, jiu3 maai5 gwo3 tiu4 san1 gaa3 laa3 CL trousers already jung4-jung4-worn-out-worn-out PART, need buy gwo1 CL new PART PART “The trousers are already worn-out. I have to buy a new pair.” 102.



jyun4 dam4 (doeh4)(圓沊 圓沊( 圓碌碌), 圓沊 )) / jyun4 luk1 luk1 (圓碌碌 圓碌碌 round



佢



塊



面



圓



沊



成 個 波 咁



keoi5 faai3 min6 jyun4 dam4 deoh4 seng4 go3 bo1 gam2 3.SG CL face round-dam4-doeh4 whole CL ball gam2 “His/Her face is as round as a ball.” 103.



jyun5 lam4 lam4 (軟淰淰 軟淰淰), 軟淰淰 soft-ish



個 公 仔 軟 淰 淰 好



似 棉 花 糖



咁



go3 gung1-zai2 jyun5-lam4-lam4 hou2 ci5 min4-faa- tong2 gam2 CL soft-toy soft-lam4-lam4 INTENS like mashmallow gam2 “This toy is as soft as mashmallow.” 104.



laan6 jung4 jung4 (爛熔熔 爛熔熔), 爛熔熔 Worn out, rotten



嘩！ 間 屋



爛 熔 熔， 點 住 呀？！！



waa3! gaan1 uk1 laan6 jung4 jung4 dim2 zyu6 aa3 INTJ. CL house worn-out-jung4-jung4 how live PART “Oh! The house is so old and worn-out. How can one live there?”



105.



laap3 laap3 ling3 (蠟蠟拎 蠟蠟拎) 拎蠟蠟), 蠟蠟拎 / ling3 laap3 laap3 (拎蠟蠟 拎蠟蠟 shiny



個



地 板 蠟 蠟 拎



好



靚



呀



, go3 dei6 baan2 laap3 laap3 ling3 hou2 leng3 aa3 CL floor laap3 laap3 ling3, INTENS beautiful PART “The floor is so shiny. It looks great.”



32



from Ming Pao (28/9/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



22



106.



le5 le5 fe5 fe5 (哩哩啡啡 哩哩啡啡), 哩哩啡啡 messy, untidy



佢 個 人 咁 哩 哩 啡啡 難



怪 冇



□□), old 已 經 老 □ □ 啦,



仲 扮



人 請



佢 做



 啦



keoi5 go3 jan4 gam3 le5 le5 fe5 fe5 naan4 gwaai3 mou5 jan4 ceng2 keoi5 zou6 je5 laa1 3.SG CL person so le5-le5-fe5-fe5, difficult blame no person invite 3.SG do thing PART “He/she is so messy and untidy. No wonder nobody wants to employ him.” 107.



lou5 nget4 nget4 (老 老



佢



後 生



keoi5 ji5-ging1 lou5 nget4 nget4 laa3, zung6 baan6 hau6-saang1 3.SG already old-nget4-nget4 PART, still pretend young “S/he is already very old. But she still dresses like a young man/woman.” 108.



lyun6 zou1 zou1 (亂糟糟 亂糟糟), 亂糟糟 messy



佢



間 房 亂 糟 糟 咁



叫 佢 



下  啦



, keoi5 gaan1 fong2 lyun6 zou1 zou1 gam2 giu3 keoi5 zap1 haa5 je5 laa1 3.SG CL room, mess-untidy-untidy gam2, ask 3.SG tidy-up haa5 thing PART “His/her room is messy and untidy. Ask her to tidy things up.” 109.



min6 ceng1 ceng1 (面青青 面青青), 面青青 pale



佢



面 青 青 咁



一 定 係 唔



, keoi5 min6 ceng1 ceng1 gam2 jat1- ding6 3.SG face-green green gam3, must “S/he looks so pale. S/he must be sick.” 110.



舒 服 啦



hai6 m4 syu1-fuk6 laa3 be NEG well PART



mat6 zat1 zat1 (密質質 密質質)/ 密麻麻), 密質質 mat6 maa4 maa4 (密麻麻 密麻麻 dense







已 經 擺 到 密 質 質 啦,



放 唔



落 張



枱 喇



di1 je5 ji5-ging1 baai1 dou3 mat6 zat1 zat1 gaa3 laa1 fong3 m4 lok6 zoeng1 toi2 laa3 CL thing already place dou3 dense-zat1-zat1 PART PART, put NEG down CL table PART “There are already too many things in this place and there is no room for this table.” 111.



mung4 caa4 caa4 (蒙查查 蒙查查), 蒙查查 blurred



個 窗



蒙 查 查 喇



, go3 coeng1 mung4 caa4 caa4 laa3, CL window blurred-caa4-caa4 PART, “The window is not clear. Wipe it.” 112.



快 啲 抹 一 抹 啦



faai3 di1 maat3 jat1 maat3 laa1 fast di1 wipe one wipe PART



mou4 sang4 sang4 (毛狌狌 毛狌狌), 毛狌狌 hairy, furry



咦 我 最 怕 見 到  毛 狌 狌  







喇



, ji2.. ngo5 zeoi3 paa3 gin3 dou2 di1 mou4 sang4 sang4 ge3 je5 gaa3 laa3 INTJ. 1.SG most afraid see dou2 CL hair-sang4-sang4 PART thing PART PART “Oh! I don”t like seeing hairy things.” 113.



ngaan5 daai6 daai6 (眼大大 眼大大), 眼大大 with big eyes



個 男



仔



眼 大 大 咁



好



得 意 呀



, go3 naam4 zai2 ngaan5 daai6 daai6 gam2 hou2 dak1-ji3 aa3 CL male little eye-big-big gam2, INTENS cute PART “The boy has a pair of big eyes. He is so cute.” 114.



ngai2 dat1 dat1 (矮葖葖 矮葖葖), 矮葖葖 very short



？  喇？



 矮 葖 葖 



男



人



就 係 齣 新 戲 



主 角



Haa1? go1 go3 ngai2 dat1 dat1 ge3 naam4 jan2 zau6 hai6 ceot1 san1 hei3 ge3 zyu2 gok3 laa4? INTJ. that CL short-dat1-dat1 PART male person zau6 be CL new movie POSS major role PART “What? That short guy is the leading actor of that new move?”



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



23



115.



ngai2 ngai2 dei2 (矮矮地 矮矮地), 矮矮地 a bit short



呢，矮 矮 地  個 咪 係 我



細 佬 囉



saan2 sau1 sau1 (散修修 散修修), 散修修 loose



 返



le2…ngai2 ngai2 dei2 go2 go3 mai4 hai6 ngo5 sai3-lou2 lo1 INTJ. short-short-dei2 that CL PART be 1.SG brother PART “See that short guy there? That”s my brother.” 116.



啲 紙



散 修 修 咁



快



啲



好 佢



啦



, di1 zi2 saan2 sau1 sau1 gam2 faai3 di1 zap1 faan1 hou2 keoi5 laa1 CL papers loose-sau1-sau1 gam3, fast little tidy back good 3.PL PART “The papers are all over the place. Tidy them up.” 117.



sau3 maang2 maang2 (瘦蜢蜢 瘦蜢蜢), 瘦蜢蜢 skinny



個 小 朋 友 瘦 蜢



蜢 咁 梗 係 平 時 食好 少  



, go3 siu2 pang4 jau5 sau3 maang2 maang2 gam2, gang2 hai6 ping4 si4 sik6 hou2 siu2 je5 gaa3 laak3 CL little friend thin-maang2 maang2 gam3, definite be flat time eat INTENS little thing PART PART “The little kid is skinny. I bet s/he doesn”t eat much.” 118.



sung1 pel4 pel4 (鬆 鬆



), loose



你 條 牛 仔 褲 鬆 □ □... 好 心 你 唔



好 著 啦



! nei5 tiu4 ngau6-zai2- fu3 sung-pel4-pel4...hou2 sam1 nei5 m4 hou2 zoek3 laa1 2.SG CL jeans loose-pel4-pel4 ....good heart 2.SG NEG good wear PART “Your jeans are so loose. Please don”t wear them!” 119.



wong4 gam4 gam4 (黃淦淦 黃淦淦), 黃淦淦 yellow



紙 黃



張



淦



淦



梗 係 好



舊







喇



zoeng1 zi2 wong4 gam4 gam4 , gang2 hai6 hou2 gau6 gaa3 laa3 CL. paper yellow-gam4-gam4. definite be INTENS old PART. PART. “This piece of paper has turned yellowish. It must be very old/ It must have been here for a long time.” 120.



wu1 lei1/li1 daan1 dou1(汙唎單叨 汙唎單叨), 汙唎單叨 messy, dirty



佢



成 日 都 唔 



，搞



到 間 房 汙 唎 單 叨



keoi5 seng4 jat6 dou1 m4 zap1 je5 , gaau2 dou3 gaan1 fong2 wu1 li1 daan1 dou1 3.SG whole day dou1 NEG tidy-up things make dou3 CL room wu1-li1-daan1-dou1 “S/he never tidy things up. His/her room is very messy and dirty.” 121.



wu1 lei/li1 maa5 caa5 (汙唎馬喳 汙唎馬喳), 汙唎馬喳 messy, dirty



佢 個 仔 好



百



厭 ， 成



日 畫



到 張



汙 唎 馬 喳



keoi5 go3 zai2 hou2 baak3-jim3 gaa3, seng4 jat6 waak6 dou3 zoeng1 toi2 wu1 li1 maa5 caa5 3.SG POSS son INTENS naughty PART whole day draw dou3 CL table wu1-li1-maa5-caa5 “His/her son is very naughty. S/he always draws on the table and makes it dirty.” 122.



wu1 zeot1 zeot1(烏卒卒 烏卒卒) 烏卒卒 33, dark



赤 腳



拍 攝 的 她 更 因 站



而 弄



致 腳 底 烏 卒 卒



在 石 頭 取 景



cek3 goek3 paak3 sip3 dik1 taa1 gang3 jan1 zaam6- zoi6 sek5-tau4 ceoi2 ging2 bare feet take action dik1 3.SG even because stand stone find scene



ji4 so



lung6- zi3 goek3-dai2 wu1 zeot1 zeot1 make sole dark-zeot1-zeot1



“Her soles became dark because she stood with bare feet on the stone when the photos were taken.”



33



from Apple Daily (30/9/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



24



123.



zoeng4 buk1 buk1 (脹卜蔔 脹卜蔔), 脹卜蔔 bulky, puffy



嘩！ 頭 先 食 飯 食 到 好 飽



呀，



個肚



依 家 仲 脹 卜 蔔 咁



waa3 tau4-sin1 sik6 faan6 sik6 dou3 hou2 baau2 aa3, go3 tou5 ji1-gaa1 zung6 zoeng3 buk1 buk1 gam2 INTJ. before eat rice eat dou3 INTENS full PART, CL tummy now still bulky-buk1-buk1 gam2 “Wow! I ate a big meal just now and my tummy is still very full.” 124.



zik6 bat1 lat1 (直筆甩 直筆甩), 直筆甩 very straight



佢



個



工



成 日 幫 佢 燙 到  衫 直 筆 甩 



人



keoi5 go3 gung1 jan4 seng4 jat6 bong2 keoi5 tong3 dou3 di1 saam1 zik6 bat1 lat1 gaa3 3.SG POSS work person whole day help 3.SG iron dou3 CL clothes straight-bat1-lat1 PART “His/her domestic helper always irons his clothes and makes them very flat and straight.” 125.



hak1 maa1 maa1 (黑媽媽 黑媽媽) 黑媽媽 34, black / dark



黑 媽 媽 黑



到 行



步



路 都 難。



hak1 maa1 maa1 hak1 dou3 haang4 bou6 lou6 dou1 naan4 dark-maa1-maa1 dark dou3 walk step road dou1 difficult. “It is dark and hard to take a step.” 126.



hak1 mang1 mang1 (黑蚊蚊 黑蚊蚊) 黑蚊蚊 35, (very) black / dark



最 近 岩



岩



曬 到 黑 蚊 蚊， 經 已 想



zeoi3-gan6 ngaam1 ngaam1 saai3 dou3 hak1 mang1 mang1 ging1-ji5 soeng2 recently just just bask dou3 black-mang1-mang1 already want



轉



下



zyun3 haa5 change haa5



日 日 例



搽



嘅



橙 色 胭 脂。



jat6-jat6 lai6 caa4 ge3 caang2-sik1 jin1-zi1 everyday regular apply PART orange fard



“(Somebody) just sunburned and he/she has already wanted to change the orange fard which he/she uses regularly everyday.” 127.



hak1 mi1 maa1 (黑咪媽 黑咪媽) 黑咪媽 36, (very) black / dark



呢 處 係 餵 狗 曲 奇 嘅 地 方， 黑 咪 媽



lei1 cyu3 hai6 wai3 gau2 kuk1-kei4 ge3 dei6-fong1 this place be feed dog cookie ge3 place



要



jiu3 need



拎



ling1 take



電 筒



din6-tung2 torch



照



住



入



hak1 mi1 maa1 black-mi1-maa1



去。



ziu3 zyu6 jap6 heoi3 illuminate ASP inside go



“This place where we feed cookies to the dog is very dark, we need a torch to go inside.” 128.



hak1 mi1 mang1 (黑瞇蚊 黑瞇蚊) 黑瞇蚊 37, (very) black / dark



你 幻



想



一 下 那 個 情 景， 是 黑 瞇 蚊



的。



nei5 waan6-soeng2 jat1 haa5 naa5 go3 cing4-ging2 si6 hak1 mi1 mang1 dik1 2.SG imagine one time that CL scene is black-mi1-mang1 dik1 “You can imagine that scene is very dark.”



34 35 36 37



from Apple Daily (01/3/2008: G01) from Weekend Weekly (01/3/2004: Pg 130) from http://www1.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=5198293&page=41&extra=page%3D1 from Oriental Sunday (15/3/2006: Pg 100)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



25



129.



hak1 gu2 lak6 dat6 (黑古勒特 黑古勒特) 黑古勒特 38, with dark and black complexion



黑 古 勒 特



嘅 劉 青 雲， 喺 新 片



hak1 gu2 lak6 dat6 ge3 black-gu2-lak6-dat6 ge3



lau4 cing1 wan4 hai2 san1 pin2 lau4-cing1-wan4 at new movie



《絕 世 好 賓》 中



zyut6 sai3 hou2 ban1 zyut6-sai3-hou2-ban1



扮 演



菲 律 賓 人。



zung1 baan3-jin2 fei1-leot6-ban1-jan4 inside act-as Filipino



“Lau Cing-wan who ha s a dark complexion acts as a Filipino in the new movie ‘Zyut Sai Hou Ban’.” 130.



wu1 zeot1 zeot1 (烏卒卒 烏卒卒) 烏卒卒 39, (very) black



嘩！ 呢 隻 蝙 蝠 咁



嘅， 烏 卒 卒！



恐 怖



waa1 lei1 zek3 pin1-fuk1 gam3 hung2-bou3 ge2 wu1 zeot1 zeot1 INTJ. this CL bat gam3 terrible PART black-zeot1-zeot1 “Wow! This bat is terrible. It is so black!” 131.



hung4 dong1 dong6 (紅噹噹 紅噹噹) 紅噹噹 40, red



傳



統 花 燈



嘅 款 式 紅 噹 噹 又 娘，



cyun4-tung2 faa1-dang1 ge3 fun2-sik1 hung4 dong1 dong6 jau6 noeng1 traditional festive-lantern ge3 style red-dong1-dong6 also unpopular



只 適 宜 過 時 過 節



zi2 sik1-ji4 only fit



gwo3-si4-gwo3-zit3 season



使 用。



si2-jung6 use



“The style of the traditional festive lantern is red and unpopular. It is used during the season only.” 132.



hung4 bok1 bok1 (紅卜卜 紅卜卜) 紅卜卜 41, red



揀 士 多 啤 梨 小 貼 士： 好 簡 單，



只 要



gaan2 si6-do1-be1-lei2 siu2 tip3-si6 hou2 gaan2-daan1 zi2-jiu3 pick strawberry small tips very simple just



看 到



果 實 全 粒 紅 卜 卜 即 可 採 摘。



hon3 dou3 gwo2-sat6 cyun4 lap1 hung4 bok1 bok1 zik1 ho2 coi2-zaak6 see dou3 fruit whole CL red-bok1-bok1 then can pluck



“A small tip to pick a strawberry: it is easy, just pluck one that the whole fruit is red.” 133.



hyut3 lam4 lam4 (血淋淋 血淋淋) 血淋淋 42, blood red



兇



徒 拿 著



血 淋 淋



的 兇



刀，



hung1-tou4 naa4 zoek3 hyut3 lam4 lam4 dik1 hung1 dou1 murderer hold ASP blood-red-lam4-lam4 dik1 murderous sword



街 頭 留 下



二 百



gaai1 tau4 lau4 haa6 ji6 baak3 street head leave haa6 two hundred



公



尺 血 路。



gung1-cek3 hyut3 lou6 meter blood road



“The murderer held a blood-red murderous sword, leaving a two-hundred meter blood road at the beginning of the street.”



38 39 40 41 42



from Oriental Sunday (28/4/2004: Pg 110) from Apple Daily (27/10/2007: G02) from The Sun (31/03/2008: E09) from Ming Pao (23/2/2008: K09) from The Sun (30/3/2008: A02)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



26



134.



baak6 syut1 syut1 (白雪雪 白雪雪) 白雪雪 43, white



皮 膚 白 雪 雪 嘅



比



西 班



牙



Keira Knightley pei4-fu1 baak6 syut1 syut1 ge3 Keira Knightley bei2 sai1-baan1-ngaa4 skin white-syut1-syut1 ge3 Keira Knightley compare Spain



嘅古 銅



女



星



吸 引。



Penelope Cruz ge3 gu2-tung4 neoi5 sing1 Penelope Cruz kap1-jan5 ge3 bronze female actress Penelope Cruz attractive



“Keira Knightley whose complexion is white is more attractive than Penelope Cruz whose complexion is bronze.” 135.



baak6 saai4 saai4 (白晒晒 白晒晒) 白晒晒 44, white



戲 入 面



飾 演 殭



屍王



子， 因 為



Edison hei3 jap6-min6 Edison sik1-jin2 goeng1-si1 wong4-zi2 movie inside Edison act vampire prince



太 耐 冇 吸 人



jan1-wai6 because



血， 搞 到 塊 面 白 晒 晒。



taai3 noi6 mou5 kap1 jan4 hyut3 gaau2 dou3 faai3 min6 baak6 saai4 saai4 too long NEG suck human blood make dou3 CL face white-saai4-saai4 “Edison act as a vampire prince in the movie, his face turns white because he has not sucked up blood for a long time.” 136.



baak6 laai4 saai4 (白賴晒 白賴晒) 白賴晒 45, white



咩 都 冇 白 賴 晒 嘅 就 係



，有 間 條 嘅 就 係



。



Muji Uniqlo me1 dou1 mou5 baak6 laai4 saai4 ge3 zau6 hai6 Muji jau5 gaan3-tiu5 ge3 zau6 hai6 Uniqlo what dou1 no white-laai4-saai4 ge3 zau6 be Muji have stripe ge3 zau6 be Uniqlo “When it has nothing but the color white, it is Muji. When it has stripes, it is Uniqlo.” 137.



wong4 gam4 gam4 (黃咁咁 黃咁咁) 黃咁咁 46, yellow



潮 氣 十 足，可 惜 用



得 一 段 時 間， 就 會 黃 咁 咁。



Sony Ericsson W800i Sony Ericsson W800i ciu4-hei3 sap6-zuk1 ho2-sik1 jung6 dak1 jat1 dyun6 si4-gaan3 zau6 wui5 wong4 gam4 gam4 Sony Ericsson W800i trendy full-of sadly use dak1 one period time zau6 will yellow-gam4-gam4 “(The mobile) Sony Ericsson W800i is very trendy, unfortunately, it will turn yellow in a period of time.” 138.



ceng1 bi1 bi1 (青咇咇 青咇咇) 青咇咇 47, light green



凡



帶 酸 嘅 都 非 我 所 好， 尤 其 係 自



faan4 daai3 syun1 ge3 dou1 fei1 ngo5 so2 hou3 any have sour ge3 dou1 NEG 1.SG so2 like



細



jau4-kei4 hai6 zi6 sai3 especially be since young



就 認 定 係 超 酸 嘅 青 咇咇



zau6 jing6-ding6 hai6 ciu1 syun1 ge3 ceng1 bi1 bi1 zau6 presume be super sour ge3 light-green-bi1-bi1



奇 異 果。 kei4-ji6-gwo2 kiwi



“I am not fond of anything that is sour, especially the light-greenish kiwis which I have presumed to be very sour since I am young.”



43 44 45 46 47



from The Metro (18/3/2008: P18) from Oriental Sunday (18/12/2002: Pg. 60) from http://tracy5206.spaces.live.com/ from The Sun (28/3/2006: E08) from Apple Daily (16/5/2007: E14)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



27



139.



faa1 luk1 luk1 (花碌碌 花碌碌) 花碌碌 48, colorful



今 年 春 夏



季



流 行 嘅 顏



色 會 好 似



gam1 nin4 ceon1 haa6 gwai3 lau4-hang4 ge3 ngaan4-sik1 wui5 hou2-ci5 this year spring summer season prevailing ge3 color will like



萬



花 筒



咁



maan6-faa1-tung4 gam2 kaleidoscope gam2



花 碌 碌。



faa1 luk1 luk1 flower-luk1-luk1



“The colour trend of the Spring/Summer collection this year will be as colourful as a kaleidoscope.” 140.



faa1 li1 faa1 luk1 (花喱花碌 花喱花碌) 花喱花碌 49, colorful



花 喱花 碌



嘅 背 包



係 唔 少



faa1 li1 faa1 luk1 ge3 bui3-baau1 hai6 ng4 siu2 flower-li1-flower-luk1 ge3 knapsack be NEG few “Colourful knapsacks are most girls’ favourite.”



女 生 嘅 心 頭 好。



neoi5-sang1 ge3 sam1-tau4-hou3 girl ge3 favourite



5.3 TEXTURES and SENSES 141.



aam4 aam4 caam4 caam4 (岩岩慚慚 岩岩慚慚), 岩岩慚慚 irregular, asymmetric



舊



石頭 岩 岩 慚 慚 ， 你因住親呀



gau6 sek6 tau4 aam4 aam4 caam4 caam4 gaa3 nei5 jan1 zyu6 gaai3 can1 aa3 CL rock aam4 aam4 caam4 caam4 PART 2.SG be-careful cut can1 PART “The rock is so irregular. Make sure that you don”t get hurt (when holding it).” 142.



ceoi3 bok1 bok1 (脆卜卜 脆卜卜) 脆卜卜 50, crispy



天 婦 羅 碎 即 刻



食 時 脆 卜 卜



tin1-fu5-lo4 seoi3 zik1-hak1 sik6 si4 ceoi3 bok1 bok1 tempura crisps immediately eat time crispy-bok1-bok1 “If the tempura crisps are eaten immediately, they will still be crispy.”



143.



dung3 bing1 bing1 (凍冰冰 凍冰冰), 凍冰冰 state of very cold (ice-like)



點



解 你 隻 手 凍 冰 冰 ？ 係 咪 唔 舒 服 呀？



dim2-gaai2 nei5 zek3 sau2 dung3 bing1 bing1 ge2? hai6 mai6 m4 syu1 fuk6 aa3? Why 2.SG CL hand cold-ice-ice PART be not-be NEG comfortable PART “Why are your hands so cold? Are you not feeling feel?” 144.



gon1 zang1 zang1 (乾爭爭 乾爭爭), 乾爭爭 dry



啲 麵 包 乾 爭 爭, 好



di1 min6-baau1 gon1 zang1 zang1 hou2 CL bread dry-zang1-zang1, INTENS “The bread is so dry. It doesn”t taste good.”



145.



haai4 saap6 saap6 (諧霎霎 諧霎霎), 諧霎霎 rough



佢



啲皮 膚



諧 霎 霎



難 食 呀



naan4 sik6 aa3 hard eat PART



梗 係 平 時 好 少 護 膚！



Keoi5 di1 pei4 fu1 haai4 saap6 saap6 gang2 hai6 ping4 si4 hou2 siu2 wu6 fu1 gaa3 laak3 3.SG POSS skin rough-saap6-saap6, definite be flat time INTENS little protect skin PART PART “His/her skin is so rough. I bet s/he seldom takes care of it.”



48 49 50



from Apple Daily (11/3/2008: A13) from Sing Tao Daily (18/5/2007: E04) from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



28



146.



heng1 piu1 piu1 (輕飄飄 輕飄飄), 輕飄飄 light



張 紙 輕 飄 飄 因住佢俾風吹走啊



, zoeng1 zi2 heng1-piu1-piu1 jan1 zyu6 keoi5 bei2 fung1 ceoi1 zau2 aa3 CL paper light-flow-flow be-careful 3.SG bei2 wind blow leave PART “This piece of paper is so light. Make sure that it won”t be blowed away by the breeze.” 147.



hing4 hap6 hap6 ( 烚烚), 烚烚 hot



出 面 熱 到  烚 烚 我 都 唔 想 出 街 呀



, ceot1 min6 jit6 dou3 hing3 hap6 hap6, ngo5 dou1 m4 soeng2 ceot1 gaai1 aa3 outside hot dou3 hot-hap6-hap6 , 1.SG dou1 NEG want exit street PART “It”s so hot out there. I don”t want to go out.” 148.



jit6 laat6/1 laat6/1 (熱 熱辣辣) 辣辣 , state of very hot



碗 湯 仲 熱 辣 辣 ， 快  飲  佢 啦



wun2 tong1 zung6 jit6 laat6 laat6 gaa3 faai3 di1 jam2 zo2 keoi5 laa1 CL soup still hot-laat6-laat6 PART, fast little drink PERF 3.SG PART “The soup is still hot. Take it as soon as possible.” 149.



jyun5 laai4 laai4 (軟癩癩 軟癩癩), 軟癩癩 To describe one”s body getting “soft” (i.e. tired, not feeling well)



佢



覺 得 好



唔



舒 服 周 身 軟 癩 癩



, keoi5 gok3 dak1 hou2 m4 syu1-fuk6 zau1 san1 jyun5-laai4-laai4 3.SG feel dak1 INTENS NEG comfortable, all body soft-laai4-laai4 “S/he is feeling very sick and tired/weak.”



150.



lap6 ci1 ci1 ( 黐黐), 黐黐 sticky



點 解 隻 杯 仲 係 黐黐 ？ 梗係你未洗乾淨啦



dim2-gaai2 zek3 bui1 zung6 hai6 lap6 ci1 ci1 ge2? gang2 hai6 nei5 mei6 sai2 gon1-zeng6 laa1 why CL cup still be sticky-ci1ci1 PART definite be 2.SG not-yet wash clean PART “Why is the cup still a bit sticky? I”m sure you didn”t wash it well.” 151.



sap1 det6 det6 (濕 濕



個



), wet



濕□□ □□， 小心 霰 親呀



地下



go3 dei6-haa2 sap1 det6 det6 gaa3, siu2 sam1 sin3 can1 aa3 CL floor wet-det6-det6 PART be-careful slip can1 PART “The floor is very sliperry. Be careful!”



152.



sap1 lap6 lap6 (濕 濕), wet



哩 排 啲 天氣



濕 ， 搞到個人都冇晒心機做呀！



Li1 paai4 di1 tin1 hei3 sap1 lap6 lap6 gaau2 dou3 go3 jan4 mou5 saai3 sam1-gei1 zou6 je5 aa3 this period CL weather wet-lap6-lap6 make dou3 CL person no saai3 agility do1 thing PART “The weather is so humid these days. I don”t have any mood to work.”



153.



tau4 cek3 cek3 (頭赤赤 頭赤赤), 頭赤赤 feeling a bit dizzy



做  成 日



野 依 家 頭 赤赤 咁



好



唔



舒 服



, , zou6 zo2 seng4 jat6 je5 ji1-gaa1 tau4 cek3 cek3 gam2 hou2 m4 syu1-fuk6 do PERF whole day things, now head-cek3-cek3 gam2 INTENS NEG comfortable “Having worked for the whole day, I”ve got a headache now. I am feeling very uncomfortable. 154.



tau4 wan4 wan4 (頭暈暈 頭暈暈), 頭暈暈 feeling dizzy



哩 排



佢



成 日 見 頭 暈 暈 咁，叫 佢 多 休 息 喇



d lei1 paai4 keoi5 seng4 jat6 gin3 tau4 wan4 wan4 gam2, giu3 keoi5 do1 di1 jau1 sik1 laa1 this period 3.SG whole day see head faint faint gam2 ask 3.SG many little rest PART “S/he always feels dizzy these days. Tell him to rest more.”



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



29



155.



waat6 lyut1 lyut1 (滑脟脟 滑脟脟), 滑脟脟 state of very smooth



佢



啲 皮膚



滑 脟脟



好



靚



呀



, keoi5 di1 pei4-fu1 waat6 lyut1 lyut1 hou2 leng3 aa3 3.SG POSS skin smooth-lyut1-lyut1, INTENS pretty PART “Her skin is so soft and tender. It is very attractive.” 156.



waat6 saan4 saan4 (滑潺潺 滑潺潺) 滑潺潺 51, unpleasantly slippery



啲 魚 滑 潺 潺 咁



我



勁



, di1 jyu4 waat6 saan4 saan4 gam3, ngo5 ging6 the fish smooth-saan4-saan4 gam3, 1.SG very “The fish is slippery. I am very afraid of it.” 157.



驚 呀



geng1 aa1 afraid PART



wan4 to4 to4 (暈陀陀 暈陀陀) 暈陀陀 52, swaying and feeling dizzy



袁 潔 儀 攬 住 男 觀



眾 電 到



對 方 暈 陀陀



, jyun4-git3-ji4 laam5 zyu2 naam4 gun1-zung3, din6 dou3 deoi3-fong1 wan4 to4 to4 Jyun-git-ji hold ASP male audience, attract dou3 partner dizzy-to4-to4 “Jyun-git-ji made the male audience feel very excited when she hugged him.



5.4 EMOTIONS 158.



□ 揗), to get agitated, feeling uneasy/restless 去 考 試, 所 以 係 度 發 晒 □ 揗



faat3 ti4 tan4 (發 發



聽 日 佢 會



囉



ting1-jat6 keoi5 wui5 heoi3 haau2-si5 , so2- ji5 hai2 dou6 faat3 saai3 ti4 tan4 lo1 tomorrow 3.SG will go examination, so be here faat3-saai3-ti4-tan4 PART “S/he is sitting for an exam tomorrow, so s/he is getting agitated now.” 159.



gu1 ling1 ling1 (孤零零 孤零零), 孤零零 lonely



個 女 仔 孤 零 零



咁,



無



人



照



顧, 好



go3 neoi5 zai2 gu1 ling1 ling1 gam3 mou5 jan4 ziu3-gu3 CL girl little lonely-ling1-ling1 gam3, not-have person care “The girl is orphaned and nobody takes care of her. What a pity!” 160.



hei3 gu2 gu2 (氣鼓鼓 氣鼓鼓) 氣鼓鼓 53, to be angry



連 他 們 氣 鼓 鼓的神



情 都 一 模 一



可 憐 呀



hou2 ho2-lin4 aa3 INTENS pitiful PART



樣



lin4 taa1-mun4 hei3 gu2 gu2 dik1 san4-cing4 dou1 jat1-mou4-jat1-joeng6 still 3.PL gas-gu2-gu dik1 expression dou1 same “They looked so much alike even when they got angry.”



161.



lo1 lo1 lyun1 (囉囉攣 囉囉攣), 囉囉攣 being disturbed, being worried, feeling uneasy



聽日



佢



會 去 面 試 所以 個 心



囉 囉 攣 呀



, ting1 jat6 keoi5 wui5 heoi3 min6 si5 so2-ji5 go3 sam1 lo1 lo1 lyun1 aa3 tomorrow 3.SG will go face test, so CL heart lo1 lo1 lyun1 PART “S/he will attend an interview tomorrow, so she is feeling very worried.”



51



from Apple Daily (30/9/2004)



52



from Apple Daily (2/10/2004:C10) from Apple Daily (10/10/2004)



53



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



30



162.



mang2 mang2 zang2 zang2 (忟忟 忟忟憎憎 忟忟憎憎), 憎憎 losing temper, getting angry, agitated



多  做 就 會 忟 忟 憎 憎 咁 



佢 凡親



喇



keoi5 faan4-can1 do1 je5 zou6 zau6 wui5 mang2 mang2 zang2 zang2 gam2 gaa3 laa3 3.SG whenever many thing do zau6 will mang2 mang2 zang2 zang2 gam2 PART PART “He/she always loses temper, no one dare talk to him/her.”



163.



ngaan5 sap1 sap1 (眼濕濕 眼濕濕) 眼濕濕 54, starting to cry



當



面 道 歉



時



霆鋒



更



眼 濕 濕



dong1-min6 dou6 hip3 si4 ting4-fung1 gang3 ngaan5 sap1 sap1 face-to-face say sorry when ting4-fung1 INTENS eye-wet-wet “Ting-fung was almost weeping when he apologized (to Mr. Wong) face-to-face.”



164.



ngong6 geoi1 geoi1 (戇 戇居居), 居居 Being at a loss to know what to do



個 男



仔



個



戇 居 居



樣



咁 所 以 無 女 仔 鐘 意



, go3 naam3 zai2 go3 joeng2 ngong6-geoi1-geoi1 gam2 so2-ji5 mou5 neoi5 zai2 zung1-ji3 CL boy little CL appearance silly-geoi1-geoi1 gam2, so not-have girl little like “The boy looks dull and stupid, so no girls like him.” 165.



nau1 baau3 baau3 (嬲爆爆 嬲爆爆), 嬲爆爆 angry



佢



今日 成



日 都



嬲 爆 爆 咁 唔 知 邊個 激



囉



lo1 PART



親 佢 呢？



, Keoi5 gam1 jat6 seng4 jat6 dou1 nau1 baau3 baau3 gam2 m4 zi1 bin1-go3 gik1 can1 keoi5 ne1 3.SG today whole day also angry-explode-explode gam3, NEG know who provoke can1 3.SG PART “S/he has been upset for the whole day. Who provoked him/her again?” 166.



siu3 mi1 mi1 (笑咪咪 笑咪咪) 笑咪咪 55, to smile slightly



陳 秀 珠 帶 太 子 睇 騒 笑 咪 咪



can4-sau3-zyu1 daai3 taai3-zi2 tai2 sou1 siu3 mi1 mi1 Can-sau-zyu bring Prince watch show laugh-mi1-mi1 “Chan Sau Chu brought the “Prince” with her and watched the show happily.” 167.



zeoi2 miu5 miu5(嘴藐藐 嘴藐藐) 嘴藐藐 56, moving the lips to show hatred, indifference/ look down upon somebody



小 池 榮 子則 表 情 多 多 連



跟 社 長



合



, siu2-ci4-wing4-zi2 zak1 biu2-cing4 do1 do1, lin4 gan1 se5 zoeng2 hap6 Siu-ci-wing-zi then expressions many many, even with company head together



照



時 也



嘴 藐 藐



ziu3 si4 jaa5 zeoi2 miu2 miu2 photograph when also mouth-miu5-miu5 “Siu-ci-wing-zi had lots of facial expressions. She even raised her lips and looked indifferent when she took a picture with her boss”



54 55 56



from Apple Daily (27/9/2004) from Apple Daily (11/10/2004:C12) from Apple Daily (30/9/2004:C33)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



31



5.5 TASTES 168.



fu2 fu2 gip3 gip3 (苦苦澀澀 苦苦澀澀), 苦苦澀澀 a bit / too bitter



啲 藥



苦 苦 澀 澀,



水



個



小 朋 友 唔



di1 joek6 seoi2 fu2 fu2 gip3 gip3, go3 siu2 pang4-jau5 m4 di1 medicine water bitter-bitter-acrid-acrid, CL little friend NEG “The syrup (medicine) was bitter and the kid refused to take it.” 169.



haam4 haam2 dei2 (鹹鹹地 鹹鹹地), 鹹鹹地 a bit/ too salty



點



解 啲 水



鹹 鹹 地 咁 難



肯



hang2 be-willing



飲



呀



jam2 aa3 drink PART



飲 ？



dim2-gaai2 di1 seoi2 haam3 haam2 dei2 gam3 naan4 jam2 ge2? why CL water salty-salty-dei2, this difficult drink PART “Why does the water taste salty? It doesn”t taste good at all.” 170.



syun1 mei1 mei1 (酸瞇瞇 酸瞇瞇), 酸瞇瞇 a bit sour



啲



芒 果 酸 瞇 瞇 



唔



好



食



taam5 mau6 mau6 (淡 淡茂茂), 茂茂 almost tasteless



都



, di1 mong1 gwo2 syun1 mei1 mei1 ge2 m4 CL mangoes sour-mei1-mei1 PART, NEG “The mangoes are a bit sour. Don”t try them.” 171.



碗



淡



粥



茂



茂



一



hou2 sik6 good eat



啲



呀



aa3 PART



唔



好



食



, wun2 zuk1 taam5 mau6 mau6 jat1 di1 dou1 m4 hou2 sik6 CL congee light-in-taste-mau6-mau6, one di1 dou1 NEG good eat “The congee is tasteless. I does”t taste good at all.” 172.



tim4 je4 je4 (甜椰椰 甜椰椰), 甜椰椰 a bit sweet



啲 糖



甜 椰 椰 唔 好 食 咁 多 呀， 因 住 蛀 牙 呀！



, di1 tong2 tim4 je4 je4, m4 hou2 sik6 gam3 do1 aa3, jan- zyu6 zyu3 ngaa4 aa3 CL candies sweet-je4-je4, NEG good eat that many PART, be-careful decay tooth PART “The candies are too sweet. Don”t eat too much or you”ll have tooth decay.” 173.



tim4 si1 si1(甜絲絲 甜絲絲) 甜絲絲 57, sweet



遠



方 的 爸 爸 知 道 女 兒惦 記 著 他 心 裡是 甜 絲 絲的



, jyun5-fong1 dik1 baa1-baa1 zi1-dou3 neoi3-ji4 dim3 gei3 zoek3 taa1, sam1 leoi5 si6 tim4 si1 si1 dik1 faraway dik1 father know daughter miss remember ASP him, heart inside is sweet-silk-silk dik1 “Her father, who is faraway from her, is very happy for he knows his daughter misses him very much.” 174.



cau3 bang1bang1(臭崩崩 臭崩崩), 臭崩崩 stinky



香 港



人



香 噴



噴 中 國



人



臭 崩 崩。



hoeng1 gong2 jan4 hoeng1 pan3 pan3 zung1 gwok3 jan4 cau3 bang1 bang1 “Hong Kong people fragrant spray spray Chinese people stink-bang1-bang1” “Hong Kong people smell good, Chinese people smell bad.”



57



from Ming Pao (27/9/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



32



175.



58



58 fu2 gwo3 di2 di2 (苦過 d d) d) , bitter



掉 頭 diu6



想



tiu4



zau2



koek3 zou2 ji5



want



leave



but already ASP mother



DD



的 廿 四 味



都



fu2 gwo3 di2 di2 dik1 ya3 sei3 mei6 Bitter-gwo3-di2-di2 dik1



bei6



媽



soeng2



change head



苦 過



走 卻 早 已 被



maa1 maa1 gaap3 clip



bei6



nose



zi2



baa2 jat1wun2



put one



CL



灌 進 肚 子。



dou1



agency-24



媽 夾 鼻 子， 把 一 碗



gun3 zeon3 tou5 zi2



INTENS pour



into



stomach



‘While I am turning about to leave, my nose is already caught by my mother and a bowl of agency-24 is poured into my mouth.’ 176.



59 syu syun1 lau6 lau6 (酸溜溜 (酸溜溜) 酸溜溜) , sour



酸 溜 溜



零 食 解



新 春



膩 滯。



syun1 lau6 lau6



ling4 sik6 gaai2



san1 ceon1



Sour-lau6-lau6



snack relieve Lunar New Year greasy



nei6 zai6



‘Snack with sour taste helps relieving the greasy after the Lunar New Year.’



5.6 ODOURS 177.



cau4 bang1 bang1 (臭崩崩 臭崩崩), 臭崩崩 stinky



個



洗



手



間



臭 崩 崩 咁 搵 人 洗 洗 啦



, go3 sai2 sau2 gaan1 cau3 bang1 bang1 gam2 wan2 jan4 sai2 sai2 laa1 CL wash hand room stink-bang1-bang1 gam2, call person wash wash PART “The washroom is somewhat stinky. Get somebody to clean it.” 178.



hoeng1 pan3 pan3 (香噴噴 香噴噴), 香噴噴 fragrant, good smell of food



啲 麵包



香



噴 噴 一 定 好 好 食 



, di1 min6-baau1 hoeng1 pan3 pan3 jat1-ding6 hou2 hou2 sik6 CL bread fragrant-spray-spray must good good eat “The bread smells so good. It must be very delicious.” 179.



sou1 hang1 hang1 (臭亨亨 臭亨亨) 臭亨亨 60, stinky



污



糟



糟，



wu1 zou1 zou1 dirty bad bad



臭 亨 亨。



cau3 hang1 hang1 stink-hang1-hang1



‘(Somebody or something) is dirty and smelly.’



58



From Online Website – Sunny8.com http://lamng.sunny8.cn/p/14858 From Online Website – Rayli.com http://food.rayli.com.cn/2002/2008-02-22/L2002004_289605.html 60 From Online forum - Discuss.com.hk http://www24.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=4631737&extra=&page=56 59



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



33



180.



jyun1 bang1 laan6 cau3 (冤崩爛臭 冤崩爛臭) 冤崩爛臭 61, very stinky



一 個 派 對 入 面， 居 然 所 有 參 加 者 都 一 樣 「冤 jat1 go3 paai3 deoi3 jap6 min6，geoi1 jin4 so2 jau5 caam1 gaa1 ze2 dou1 jat1 joeng6 jyun1 one



CL



party



inside



unexpectedly all



participant



also



the same



jyun1-



崩



爛 臭」， 而 在 場 男 女 蒲 友 仲 要 以 此 為 樂。 bang1 laan6 cau3」，ji4 zoi6 coeng4 naam4 neoi5 pou4 jau5 zung6 jiu3 ji5 ci2 wai4 lok3 Bang1-laan6-stink



yet



there



male



female participants



rather



regard this



as



happiness



‘In a party, unexpectedly every participant is extremely stinky and yet they rather enjoy that.” 181.



syun1 syun1 suk1 suk1 (酸酸 酸酸縮縮 酸酸縮縮) 縮縮 62, musty smell



其 實 要 減 少 呢 陣「 酸 酸 kei4 sat6 jiu3 gaam2 siu2 ne1 zan6 actually to



minimize



this CL



syun1 syun1 suk1 suk1 sour-sour- suk1-suk1



要 經 常 保 持



風



jiu3 ging1 soeng4 bou2 ci4



fung1 gun2



have often



keep



縮 縮 」的 霉 味， 一 定



管



內 noi6



dik1 mui4 mei6 dik1 musty smell



jat1 ding6 must



的 空 氣 流 通。 dik1 hung1 hei3 lau4 tung1



ventilation shaft inside dik1 ventilation



adequate



‘To minimize this musty smell, the ventilating shaft has to be kept adequately ventilated often.’ 182.



seng1 wan1 wan1 (腥溫溫 腥溫溫), 腥溫溫 fishy smell



我



最 鐘意 食



d



ngo5 zeoi3 zung1 ji3 sik6 d 1.SG most



like



腥 溫 溫 口既 野。



seng1 wan1 wan1 ge3



je5



eat some fishy-wan1-wan1 ge3 food



‘Food with raw smell of fish or seafood is my favorite.’



6. OTHERS: buk1 buk1 ceoi3 (卜卜脆 卜卜脆) 卜卜脆 63, crispy



183.



他 說 炒



香



了 的 新 鮮 胡 椒 咬 來 卜 卜 脆



taa1 syut3 caau2-hoeng1 liu5 dik1 san1-sin1 wu4-ziu1 ngaau5 loi4 buk1 buk1 ceoi3 3.SG say cook ASP dik1 fresh pepper bite loi4 buk1-buk1-crispy “He said that the cooked fresh pepper was crispy.”



61 62 63



From the Sun From Online Magazine - motoratnext.com from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



34



184.



cou4 hyun1 baa1 bai3(嘈喧巴閉 嘈喧巴閉) 嘈喧巴閉 64, making noise



佢



咁 嘈 喧 巴 閉



keoi5 gam2 cou4 hyun1 baa1 bai3 3. SG INTENS noisy-hyun1-baa1-bai3 “S/he is so noisy.” 185.



cyun3 cyun3 gung3 (串串共 串串共), 串串共 not being friendly



佢



串 串



成 日



共 咁



無



人



想



同



佢 講







, keoi5 seng4 jat6 cyun3 cyun3 gung3 gam2, mou5 jan4 soeng2 tung4 keoi5 gong2 je5 3.SG whole day cyun3-cyun3-gung3 gam2, not-have person want tung4 3.SG talk thing “S/he always sounds pushy and cocky. No one wants to talk to him/her.” 186.



daan6 daan6 tiu3(彈彈跳 彈彈跳) 彈彈跳 65, jumping



同



場



特



備



“



彈



彈 跳” 及 各 種 攤 位



tung4 coeng4 dak6 bei6 “daan6 daan6 tiu3” kap6 gok3-zung2 taan1-wai2 same round special present “daan6-daan6-jump” and other booth



遊 戲 以 供 一 家 大 細 共



同



jau4-hei3 ji5-gung1 jat- gaa1-daai6-sai3 gung6-tung6 game for the-whole-family together



玩 樂



wun6-lok6 play



“There was a jumping game for children to play and other games for the family to enjoy.” 187.



fi4 li1 fe4 le4 ( 唎啡哩), 唎啡哩 reflecting the sound of something watery coming out in a vigorous manner



佢講



 陣 啲口



水



列啡哩咁 噴 出  幾唔衛 生



呀！



, keoi5 gong2 je5 go2 zan6 di1 hau2 seoi2 fi4-li1-fe4-le4 gam2 pan3 ceot1 lei4, gei2 m4 wai6 sang1 aa3 3.SG talk thing that while CL mouth water fi4-li1-fe4-le4 gam3 spray out come, INTENS NEG hygienic PART “His saliva spat out as he talked. That”s so unhygienic.” 188.



hak1 gu2 lak6 dat6 (黑古勒突 黑古勒突), 黑古勒突 with somewhat dark complexion



佢



啲



皮 膚 黑 古 勒 突 咁 一 定 成 日



去 游 水



, keoi5 di1 pei4-fu1 hak1 gu2 lak6 dat6 gam2, jat1-ding6 seng4 jat6 heoi3 jau4-seoi2 3.SG POSS skin black-dark-lak6-dat6 gam2, must whole day go swim water “His/her complexion is so dark. I bet s/he always goes swimming.” 189.



喇



laa3 PART



hi1 hi1 haa1 haa1 (嘻嘻哈哈 嘻嘻哈哈) 嘻嘻哈哈 66, playing all the time, not being serious



青 少



年的 收 入 低 平 時 嘻 嘻 哈 哈



, cing1-siu2-lin4 dik1 sau1-jap6 dai1, ping4-si4 hi1 hi1 haa1 haa1 teenager dik1 income low, always hei1-hei1-haa1-haa1 “Teenages do not earn much money. They spend most of their time playing.” 190.



jat1 geoi3 geoi3(一句句 一句句) 一句句 67, repeatedly (weeping)



孔 夫 子 翻



生 都 喊 得 一 句 句



hung2-fu1-zi2 faan1-sang1 dou1 haam3 dak1 jat1 geoi3 geoi3 Hung-zi reborn dou1 cry dak1 one-sentence-sentence “Even if Hung-zi were reborn, he would still have no solution (to the problem).”



64



from Apple Daily (18/10/2004)



65



from Apple Daily (30/9/2004)



66



from Apple Daily (12/10/2004) from Ming Pao (5/10/2004)



67



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



35



191.



ji1 waa1 gwai2 giu3 ( 依嘩鬼叫) 嘩鬼叫 68, shouting wildly



陶 大 宇 順 德 冧 女, 觀 眾 依 嘩 鬼 叫



tou4-daai6-jyu5 seon6-dak1 lum1 neoi6, gun1-zung3 ji1 waa1 gwai2 giu3 Tou-tai-yu Shun De please girl, audience ji1-waa1-ghost-shout “The female viewers in Shun De shouted wildly because Tou-tai-yu”s presence.”



192.



laa4 laa2 seng1 ( 聲) / baang4 baang2 seng1 (蹦蹦聲 蹦蹦聲), 蹦蹦聲 to hurry up, quickly   ,



你



聲



做 完



啲  然後







我



房



見 我 呀



nei5 laa4 laa2 seng1 zou6 jyun4 di1 je5 jin4 hau6 jap6 lei4 ngo5 fong2 gin3 ngo5 aa3 2.SG laa4-laa2-sound do finish CL thing, then enter come 1.SG room see 1.SG PART “Finish your work as soon as possible and come to see me in my office.” 193.



nauu6 hung6 hung6 (鬧哄哄 鬧哄哄) 鬧哄哄 69, crowded



接



機 大 堂 裏 就 這 麼 鬧 哄



哄 人 來 人 往



, zip3-gei1-daai6-tong4 leoi5, zau6 ze2-mo1 nauu6 hung6 hung6 jan4-loi4-jan4-wong5 Arrivals-Hall inside, INTENS that scold-hung6-hung6 many people “There were many people in the Arrivals Hall.” 194.



ngok3 sei2 nang4 dang1 (惡死能登 惡死能登), 惡死能登 being fierce



個男



惡 死 能



仔 個 樣



登 咁



所以 無 女 仔 鐘意 囉



, go3 naam4 zai2 go3 joeng2 ngok3 sei2 nang4 dang1 gam2, so2-ji5 mou5 neoi5 zai2 zung1 ji3 lo1 CL male little CL appearance fierce-die-nang4-dang1 gam3, so no female little like PART “The guy looks fierce and offensive, so no girl likes him.” 195.



pung3 pung3 ce1 (碰碰車 碰碰車) 碰碰車 70, collision car



佢 喺 正 日 個



晚



去



順 便 玩 碰 碰 車



BBQ, keoi5 hai2 zing3-jat6-go3-maan5 heoi3 BBQ, seon6-bin6 wun6 pung3 pung3 ce1 3.SG at particular-night go BBQ, also play collide-collide-car “S/he went BBQ and played collison car.”



196.



saang1 ngau1 ngau1 (生勾勾 生勾勾) 生勾勾 71, alive



生 勾 勾,



覺 得



生 活



saang1 ngau1 ngau1, gok3-dak1 sang1-wut6 alive-ngau1-ngau1, think life



是 不 會



si6 bat1 wui6 is NEG will



選 擇



仲 有 幾 份 樂 趣 的 人



, zung6 jau5 gei2-fan6 lok6 ceoi3 dik1 jan4, still have some fun dik1 people



單 拖 去



camp syun2-zaak6 daan1-to1 heoi3 camp choose single go camp



“People who are alive and still think that life is interesting will not choose to go camping alone.” 197.



saa4 saa4 gwan2 (沙沙 沙沙滚 沙沙滚)72, to date with many people, especially the opposite sex



唔知成 日 沙 沙 滚 嘅



呢 鋪 會唔 會 定 性



Robbie, m4 zi1 sing4-jat6 saa4 saa4 gwan2 ge3 Robbie, nei1 pou1 wui6 m4 wui6 ding6-sing3 NEG know always sand-sand-gwan2 ge3 Robbie, this time will NEG will settle-down “It is hard to predict whether Robbie will settle down because he used to date with many different girls.”



68 69 70 71 72



from Apple Daily (2/10/2004:C10) from Apple Daily (27/9/2004) from Apple Daily (18/10/2004) from Metro News (6/10/2004) from Apple Daily (18/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



36



198.



sam1 juk1 juk1 (心郁郁 心郁郁), 心郁郁 eager to do something



日 都 心 郁



我 成



郁 想 去 買  部 手 機



ngo5 seng4 jat6 dou1 sam1 juk1 juk1 soeng2 heoi3 maai5 go2 bou6 sau2 gei1 1.SG whole day dou1 heart-unstable-unstable want go buy that CL hand machine “I have also been wanting to buy that mobile phone.” 199.



sam1 si1 si1 (心思思 心思思), 心思思 eager to do something, being disturbed



我



成



日 都



心 思思



想



去



機 鋪



ngo5 seng4 jat6 dou1 sam1-si1-si1 soeng2 heoi3 gei- pou2 1.SG whole day dou1 heart-think-think want go game-shop “I always want to go to the video game center to play video games.” 200.



zaa4 zaa4 lam4 (咋咋臨 咋咋臨), 咋咋臨 to hurry up



你



咋 咋 臨 做 完



啲



功



課 然 後



打 機



daa2 gei1 hit machine



即 刻



去



溫



書



, nei5 zaa4 zaa4 lam4 zou6 jyun4 di1 gung1 fo3 jin4-hau6 zik1-haak1 heoi3 wan1 syu1 2.SG zaa4-zaa4-lam4 do finish CL homework, then immediately go revise books “You should finish your homework as soon as possible and then do some revision immediately afterwards.”



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



37



PART II MORPHOLOGICAL CATEGORIES OF CANTONESE IDEOPHONES 1. AA 1.



ding1 ding1 (叮叮 叮叮), 叮叮 tram in Hong Kong



我



最



鐘 意



搭 嘅 交



通



工



就 係叮 叮



具



ngo5 zeoi3 zung1-ji3 daap3 ge3 gaau1-tung1 gung1-geoi6 zau6 hai6 ding1 ding1 1.SG most love take POSS transport tool zau6 be tram “Tram is my favorite public transport.” 2.



meou1 meou1 (喵喵 喵喵), 喵喵 cat / sound made by a cat



隻



貓



成



喵 喵 咁



日



叫



好



煩



, zek3 miu4 seng4 jat6 meou1 meou1 gam3 giu3, hou2 CL cat all day meou1 meou1 gam3 meow, INTENS “The cat always keeps on meowing, which is very annoying.” 3.



wou1 wou1 (


), dog / sound made by a dog



媽 咪 話



會



買 隻



狗 俾



faan4 annoying



喇



laa1 PART



呀



aa1 PART



我 做



生日



禮



貌 嘅



禮物



呀！





maa1-mi4 waa6 wui5 maai5 zek3 wou1 wou1 gau2 bei2 ngo5 zou6 saang1-jat6 lai5-mat6 aa3 mother say will buy CL wou1-wou1 dog give 1.SG as birthday give PART “Mummy said she”ll buy me a dog for my birthday.”



2. AB baa1 zaa1 (巴渣 巴渣), 巴渣 talkative (neg.)



4.



佢



係 一 個



好



巴渣 好



, keoi5 hai6 jat1 go3 hou2 baa1 zaa1, hou2 3.SG be one CL INTENS baa1 zaa1, INTENS “She is a very talkative and impolite girl”.



無



mou4 lai5-maau6 ge3 NEG courtesy PART



女



仔



neoi5 zai2 girl little



caat3 laa3(嚓喇 嚓喇) 嚓喇 73: sound made when something passes through a hole perfectly



5.



籃球



嚓 喇 一 聲



擦



過 籃 板



“ ” laam4 kau4 “caat3 laa3” jat1 sing1 caat3 gwo3 laam4 baan2 basket ball “caat3-laa3” one sound pass through basket board “The basketball passed through the net perfectly.”



ding1 dong3 (叮噹 叮噹), 叮噹 sound of door bell



6.



做 乜 個 門 鐘 成 日 叮 噹 叮 噹



咁



嚮 嘅



,? zou6 mat1 go3 mun4 zung1 seng4 jat6 ding1 dong3 ding1 dong3 gam2 hoeng2 ge2? Do what CL door bell all day ding1 dong3 ding1 dong3 gam2 ring PART “Why is the doorbell keep ringing?”



73



from Ming Pao (27/9/2004: A23)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



38



gwaai3 gai1 (怪雞 怪雞) 怪雞 74, strange



7.



梁



怪



嘉 傑演 得 很



雞



loeng4-gaa1-git6 jin5 dak1 han2 gwaai3-gai1 Loeng-gaa-git act dak1 INTENS strange “Loeng-gaa-git acted very strangely.”



ke4 le4 (騎呢 騎呢) 騎呢 75, behaving awkwardly



8.



原



來他 影



相



時



真 騎 呢



最 鍾 意 整 蠱 做 怪 認



, jyun4-loi4 taa1 jing2 soeng3 si4 zeoi3 zung1-ji3 zing2-gu2-zou6-gwaai3, jing6-zan1 actually 3.SG take photos when most like do-funny-things , very “Actually, he always likes to do funny things when he takes photos. This is really strange.”



3. ABC 9. (laang3 dou3) dam2 jat1 seng1 ((靚到 靚到) 靚到 抌一聲), 一聲 very beautiful



個 女



靚 到 抌 一 聲 人



仔



人



, go3 neoi5 zai2 leng3 dou3 dam2 jat1 seng1 , jan4 jan4 CL girl little beauty-dou3-dam2-one-sound, person person “The girl is very beautiful. Many people want to chase after her.” 10.



dit1 (gam3) do1 (跌咁多 跌咁多), 跌咁多 a little bit



我



好



窮 !



我 啲 錢



都



想



ke4 le4 ride-le4



追



dou1 soeng2 zeoi1 also want chase



佢



keoi5 3.SG



得 返  咁 多 咋



ngo5 hou2 kung4 gaa3 ngo5 di1 cin2 dak1 faan1 dit1 gam3 do1 zaa3 1.SG INTENS poor PART! 1.SG dil money dak1 back dit1 (gam3)-do1 PART “I am very poor! I have only a little bit amount of money left.” 11.



□ 揗), to get agitated, feeling uneasy/restless 去 考 試, 所 以 係 度 發 晒 □ 揗



faat3 ti4 tan4 (發 發



聽 日 佢 會



囉



ting1-jat6 keoi5 wui5 heoi3 haau2-si5 , so2- ji5 hai2 dou6 faat3 saai3 ti4 tan4 lo1 tomorrow 3.SG will go examination, so be here faat3-saai3-ti4-tan4 PART “S/he is sitting for an exam tomorrow, so s/he is getting agitated now.” 12.



gwat6 leoi4 ceoi4 (倔雷槌 倔雷槌), 倔雷槌 blunt



把



 刀 倔 雷 槌



咁



 唔 到



 



baa2 gaai3-dou1 gwat6 leoi4 ceoi4 gam2 gaai3 m4 dou2 je5 wo3 CL cutter blunt-leoi4-leoi4, gam2 cut NEG dou3 thing PART “The cutter is blunt. I can”t cut anything with it.” 13.



jyun4 dam4 (doeh4)(圓沊 圓沊( 圓碌碌), 圓沊 )) / jyun4 luk1 luk1 (圓碌碌 圓碌碌 round



佢



塊



面



圓



沊



成 個 波 咁



keoi5 faai3 min6 jyun4 dam4 deoh4 seng4 go3 bo1 gam2 3.SG CL face round-dam4-doeh4 whole CL ball gam2 “His/Her face is as round as a ball.”



74 75



Example from Ming Pao (28/9/2004) from Apple Daily (30/9/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



39



14.



mou4 lei4 tau4(無里頭 無里頭) 無里頭 76, illogical



早



已



變



得 神 經



并



因 外



流 內 流



錯 亂



無 里 頭



, zou2 ji5 bin3 dak1 sin4-ging1 cok3 lyun6 mou4 lei4 tau4, early ASP change dak1 nervous wrong mess no-lei4-head,



而 散 失 功



力



bing6 jan1 ngoi6 lau4 noi6 lau4 ji4 saan3 sat1 gung1-lik6 also cause outside flow inside flow so-that scatter lose power “(They) could only think illogically and lose their powers.”



無 里 頭 錯 摸 的 劇 情, 其 實 涉 及 江 湖. mou4 lei4 tau4 no-lei4-head



洪



門



co3-mo2-dik1 kek6-cing4, kei4-sat6 sip3-kap6 gong1-wu4. unpredictable scene, actually involve gangster-society.



祖 廟 孫



中



山 和



興



中 會



. . hung4-mun4. zou2 miu6 . syun1-zung1-saan1 wo4 hing3-zung1-wui3 Hung4-mun2. ancestral-temple. Dr. Sun and Hing-zung-wui



“The drama had unpredictable themes, which were related to the gangster-society, Hung-mun, ancestral temple, Dr. Sun, and Hing-zung-wui.” 15.



zik6 bat1 lat1 直筆甩 very straight



佢



個



工



人



成 日 幫 佢 燙 到  衫 直 筆 甩 



keoi5 go3 gung1 jan4 seng4 jat6 bong2 keoi5 tong3 dou3 di1 saam1 zik6 bat1 lat1 gaa3 3.SG POSS work person whole day help 3.SG iron dou3 CL clothes straight-bat1-lat1 PART “His/her domestic helper always irons his clothes and makes them very flat and straight.”



4. AAB baang4 baang4 seng1(嘭嘭 嘭嘭聲 嘭嘭聲)77: increasing rapidly



16.



米 高 唔知係 咪 呢 排 打 官 司 打 到 窮,所 以 mai5-gou1 m4 zi1 hai6 mai1 lei1-paai4 daa2-gun1-si1 daa2 dou3 kung4, so2-ji5 Michael NEG know is mai1 recently attend-courts attend dou3 poor, so-that



諗 起事 業 發 到



嘭



嘭



聲 嘅 妮歌



lam2-hei2 si6-jip6 faat3 dou3 baang4 baang4 seng1 ge3 nei4-go1 think-of career develop dou3 baang4-baang4-seng1 ge3 Nicole “Michael has recently been dealing with many court cases which cost him a fortune. And that might be the reason why he thinks of Nicole, whose career is at its pinnacle.”



17.



bai1 bai1 dei2 (跛跛地 跛跛地), 跛跛地 crippled



隻



狗 被 車 撞



倒 之 後 而 家 跛 跛 地



唔 識 跑



囉



, , zek2 gau2 bei2 ce1 zong6 dou2 zi1-hau6, ji4-gaa1 bai1 bai1 dei2, m sik1 paau2 lo3 CL dog bei2 car collide down thereafter, now cripple-cripple-dei2, NEG know run PART “Ever since the dog was knocked down by a car, it has been crippled and has not been able to run.”



76 77



from Ming Pao (28/9/2004) from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



40



18.



bang1 bang1 tiu3(蹦蹦跳 蹦蹦跳) 蹦蹦跳 78, jumping around



先 排 在 最 前 見 到 爹 哋即 蹦 蹦 跳走 出 來



瑤 瑤 一 馬 當



, jiu4 jiu4 jat1-maa5-dong1-sin1 paai4 zoi6 zeoi3 cin4, gin3 dou3 de1-di4 zik1 bang1 bang1 tiu3zau2 ceot1-loi4 Jiu-jiu fastest line-up at most up-front, see dou3 father immediately baang6-baang6-jump run out “Jiu-jiu lined up at the most first position. She jumped to her father immediately when she saw him.” 19.



be1 be1 gung3 (啤啤 啤啤貢 啤啤貢), staring



做



咩 啤 啤 貢 呀



想



打



交



呀



, ? zou6 me1 be1 be1 gung3 aa1, soeng2 daa1-gaau1 aa1 do what stare-stare-gung3 PART want fight PART “What are you staring at? You want to have a fight?” 20.



bing4 bing4 tiu3(砰砰跳 砰砰跳) 砰砰跳 79, beating (usually of heart)



人



心 跟 着 砰 砰 跳 跳 過 了 半 夜



, jan4 sam1 gan1 zoek6 bing4 bing4 tiu3, tiu3 gwo3 liu5 bun3-je6 human heart follow ASP bing4-bing4-jump, jump over PART mid-night “The hearts of people were bouncing. They did not even slow down after mid-night.” 21.



buk1 buk1 ceoi3 (卜卜脆 卜卜脆) 卜卜脆 80, crispy



他 說 炒



了 的 新 鮮 胡 椒 咬 來 卜 卜 脆



香



taa1 syut3 caau2-hoeng1 liu5 dik1 san1-sin1 wu4-ziu1 ngaau5 loi4 buk1 buk1 ceoi3 3.SG say cook ASP dik1 fresh pepper bite loi4 buk1-buk1-crispy “He said that the cooked fresh pepper was crispy.” 22.



coeng4 coeng2/4 dei2 (長長地 長長地), 長長地 a bit long



你



仲



得 長 長



記唔記



地 頭 髮 個 女



同 事 呀



? nei5 zung6 gei3 m4 gei3 dak1 coeng4-coeng4-dei2 tau4 faat3 go2 go3 neoi5 tung4-si6 aa3? 2.SG still remember-NEG-remember dak1 long-long-ish head hair that CL female colleague PART “Do you still remeber the female colleauge who has long hair?” 23.



cyun3 cyun3 gung3 (串串共 串串共), 串串共 not being friendly



佢



串 串



成 日



共 咁



無



人



想



同



佢 講







, keoi5 seng4 jat6 cyun3 cyun3 gung3 gam2, mou5 jan4 soeng2 tung4 keoi5 gong2 je5 3.SG whole day cyun3-cyun3-gung3 gam2, not-have person want tung4 3.SG talk thing “S/he always sounds pushy and cocky. No one wants to talk to him/her.” 24.



daan6 daan6 tiu3(彈彈跳 彈彈跳) 彈彈跳 81, jumping



同



場



特



備



“



彈



彈 跳” 及 各 種 攤 位



tung4 coeng4 dak6 bei6 “daan6 daan6 tiu3” kap6 gok3-zung2 taan1-wai2 same round special present “daan6-daan6-jump” and other booth



遊 戲 以 供 一 家 大 細 共



同



jau4-hei3 ji5-gung1 jat- gaa1-daai6-sai3 gung6-tung6 game for the-whole-family together



玩 樂



wun6-lok6 play



“There was a jumping game for children to play and other games for the family to enjoy.”



78 79 80 81



from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004) from Apple Daily (28/9/2004) from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004) from Apple Daily (30/9/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



41



25.



dik6 dik6 zai2 (滴 滴滴仔), 滴仔 a way of playing table tennis



我



打



乒 乓



波



最



鐘 意 打



滴 滴 仔







, ngo5 daa1 ping1-pong1-bo1, zeoi3 zung1-ji3 daa1 dik6-dik6-zai2 gaa3 1.SG hit table tennis , most love hit dik6-dik6-zai2 PART “I like to play with dik6-dik6-zai2 style when I play table tennis.” 26.



diu4 diu2 fing6 (吊吊 吊吊□), hanging loosely (about to fall down)



條



係 吊 吊



繩



綁



返



實



佢



啦



□, tiu4 sing4 hai6 dou3 diu4 diu2 fing6, bong2 faan2 sat6 keoi5 laa1 CL rope be dou6 hang-hang-fing6, tie back tight 3.SG PART “The rope is hanging loosely. Fasten it.”



27.



gwaa1 gwaa1 giu3(呱呱叫 呱呱叫) 呱呱叫 82, shouting / yelling / talking loudly



海 話 更 是呱



上



呱 叫



soeng6-hoi2 waa2 gang3 si6 gwaa1 gwaa1 giu3 Shanghai dialect INTENS is gwaa1-gwaa1-giu3 “(S/he) spoke with fluent Shanghai dialect.”



28.



29.



gwaai1 gwaai1 dei2 (乖乖地 乖乖地), 乖乖地 well-behaved-like



乖



你 要



乖



地 做 晒  功 課呀



nei5 jiu3 gwaai1 gwaai1 dei2 zou6 saai3 2.SG ought well-behaved-well-behaved-dei2 do finish “You should be good and finish all of your homework.”



di1 gung1-fo3 aa1 all homework



gwaai3 gwaai2 dei2 (怪怪地 怪怪地), 怪怪地 strange



地 咁 ？ 佢 傷



佢



把



聲



好



似



怪



怪



風 呀？



keoi5 baa2 seng1 hou2 ci5 gwaai3 gwaai2 dei2 gam3 ge2 keoi5 soeng1-fung1 aa4? 3.SG CL voice INTENS seem strange-strange-dei2 -like PART 3.SG cold PART “His/her voice sounds strange. Is s/he having a cold?” 30.



haa1 haa1 siu3 (哈哈笑 哈哈笑) 笑哈哈), 哈哈笑 / siu3 haa1 haa1 (笑哈哈 笑哈哈 laughing



佢



成



哈



日



哈



笑, 一 啲 都 唔



正



經



呀



keoi5 seng4 jat6 haa1 haa1 siu3, jat1 di1 dou1 m zing3-ging1 aa1 3.SG whole day haa1-haa1-laugh, one little dou1 NEG serious PART “S/he is laughing all the time. S/he doesn”t look serious.”



31.



haam4 haam2 dei2 (鹹鹹地 鹹鹹地), 鹹鹹地 a bit/ too salty



點



鹹 鹹 地 咁 難



解 啲 水



飲 ？



dim2-gaai2 di1 seoi2 haam3 haam2 dei2 gam3 naan4 jam2 ge2? why CL water salty-salty-dei2, this difficult drink PART “Why does the water taste salty? It doesn”t taste good at all.” 32.



laa2 laa2 dei2 ( 地), girly-like (to describe male)



佢



個 人











地 咁



好



恐



怖



, keoi5 go3 jan4 laa2 laa2 dei2 gam3, hou2 hung2-bou3 3.SG CL person feminine-feminine-dei2 gam3, INTENS horrible “He behaves girly-like. That”s so horrible.”



82



from Ming Pao (4/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



42



33.



laa4 laa2 seng1 ( 聲) / baang4 baang2 seng1 (蹦蹦聲 蹦蹦聲), 蹦蹦聲 to hurry up, quickly   ,



聲 做 完 啲  然後



你







我



房



見 我 呀



nei5 laa4 laa2 seng1 zou6 jyun4 di1 je5 jin4 hau6 jap6 lei4 ngo5 fong2 gin3 ngo5 aa3 2.SG laa4-laa2-seng1 do finish CL thing, then enter come 1.SG room see 1.SG PART “Finish your work as soon as possible and come to see me in my office.”



34.



laap3 laap3 ling3 (蠟蠟拎 蠟蠟拎) 拎蠟蠟), 蠟蠟拎 / ling3 laap3 laap3 (拎蠟蠟 拎蠟蠟 shiny



個



地 板 蠟 蠟 拎



好



靚



呀



, go3 dei6 baan2 laap3 laap3 ling3 hou2 leng3 aa3 CL floor laap3-laap3-ling3, INTENS beautiful PART “The floor is so shiny. It looks great.”



35.



lo1 lo1 lyun1 (囉囉攣 囉囉攣), 囉囉攣 being disturbed, being worried, feeling uneasy



聽日



佢



囉 囉 攣 呀



會 去 面 試 所以 個 心



, ting1 jat6 keoi5 wui5 heoi3 min6 si5 so2-ji5 go3 sam1 lo1 lo1 lyun1 aa3 tomorrow 3.SG will go face test, so CL heart lo1-lo1-lyun1 PART “S/he will attend an interview tomorrow, so she is feeling very worried.”



36.



lung4 lung2/4 dei2 (聾聾地 聾聾地), 聾聾地 a bit deaf



你



講



大



聲



, 佢



聾



聾



地 



nei5 gong2 daai6 seng1, di1 keoi5 lung4 lung2 dei2 2.SG speak big sound little, 3.SG deaf-deaf-dei2 PART “You have to speak louder. S/he is a bit deaf.”



37.



gaa3



maa4 maa2 dei2 (麻麻地 麻麻地), 麻麻地 not bad, not so good, so so, okay…etc.



我 覺 得 呢 個 蛋 糕 麻 麻 地 好 食 唧， 上



次 個好 好 多



ngo5 gok3 dak1 ni1 go3 daan6 gou1 maa4 maa2 dei2 hou2 sik6 zek1 soeng6 ci3 go2 go3 hou2 hou2 do1 1.SG feel dak1 this CL egg cake maa4 maa2 dei2 good eat PART up time that CL good good many “This cake doesn”t taste good. The one I ate last time was far better.” 38.



mun6 mun2/6 dei2 (悶悶地 悶悶地), 悶悶地 feeling a bit bored



通



常 我



悶 悶 地



嘅



tung1-soeng4, ngo5 mun6 mun2 dei2 ge3 usually, 1.SG bored-bored-dei2 PART “I usually read books when I feel bored.” 39.



時 候 就 會 睇



書



囉



si4-hau6 zau6 wui5 tai2 syu1 lo1 time zau6 will read book PART



ngai2 ngai2 dei2 (矮矮地 矮矮地), 矮矮地 a bit short



呢，矮 矮 地  個 咪 係 我 細 佬 囉



le2…ngai2 ngai2 dei2 go2 go3 mai4 hai6 ngo5 sai3-lou2 lo1 INTJ. short-short-dei2 that CL PART be 1.SG brother PART “See that short guy there? That”s my brother.”



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



43



40.



pe1 pe1 fu1(啤啤夫 啤啤夫) 啤啤夫 83, swaying



近 排 嘅 新 聞 女 王 李 麗 珍 亦有 出



席,



gan2-paai4 ge3 san1-man4 neoi5 wong4 lei5-lai6-zan1 jik6 jau5 coet1-zik6, recently ge3 news female king Lei-lai-zan also have show-up,



重



飲 到 啤 啤 夫先 走



zung6 jam2 dou3 pe1 pe1 fu1 sin1 zau2 even drink dou3 pe1-pe1-fu1 then leave “The recent queen of gossip, Lei-lai-zan, also showed up. She was drunk when she left.”



41.



pung3 pung3 ce1 (碰碰車 碰碰車) 碰碰車 84, collision car



佢 喺 正 日 個



晚



去 BBQ, 順 便 玩 碰 碰 車



keoi5 hai2 zing3-jat6-go3-maan5 heoi3 BBQ, seon6-bin6 wun6 pung3 pung3 ce1 3.SG at particular-night go BBQ, also play collide-collide-car “S/he went BBQ and played collison car.”



42.



saa4 saa4 gwan2 (灑灑滾 灑灑滾), 灑灑滾 somebody not being stable



佢



個 人



灑 灑 滾



咁 唔



好



信



佢



呀



, keoi5 go3 jan4 saa4 saa4 gwan2 gam2, m4 hou2 seon3 keoi5 aa1 3.SG CL person saa4 saa4 gwan2 gam2, NEG good believe 3.SG PART “S/he is not reliable. Don”t trust him/her.”



43.



saa4 saa4 gwan2 (沙沙 沙沙滚 沙沙滚)85, to date with many people, especially the opposite sex



唔 知 成 日 沙 沙 滚 嘅 Robbie, 呢 鋪 會 唔 會 定 性



m4 zi1 sing4-jat6 saa4 saa4 gwan2 ge3 Robbie, nei1 pou1 wui6 m4 wui6 ding6-sing3 NEG know always sand-sand-gwan2 ge3 Robbie, this time will NEG will settle-down “It is hard to predict whether Robbie will settle down because he used to date with many different girls.”



44.



sei2 sei2 haa5/2 (死死下 死死下), 死死下 Exhausted











打 完



籃 球 成



個 人



都 



死 死 下 咁



到



, ngaam4-ngaam4 daa1 jyun4 laam4-kau4, seng4 go3 jan4 dou1 gui2 dou3 sei2 sei2 haa5 gam2 just hit finish basketball, whole CL person dou1 tired dou3 die-die-haa5 gam2 “I just finished playing basketball. I”m completely exhausted.” 45.



siu3 siu3 hau2(笑笑口 笑笑口) 笑笑口 86, laughing



周 永



恆



燈



即



得 悉



zau1-wing5-hang4 dak1 sik1 Zau-wing-hang know



後



阿 有 意 約 他



賞



花



Yu aa3 Yu jau5 ji3 joek3 taa1 soeng2 faa1 ah Yu have idea ask 3. SG appreciate flower



笑 笑 口 說



約 咪 去



囉



: … dang1 hau6 zik1 siu3 siu3 hau2 syut3: joek3 mai4 heoi3 lo1… lamp after immediately laugh-laugh-mouth say: ask PART go PART “When Zau-Wing-Hang was told that Yu might ask him out to see lanterns, he smiled and said he would go if she asked.”



83 84 85 86



from Apple Daily (8/10/2004:C8) from Apple Daily (18/10/2004) from Apple Daily (18/10/2004) from Apple Daily (28/9/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



44



46.



so4 so2 dei2 (傻傻地 傻傻地), 傻傻地 silly-like



佢



成 日 話 自己 係 皇



帝， 所 以 個 個 都 話 佢 傻 傻 地 囉！



keoi5 seng4 jat6 waa6 zi6-gei2 hai6 wong4-dai3, so2-ji5 go3-go3 dou1 waa6 keoi5 so4-so2-dei2 lo1 3.SG whole day say self be king so everyone dou1 say 3.SG silly-silly-like PART “S/he always claims that s/he is the king, so people think that he is a bit crazy.” 47.



syut4 syut4 seng1 ( 雪 雪聲 雪聲)87, noise made when somebody eats



怪



不 得 一 向



怕 食 生



蛋 的 我 都 吃到 雪 雪



聲



gwaai3 bat1 dak1 jat1-hoeng3 paa3 sik6 sang1 gai1 daan2 dik1 ngo5 dou1 hek3 dou3 syut3 syut3 seng1 strange NEG dak1 always afraid eat uncooked chicken egg dik1 1.SG dou1 eat dou3 syut3-syut3-seng1 “No wonder I still find them delicious, even though I usually hate raw eggs.” 48.



tiu3 tiu3 zaat3 (跳跳紮 跳跳紮) 跳跳紮 88, jumping around



換



來 是一 位 跳 跳 紮 的六 歲 男



童



wun6-loi4 si6 jat1 wai2 tiu3 tiu3 zaat3 dik1 luk6 seoi3 naam4 tung4 exchange is one CL jump-jump-zaat3 dik1 six year male child “A six-year-old boy, who liked to jump everywhere, was employed instead.” 49.



zaa4 zaa4 lam4 (咋咋臨 咋咋臨), 咋咋臨 to hurry up



咋 咋 臨



你



做 完



啲 功



課



然 後



即 刻



去



溫



書



, nei5 zaa4 zaa4 lam4 zou6 jyun4 di1 gung1 fo3 jin4-hau6 zik1-haak1 heoi3 wan1 syu1 2.SG zaa4-zaa4-lam4 do finish CL homework, then immediately go revise books “You should finish your homework as soon as possible and then do some revision immediately afterwards.” 50.



zi1 zi1 seng1(吱吱聲 吱吱聲) 吱吱聲 89, creaking sound



門



鉸 生



銹 吱吱 聲



mun4-gaau3 sang1-sau3 zi1 zi1 seng1 door hinge grow rust zi1-zi1-seng1 “There is a creaking sound coming from the rusted door hinge.” 51.



zi4 zi4 zam4 (吱吱 吱吱 尋)90, whispering / talking



兩



個 人



不



時 匿 埋 一 邊 吱 吱 o尋



leong5 go3 jan4 bat1-si4 lik1-maai4 jat1 bin1 zi4 zi4 zam4 two CL people always hide one CL zi4-zi4-zam4 “These two people always hide somewhere and whisper to each other.”



5. ABB 52.



baak6 syut1 syut1 (白雪雪 白雪雪), 白雪雪 white



個 女



仔 塊 面



白 雪 雪



好



, go3 neoi5 zai2 faai3 min6 baak6 syut1 syut1 hou2 CL girl little CL face white-snow-snow, INTENS “The skin of her face is very fair. She looks beautiful.”



87 88 89 90



靚



呀



leng3 aa3 pretty PART



from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004) from Apple Daily (12/10/2004) from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004) from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



45



53.



□□), flat 扁 □ □ ,乜



bin2 tet4 tet4 (扁 扁



個 書 包



都



無



呀



go3 syu1 baau1 bin2 tet4 tet4 mat1 dou1 mou5 aa3 CL book bag flat-tet4-tet4, thing dou1 not-have PART “The school bag is flat (empty). There is nothing inside.” 54.



bok6 cit1 cit (薄 薄切切), 切切 very thin (non-human)



件 衫 薄 切 切 ...唔



暖 嘅



gin6 saam1 bok6 cit1 cit1 m4 nyun5 ge2 CL clothes thin-cit1-cit1, NEG warm PART “This (any kind of clothing for the upper-half of the body) is too thin. It can”t keep us warm.”



55.



caau4 mang3 mang3 (皺 ), wrinkled, creased (neg.)



件 衫



皺



  好



肉



酸



gin6 saam1 caau4 mang3 mang3 hou2 juk6 -syun1 CL clothes wrinkle-mang3-mang3, INTENS ugly “The shirt has creases on it. It doesn”t look good.”



56.



cai4 cap1 cap1 (齊 齊葺葺), 葺葺 neat, trimmed











剪 完 草



個 草 地



呀



aa PART



齊 葺 葺咁



好



靚



呀



, , aam1-aam1 zin2 jyun4 cou2 go3 cou2 dei6 cai4 cap1 cap1 gam2 hou2 leng3 aa3 just cut finish grass, CL grass ground neat-cap1-cap1 gam2 , INTENS beautiful PART “I have just mowed the lawn. It looks neat and nice now.”



57.



cau4 bang1 bang1 (臭崩崩 臭崩崩), 臭崩崩 stinky



個



洗



手



間



臭 崩 崩 咁, 搵 人 洗 洗 啦



go3 sai2 sau2 gaan1 cau3 bang1 bang1 gam2 wan2 jan4 sai2 sai2 laa1 CL wash hand room stink-bang1-bang1 gam2, call person wash wash PART “The washroom is somewhat stinky. Get somebody to clean it.” 58.



ceng1 bi1 bi1 (青 青咇咇), 咇咇 green



咦！ 對



鞋



青 咇咇 咁， 好



肉



ji2 deoi3 haai4 ceng1 bi1 bi1 gam2…hou2 juk6 INTJ pair shoe green-bi1-bi1 gam2…INTENS meat “Oh! No! This pair of shoes is so greenish. I don”t like it.”



59.



酸



呀！



syun1 aa3 sour PART



ceoi3 bok1 bok1 (脆卜卜 脆卜卜) 脆卜卜 91, crispy



天 婦 羅 碎 即 刻



食 時 脆 卜 卜



tin1-fu5-lo4 seoi3 zik1-hak1 sik6 si4 ceoi3 bok1 bok1 tempura crisps immediately eat time crispy-bok1-bok1 “If the tempura crisps are eaten immediately, they will still be crispy.”



60.



coeng4 laai4 laai4 (長癩癩 長癩癩), 長癩癩 long



件



外



套



長 癩 癩



完 全



唔



 身



, gin6 ngoi6 tou3 coeng4 laai4 laai4 jyun4-cyun4 m4 aam1 san1 CL outer cover long-laai4-laai4, completely NEG fit body “The jacket is too long. It doesn”t fit at all.”



91



from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



46



61.



daai6 laa4 laa4 (大 大), a little bit



嘩!



大  成 萬



蚊



我 邊



有 咁 多 錢



呀



? waa3! daai6 laa4 laa4 seng4 maan6 man1... ngo5 bin1 jau5 gam3 do1 cin2 aa3? INTJ big-laa4-laa4 whole ten-thousand dollar 1.SG where have so many money PART “Wow! Where do I get so much money? It”s ten thousand dollars!”



62.



dung3 bing1 bing1 (凍冰冰 凍冰冰), 凍冰冰 state of very cold (ice-like)



點 解 你 隻 手 凍 冰 冰 ？ 係 咪 唔 舒 服



呀？



dim2-gaai2 nei5 zek3 sau2 dung3 bing1 bing1 ge2? hai6 mai6 m4 syu1 fuk6 aa3? Why 2.SG CL hand cold-ice-ice PART be not-be NEG comfortable PART “Why are your hands so cold? Are you not feeling feel?”



63.



fei4 tan4 tan4 (肥 肥揗揗) 揗揗 , (very) fat / fattish



個 人



肥 揗 揗 都 仲 食 咁 多



 ？！



go2 go3 jan2 fei4 tan4 tan4 dou1 zung6 sik6 gam3 do1 je5 ge2 that CL person fat-tan4-tan4 dou1 still eat that many thing PART “That person is already so fat. How come s/he still eats so much?” 64.



fei4 dyut1 dyut1 (肥 肥), somewhat fat / fattish



個 小 朋 友 肥 



好 得 意 呀



, go3 siu2 pang4 jau4 fei4 dyut1 dyut1 hou2 dak1 ji3 aa3 CL little friend fat-dyut1-dyut1, INTENS cute PART “The little kid is somewhat fat. S/he looks very cute.”



65.



goek3 ngan3 ngan3 (腳 腳韌韌) 韌韌腳 韌韌 / ngan3 ngan3 goek3 (韌韌 韌韌腳), leg/feet moving, shaking



唔



腳 韌 韌 啦



好



, m4 hou2 goek3 ngan3 ngan3 laa1, NEG good leg-shake-shake PART, “Stop shaking your legs. It is impolite.” 66.



無



mou4 without



gon1 zang1 zang1 (乾爭爭 乾爭爭), 乾爭爭 dry



啲 麵 包 乾 爭 爭, 好



gu1 ling1 ling1 (孤零零 孤零零), 孤零零 lonely



個 女 仔 孤 零 零



咁







難 食 呀



di1 min6-baau1 gon1 zang1 zang1 hou2 CL bread dry-zang1-zang1, INTENS “The bread is so dry. It doesn”t taste good.”



67.



禮 貌



lai5-maau6 gaa3 courtesy PART



naan4 sik6 aa3 hard eat PART



無



人



照



顧 好



, , go3 neoi5 zai2 gu1 ling1 ling1 gam3 mou5 jan4 ziu3-gu3 CL girl little lonely-ling1-ling1 gam3, not-have person care “The girl is orphaned and nobody takes care of her. What a pity!” 68.



gui6 laai4 laai4 ( 癩癩), 癩癩 getting tired











打



完



籃



球



成



可 憐 呀



hou2 ho2-lin4 aa3 INTENS pitiful PART



個 人 都  癩 癩



, ngaam1-ngaam1 daa2 jyun4 laam4-kau4, seng4 go3 jan4 dou1 gui6 laai4 laai4 sometimes-ago hit finish basketball, whole CL person dou1 tired-laai4-laai4 “I just finished playing basketball and I”m feeling very tired.”



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



47



69.



gwong1 caang4 caang4 (光 光撐撐) 撐撐 , (very) bright



間



咁 光 撐



房



撐



唔 該 熄 



盞 燈



啦



, gaan1 fong4 gam3 gwong1 caang4 caang4, m4-goi1 sik1 zo2 zaan2 dang1 laa1 CL room so bright-caang4-caang4, please switch-off PERF CL light PART “The room is too bright. Please switch off the light.” 70.



gwong1 tyut1 tyut1 (光脫脫 光脫脫), 光脫脫 bald



佢 咁



咁 後 生 就 甩 晒  頭 髮， 搞 到 個 頭 依 家 光 脫 脫



keoi5 gam3 hau6-sang1 zau6 lat1 saai3 di1 tau4 faat3, gaau2 dou3 go3 tau4 ji1-gaa1 gwong1 tyutt tyut1 gam2 3.SG so young zau6 lose all CL head hair, make dou3 CL head now bright/empty-tyut1-tyut1 gam2 “He has lost his hair and become bald at this young age.”



71.



haai4 saap6 saap6 (諧霎霎 諧霎霎), 諧霎霎 rough



佢



皮 膚 諧 霎 霎



啲



梗 係 平時好少護膚！



Keoi5 di1 pei4 fu1 haai4 saap6 saap6 gang2 hai6 ping4 si4 hou2 siu2 wu6 fu1 gaa3 laak3 3.SG POSS skin rough-saap6-saap6, definite be flat time INTENS little protect skin PART PART “His/her skin is so rough. I bet s/he seldom takes care of it.” 72.



hak1 maa1 maa1 (黑媽媽 黑媽媽)/hak1 mang1 mang1 (黑 黑盟盟)/ 盟盟 hak1 mi1 maa1 (黑咪媽 黑咪媽) 黑媽媽 黑咪媽 (very) dark



間



房 咁



黑 媽 媽, 唔 該



開



晒



所 有 燈



gaan1 fong4 gam3 hak1 maa1 maa1,m4-goi1 hoi1 saai3 so2-jau5 CL room gam3 black-maa1-maa1, please switch-on saai3 all “The room is so dark. Please switch on all the lights. 73.



dang1 laa1 light PART



hau2 maak3 maak3 (口 口擘擘), 擘擘 mouth opening (when one being surprised/shocked)



佢



俾 隻 狗 嚇



口 擘 擘



到



keoi5 bei2 zek3 gau2 haak3 dou3 hau2 maak3 maak3 3.SG bei2 CL dog scare dou3 mouth-open-open “S/he is scared off by the dog and can”t say anything.”



74.



啦



出 唔 到



ceot1 m4 dou2 seng1 out NEG dou2 sound



hau2 zat6 zat6 (口 口窒窒), 窒窒 halting, being hesitant and uncertain



佢



講







口



窒 窒



咁



聲



一 定  度



講







大 話



, keoi5 gong2 je5 hau2 zat6 zat6 gam2, jat1-deng6 hai6 dou3 gong2 gan2 daai6-waa6 3.SG talk thing mouth obstruct obstruct gam2 must be dou6 talk PROG lie “S/he is speaking hesitantly. I think h/she must be telling lies.” 75.



hei3 cyun2 cyun2 (氣 氣喘喘) 喘喘 92, breathless



每 次 出 場 都



氣 喘



喘



Rosemary Rosemary mui5-ci3 ceot1 coeng4 dou1 hei3 cyun2 cyun2 Rosemary every time appear show dou1 air-cyun2-cyun2 “Every time when Rosemary appears, she is breathless.”



92



from Apple Daily (18/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



48



76.



hei3 gu2 gu2 (氣鼓鼓 氣鼓鼓) 氣鼓鼓 93, to be angry



連 他 們 氣 鼓 鼓的神



情 都 一 模 一



樣



lin4 taa1-mun4 hei3 gu2 gu2 dik1 san4-cing4 dou1 jat1-mou4-jat1-joeng6 still 3.PL gas-gu2-gu dik1 expression dou1 same “They looked so much alike even when they got angry.”



77.



heng1 piu1 piu1 (輕飄飄 輕飄飄), 輕飄飄 light



張 紙 輕 飄 飄 因住佢俾風吹走啊



, zoeng1 zi2 heng1-piu1-piu1 jan1 zyu6 keoi5 bei2 fung1 ceoi1 zau2 aa3 CL paper light-flow-flow be-careful 3.SG bei2 wind blow leave PART “This piece of paper is so light. Make sure that it won”t be blowed away by the breeze.” 78.



hing4 hap6 hap6 ( 烚烚), 烚烚 hot



出 面 熱 到  烚 烚, 我 都 唔 想 出 街 呀



ceot1 min6 jit6 dou3 hing3 hap6 hap6, ngo5 dou1 m4 soeng2 ceot1 gaai1 aa3 outside hot dou3 hot-hap6-hap6 , 1.SG dou1 NEG want exit street PART “It”s so hot out there. I don”t want to go out.” 79.



hoeng1 pan3 pan3 (香噴噴 香噴噴), 香噴噴 fragrant, good smell of food



啲 麵包



香



噴 噴, 一 定 好 好 食 



di1 min6-baau1 hoeng1 pan3 pan3 jat1-ding6 hou2 hou2 sik6 CL bread fragrant-spray-spray must good good eat “The bread smells so good. It must be very delicious.” 80.



hong4 dong1 dong3 (紅噹噹 紅噹噹), 紅噹噹 red



件 外 套 紅 噹 噹,



好



搶 眼



呀



gin6 ngoi6 tou3 hung4 dong1 dong3 hou2 coeng2 ngaan5 aa3 CL outer cover red-dong1-dong3, INTENS rob eye PART “The jacket is red, which is very eye-catching.” 81.



hung1 lel1 lel1 (空寥寥 空寥寥) 空框框), 空寥寥 / hung1 kwaang1 kwaang1 (空框框 空框框 spacious / empty



而 家間 屋 空 寥 寥 好



耐



冇



人 住







喇



ji1-gaa1 gaan1 uk1 hung1-lel1-lel1 hou2 loi6 mou5 jan4 zyu6 gaa3 laa3 now CL house empty-lel1-lel1 INTENS long-time not-have person live PART PART “The house is empty and nobody lives there now.”



82.



hung4 tung4 tung4 (紅彤彤 紅彤彤) 紅彤彤 94, red



其 餘 全 都 露 出



紅 彤 彤 的 座 室 墊



kei4-jyu4 cyun4 dou1 lou6 coet1 hung4 tung4 tung4 dik1 zo6 sat1 zin3 other all same expose out red-red-red dik1 seat room pat “Other (rooms) had red sitting mats.”



93 94



from Apple Daily (10/10/2004) from Ming Pao (28/9/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



49



83.



hyut3 lam4 lam4(血淋淋 血淋淋) 血淋淋 95, bloody



美 國



在 越



一 個



活 生 生. 血 淋 淋 的 例 子



mei5-gwok3 zoi6 America in



南 的



有



限 度 戰 爭 就 是



“ ” jyut6-naam4 dik1 “jau5 haan6-dou6 zin3 zang1 zau6 si6 Vietnam POSS “have limit war fight just be



jat1 go3 wut6 sang1 sang1. hyut3 lam4 lam4 dik1 lai6-zi2 one CL live birth birth. blood-soak-soak dik1 example “The war between America and Vietnam is one of the vivid and bloody examples.” 84.



jat1 geoi3 geoi3(一句句 一句句) 一句句 96, repeatedly (weeping)



生 都 喊 得 一 句 句



孔 夫 子 翻



hung2-fu1-zi2 faan1-sang1 dou1 haam3 dak1 jat1 geoi3 geoi3 Hung-zi reborn dou1 cry dak1 one-sentence-sentence “Even if Hung-zi were reborn, he would still have no solution (to the problem).” 85.



jit6 laat6/1 laat6/1 (熱 熱辣辣), 辣辣 state of very hot



碗 湯 仲 熱 辣 辣 ， 快  飲  佢 啦



wun2 tong1 zung6 jit6 laat6 laat6 gaa3 faai3 di1 jam2 zo2 keoi5 laa1 CL soup still hot-laat6-laat6 PART, fast little drink PERF 3.SG PART “The soup is still hot. Take it as soon as possible.”



86.



jyun5 laai4 laai4 (軟癩癩 軟癩癩), 軟癩癩 To describe one”s body getting “soft” (i.e. tired, not feeling well)



佢



覺 得 好



唔



舒 服 周 身 軟 癩 癩



, keoi5 gok3 dak1 hou2 m4 syu1-fuk6 zau1 san1 jyun5-laai4-laai4 3.SG feel dak1 INTENS NEG comfortable, all body soft-laai4-laai4 “S/he is feeling very sick and tired/weak.”



87.



jyun5 lam4 lam4 (軟淰淰 軟淰淰), 軟淰淰 soft-ish



個 公 仔 軟 淰 淰 好



似 棉 花 糖



咁



go3 gung1-zai2 jyun5-lam4-lam4 hou2 ci5 min4-faa- tong2 gam2 CL soft-toy soft-lam4-lam4 INTENS like mashmallow gam2 “This toy is as soft as mashmallow.” 88.



laan6 jung4 jung4 (爛熔熔 爛熔熔), 爛熔熔 Worn out, rotten



嘩！ 間 屋



爛 熔 熔， 點 住 呀？！！



waa3! gaan1 uk1 laan6 jung4 jung4 dim2 zyu6 aa3 INTJ. CL house worn-out-jung4-jung4 how live PART “Oh! The house is so old and worn-out. How can one live there?”



89.



lap6 ci1 ci1 ( 黐黐), 黐黐 sticky



點 解 隻 杯 仲 係 黐黐 ？ 梗係你未洗乾淨啦



dim2-gaai2 zek3 bui1 zung6 hai6 lap6 ci1 ci1 ge2? gang2 hai6 nei5 mei6 sai2 gon1-zeng6 laa1 why CL cup still be sticky-ci1ci1 PART definite be 2.SG not-yet wash clean PART “Why is the cup still a bit sticky? I”m sure you didn”t wash it well.”



95 96



from Ming Pao (28/9/2004) from Ming Pao (5/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



50



90.



lou5 nget4 nget4 (老 老



佢



已 經 老



), old



啦



仲 扮



後 生



, keoi5 ji5-ging1 lou5 nget4 nget4 laa3, zung6 baan6 hau6-saang1 3.SG already old-nget4-nget4 PART, still pretend young “S/he is already very old. But she still dresses like a young man/woman.”



91.



lyun6 zou1 zou1 (亂糟糟 亂糟糟), 亂糟糟 messy



佢



間 房 亂 糟 糟 咁



叫 佢 



下  啦



, keoi5 gaan1 fong2 lyun6 zou1 zou1 gam2 giu3 keoi5 zap1 haa5 je5 laa1 3.SG CL room, mess-untidy-untidy gam2, ask 3.SG tidy-up haa5 thing PART “His/her room is messy and untidy. Ask her to tidy things up.” 92.



mat6 zat1 zat1 (密質質 密質質)/ 密麻麻), 密質質 mat6 maa4 maa4 (密麻麻 密麻麻 dense







已 經 擺 到 密 質 質 啦



放 唔



落 張



枱 喇



, di1 je5 ji5-ging1 baai1 dou3 mat6 zat1 zat1 gaa3 laa1 fong3 m4 lok6 zoeng1 toi2 laa3 CL thing already place dou3 dense-zat1-zat1 PART PART, put NEG down CL table PART “There are already too many things in this place and there is no room for this table.”



93.



maan6 tan1 tan1 (慢吞吞 慢吞吞), 慢吞吞 slow



佢



做 事 慢



吞



吞, 完 全



無



效



率



keoi5 zou6 si6 maan6 tan1 tan1, jyun4-cyun4 mou4 haau6-leot6 3.SG do work slow -tan1-tan1, completely not-have efficiency “S/he does things slowly; s/he is completely inefficient.”



94.



min6 ceng1 ceng1 (面青青 面青青), 面青青 pale



佢



面 青 青 咁



一 定 係 唔



, keoi5 min6 ceng1 ceng1 gam2 jat1- ding6 3.SG face-green green gam3, must “S/he looks so pale. S/he must be sick.” 95.







gaa3 PART



舒 服 啦



hai6 m4 syu1-fuk6 laa3 be NEG well PART



mou4 dyun1 dyun1 (無端端 無端端) 無端端 97, without any reason



我 自 己 無 端 端 同 個 男 仔 朋 友 出



街



ngo5 zi6-gei2 mou4 dyun1 dyun1 tung4 go3 naam4 zai2 pang4-jau5 ceot1 gaai1 1. SG myself no-dyun1-dyun1 with CL boy little friend out street “I went out with a male friend with no reason.”



96.



mou4 sang4 sang4 (毛狌狌 毛狌狌), 毛狌狌 hairy, furry



咦 我 最 怕 見 到  毛 狌 狌  







喇



, ji2.. ngo5 zeoi3 paa3 gin3 dou2 di1 mou4 sang4 sang4 ge3 je5 gaa3 laa3 INTJ. 1.SG most afraid see dou2 CL hair sang4 sang4 PART thing PART PART “Oh! I don”t like seeing hairy things.” 97.



mung2 bai3 bai3 (懞閉閉 懞閉閉) 懞盛盛), 懞閉閉 / mung2 sing6 sing6 (懞盛盛 懞盛盛 being silly / absent-minded



個 男



仔 蒙 閉 閉 咁,



go3 naam4 zai2 mung2 bai3 bai3 gam2, CL boy little mung2-bai3-bai3 gam2, “The boy is absent-minded and gullible.”



97



好



hou2 INTENS



易 俾



人



厄 



ji6 bei2 jan4 ak1 gaa3 easy bei2 person cheat PART



from Apple Daily (27/9/2004:C12)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



51



98.



mung4 caa4 caa4 (蒙查查 蒙查查), 蒙查查 blurred



蒙 查 查 喇



個 窗



快 啲 抹 一 抹 啦



, go3 coeng1 mung4 caa4 caa4 laa3, CL window blurred-caa4-caa4 PART, “The window is not clear. Wipe it.”



99.



faai3 di1 maat3 jat1 maat3 laa1 fast di1 wipe one wipe PART



nau1 baau3 baau3 (嬲爆爆 嬲爆爆), 嬲爆爆 angry



佢



日 都 嬲 爆



今日 成



爆 咁 唔 知 邊個 激



親 佢 呢？



, Keoi5 gam1 jat6 seng4 jat6 dou1 nau1 baau3 baau3 gam2 m4 zi1 bin1-go3 gik1 can1 keoi5 ne1 3.SG today whole day also angry-explode-explode gam3, NEG know who provoke can1 3.SG PART “S/he has been upset for the whole day. Who provoked him/her again?” 100.



nauu6 hung6 hung6 (鬧哄哄 鬧哄哄) 鬧哄哄 98, crowded



接



機 大 堂 裏 就 這 麼 鬧 哄



哄 人 來 人 往



, zip3-gei1-daai6-tong4 leoi5, zau6 ze2-mo1 nauu6 hung6 hung6 jan4-loi4-jan4-wong5 Arrivals-Hall inside, INTENS that scold-hung6-hung6 many people “There were many people in the Arrivals Hall.” 101.



ngaan5 daai6 daai6 (眼大大 眼大大), 眼大大 with big eyes



個 男



眼 大 大 咁



仔



好



得 意 呀



, go3 naam4 zai2 ngaan5 daai6 daai6 gam2 hou2 dak1-ji3 aa3 CL male little eye-big-big gam2, INTENS cute PART “The boy has a pair of big eyes. He is so cute.” 102.



ngaan5 gwat6 gwat6 (眼掘掘 眼掘掘) 眼超超) 啤啤供), 眼掘掘 / ngaan5 ciu1 ciu1 (眼超超 眼超超 / be1 be1 gung4 (啤啤供 啤啤供 the act of staring



做



咩



眼 掘 掘



呀？



zung6 mat1 je5 ngaan5 gwat6 gwat6 aa1 Do what eye stare stare PART “Why are you staring at me?” (being provocative) 103.



ngaan5 sap1 sap1 (眼濕濕 眼濕濕) 眼濕濕 99, starting to cry



當



面 道 歉



時



霆鋒



更



眼



濕 濕



dong1-min6 dou6 hip3 si4 ting4-fung1 gang3 ngaan5 sap1 sap1 face-to-face say sorry when ting4-fung1 INTENS eye-wet-wet “Ting-fung was almost weeping when he apologized (to Mr. Wong) face-to-face.”



104.



ngaan5 zaam2 zaam2 (眼斬斬 眼斬斬), 眼斬斬 blinking eyes



你



睇 下



個



仔



眼



斬 斬



幾



BB nei5 tai2 haa5 go3 bi4 bi1 zai2 ngaan5 zaam2 zaam2, gei2 2.SG look haa5 CL baby little eye blink blink, INTENS “Look. The baby is blinking its eyes. See, how cute it is.”



105.



－



ngaang6 baang1 baang1 (硬繃繃 硬繃繃), 硬繃繃 being stubborn



佢



份 人



做 



硬



得意



dak1-ji3 cute



繃 繃 成 日 都 唔 聽



人



講 



keoi5 fan6 jan4 zou6 je5 ngaang6 baang1 baang1 seng4 jat6 dou1 m4 teng1 jan4 gong2 ge2 3.SG CL person do thing hard-baang1-baang1 whole day dou1 NEG listen person say PART “S/he is very stubborn and never listens to people.”



98 99



from Apple Daily (27/9/2004) from Apple Daily (27/9/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



52



106.



ngai2 dat1 dat1 (矮葖葖 矮葖葖), 矮葖葖 very short



矮 葖 葖 



？  個



男



人 就 係 齣 新 戲  主 角 喇？



haa1?go1 go3 ngai2 dat1 dat1 ge3 naam4 jan2 zau6 hai6 ceot1 san1 hei3 ge3 zyu2 gok3 laa4? INTJ. that CL short-dat1-dat1 PART male person zau6 be CL new movie POSS major role PART “What? That short guy is the leading actor of that new movie?”



107.



ngong6 geoi1 geoi1 (戇居居 居居), 居居 Being at a loss to know what to do, dumb



個 男



仔



個



戇 居 居



樣



咁 所 以 無 女 仔 鐘 意



, go3 naam3 zai2 go3 joeng2 ngong6-geoi1-geoi1 gam2 so2-ji5 mou5 neoi5 zai2 zung1-ji3 CL boy little CL appearance silly-geoi1-geoi1 gam2, so not-have girl little like “The boy looks dull and stupid, so no girls like him.” 108.



saan2 sau1 sau1 (散修修 散修修), 散修修 loose



散 修 修 咁



啲 紙



快



啲



 返



好 佢



囉



lo1 PART



啦



, di1 zi2 saan2 sau1 sau1 gam2 faai3 di1 zap1 faan1 hou2 keoi5 laa1 CL papers loose-sau1-sau1 gam3, fast little tidy back good 3.PL PART “The papers are all over the place. Tidy them up.”



109.



saang1 ngau1 ngau1 (生勾勾 生勾勾) 生勾勾 100, alive



生 勾 勾,



覺 得



生 活



saang1 ngau1 ngau1, gok3-dak1 sang1-wut6 alive-ngau1-ngau1, think life



是 不 會



si6 bat1 wui6 is NEG will



選 擇



仲 有 幾 份 樂 趣 的 人



, zung6 jau5 gei2-fan6 lok6 ceoi3 dik1 jan4, still have some fun dik1 people



單 拖 去



camp syun2-zaak6 daan1-to1 heoi3 camp choose single go camp



“People who are alive and still think that life is interesting will not choose to go camping alone.” 110.



sam1 juk1 juk1 (心郁郁 心郁郁), 心郁郁 eager to do something



日 都 心 郁



我 成



郁 想 去 買



 部



手 機



ngo5 seng4 jat6 dou1 sam1 juk1 juk1 soeng2 heoi3 maai5 go2 bou6 sau2 gei1 1.SG whole day dou1 heart-unstable-unstable want go buy that CL hand machine “I have also been wanting to buy that mobile phone.” 111.



sam1 si1 si1 (心思思 心思思), 心思思 eager to do something, being disturbed



我



成



心 思思



日 都



想



去



機 鋪



ngo5 seng4 jat6 dou1 sam1-si1-si1 soeng2 heoi3 gei- pou2 1.SG whole day dou1 heart-think-think want go game-shop “I always want to go to the video game center to play video games.” 112.



sap1 det6 det6 (濕 濕



打 機



daa2 gei1 hit machine



), wet



個 地 下 濕 □ □ ， 小 心 霰 親 呀



go3 dei6-haa2 sap1 det6 det6 gaa3, siu2 sam1 sin3 can1 aa3 CL floor wet-det6-det6 PART be-careful slip can1 PART “The floor is very sliperry. Be careful!” 113.



sap1 lap6 lap6 (濕 濕), wet



哩 排 啲 天 氣 濕， 搞到個人都冇晒心機做呀！



Li1 paai4 di1 tin1 hei3 sap1 lap6 lap6 gaau2 dou3 go3 jan4 mou5 saai3 sam1-gei1 zou6 je5 aa3 this period CL weather wet-lap6-lap6 make dou3 CL person no saai3 agility do1 thing PART “The weather is so humid these days. I don”t have any mood to work.”



100



from Metro News (6/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



53



114.



sau3 maang2 maang2 (瘦蜢蜢 瘦蜢蜢), 瘦蜢蜢 skinny



個 小 朋 友 瘦 蜢



蜢 咁 梗 係 平 時 食好 少  



, go3 siu2 pang4 jau5 sau3 maang2 maang2 gam2, gang2 hai6 ping4 si4 sik6 hou2 siu2 je5 gaa3 laak3 CL little friend thin-maang2 maang2 gam3, definite be flat time eat INTENS little thing PART PART “The little kid is skinny. I bet s/he doesn”t eat much.” 115.



sei2 gu4 gu4 (死咕咕 死咕咕), 死咕咕 dull, inflexible



佢



做



事 死 咕 咕咁



完



全



唔 識



, keoi5 zou6 si6 sei2 gu4 gu4 gam3, jyun4-cyun4 m4 3.SG do job die-gu-gu gam3, completely NEG “S/he does things rigidly. There is no flexibility in him/her.” 116.



變



sik1 bin3 know change



通







tung1 gaa3 pass PART



siu3 ke4 ke4 (笑騎騎 笑騎騎) 騎騎笑 笑騎騎 101/ ke4 ke4 siu3 (騎騎 騎騎笑), laughing



葉 璇 夜 攜 男



伴 睇



笑 騎騎



戲



jip6-syun4 je6 kwai4 naam4 bun6 tai2 hei3 siu3-ke4-ke4 Yip-syun night carry male partner watch movie laugh-mount-mount "Yip-syun was very happy when she went to see a movie with a male friend."



117.



siu3 mi1 mi1 (笑咪咪 笑咪咪) 笑咪咪 102, to smile slightly



陳 秀 珠 帶 太 子 睇 騒 笑 咪 咪



can4-sau3-zyu1 daai3 taai3-zi2 tai2 sou1 siu3 mi1 mi1 Can-sau-zyu bring Prince watch show laugh-mi1-mi1 “Chan Sau Chu brought the “Prince” with her and watched the show happily.” 118.



sung1 pel4 pel4 (鬆 鬆



), loose



你 條 牛 仔 褲 鬆 □ □ 好 心 你 唔



好 著 啦



... ! nei5 tiu4 ngau6-zai2- fu3 sung-pel4-pel4...hou2 sam1 nei5 m4 hou2 zoek3 laa1 2.SG CL jeans loose-pel4-pel4 ....good heart 2.SG NEG good wear PART “Your jeans are so loose. Please don”t wear them!” 119.



syun1 mei1 mei1 (酸瞇瞇 酸瞇瞇), 酸瞇瞇 a bit sour



啲



芒 果 酸 瞇 瞇 



唔



好



食



呀



, di1 mong1 gwo2 syun1 mei1 mei1 ge2 m4 hou2 sik6 CL mangoes sour-mei1-mei1 PART, NEG good eat “The mangoes are a bit sour. Don”t try them.” 120.



taam5 mau6 mau6 (淡 淡茂茂), 茂茂 almost tasteless



碗



粥



淡



茂



茂



一



, wun2 zuk1 taam5 mau6 mau6 jat1 CL congee light-in-taste mau6 mau6, one “The congee is tasteless. I does”t taste good at all.”



121.



tau4 cek3 cek3 (頭赤赤 頭赤赤), 頭赤赤 feeling a bit dizzy



做  成 日



啲



di1 di1



野 依 家 頭 赤赤 咁



aa3 PART



都



dou1 dou1



好



唔



m4 NEG



好



食



唔



舒 服



hou2 good



sik6 eat



, , zou6 zo2 seng4 jat6 je5 ji1-gaa1 tau4 cek3 cek3 gam2 hou2 m4 syu1-fuk6 do PERF whole day things, now head-cek3-cek3 gam2 INTENS NEG comfortable “Having worked for the whole day, I”ve got a headache now. I am feeling very uncomfortable.



101 102



from Apple Daily (2/10/2004:C6) from Apple Daily (11/10/2004:C12)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



54



122.



tau4 dap1 dap1 (頭 頭耷耷) 耷耷 103, head down (in low spirit, not in mood)



單



腳 企 時 要 盡



量



抬 頭



向 前 望



別 頭 耷 耷



, daan1 goek3 kei5 si4 jiu3 zeon6-loeung4 toi4 tau4 hoeng3 cin4 mong6, bit6 tau4 dap1 dap1 single leg stand time need best lift head towards front look, NEG head-dap1-dap1 “When you stand on one leg, you should lift your head and look forward. Don”t look down.”



123.



tau4 ngok6 ngok6 (頭顎顎 頭顎顎) 頭另另) 頭 頭顎顎 / tau4 ling6 ling6 (頭另另 頭另另 / tau4 fing6 fing6 (頭 head up/ movement



佢



成



朝



都 頭 顎 顎



乜



都 無



),



做 過



, keoi5 seng4 ziu1 dou1 tau4 ngok6 ngok6, mat1 dou1 mou4 zou6 gwo3 3.SG whole morning dou1 head-up-up, what dou1 NEG do gwo3 “S/he was idling for the whole morning and did nothing.” 124.



tau4 wan4 wan4 (頭暈暈 頭暈暈), 頭暈暈 feeling dizzy



哩 排



佢



成 日 見 頭 暈 暈 咁， 叫 佢 多 休息



喇



lei1 paai4 keoi5 seng4 jat6 gin3 tau4 wan4 wan4 gam2, giu3 keoi5 do1 di1 jau1 sik1 laa1 this period 3.SG whole day see head-faint-faint gam2 ask 3.SG many little rest PART “S/he always feels dizzy these days. Tell him to rest more.” 125.



tim4 je4 je4 (甜椰椰 甜椰椰), 甜椰椰 a bit sweet



啲 糖



甜 椰 椰 唔 好 食 咁 多 呀， 因 住 蛀 牙 呀！



, di1 tong2 tim4 je4 je4, m4 hou2 sik6 gam3 do1 aa3, jan- zyu6 zyu3 ngaa4 aa3 CL candies sweet-je4-je4, NEG good eat that many PART, be-careful decay tooth PART “The candies are too sweet. Don”t eat too much or you”ll have tooth decay.”



126.



tim4 si1 si1(甜絲絲 甜絲絲) 甜絲絲 104, sweet



遠



方 的 爸 爸 知 道 女 兒 惦 記 著 他, 心 裡 是 甜 絲 絲 的



jyun5-fong1 dik1 baa1-baa1 zi1-dou3 neoi3-ji4 dim3 gei3 zoek3 taa1, sam1 leoi5 si6 tim4 si1 si1 dik1 faraway dik1 father know daughter miss remember ASP him, heart inside is sweet-silk-silk dik1 “Her father, who is faraway from her, is very happy for he knows his daughter misses him very much.”



127.



waat6 lyut1 lyut1 (滑脟脟 滑脟脟), 滑脟脟 state of very smooth



佢



啲 皮膚



滑 脟脟



好



靚



呀



, keoi5 di1 pei4-fu1 waat6 lyut1 lyut1 hou2 leng3 aa3 3.SG POSS skin smooth-lyut1-lyut1, INTENS pretty PART “Her skin is so soft and tender. It is very attractive.” 128.



waat6 saan4 saan4 (滑潺潺 滑潺潺) 滑潺潺 105, unpleasantly slippery



啲 魚 滑 潺 潺 咁,



我



勁



di1 jyu4 waat6 saan4 saan4 gam3, ngo5 ging6 the fish smooth-saan4-saan4 gam3, 1.SG very “The fish is slippery. I am very afraid of it.”



129.



驚 呀



geng1 aa1 afraid PART



wan4 to4 to4(暈陀陀 暈陀陀) 暈陀陀 106, swaying and feeling dizzy



袁 潔 儀 攬 住 男 觀



眾 電 到



對 方 暈 陀陀



, jyun4-git3-ji4 laam5 zyu2 naam4 gun1-zung3, din6 dou3 deoi3-fong1 wan4 to4 to4 Jyun-git-ji hold ASP male audience, attract dou3 partner dizzy-to4-to4 “Jyun-git-ji made the male audience feel very excited when she hugged him.



103 104 105 106



from Apple Daily (18/10/2004:E4) from Ming Pao (27/9/2004) from Apple Daily (30/9/2004) from Apple Daily (2/10/2004:C10)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



55



130.



wong4 gam4 gam4 (黃淦淦 黃淦淦), 黃淦淦 yellow



紙 黃



張



淦



淦



梗 係 好



舊







喇



zoeng1 zi2 wong4 gam4 gam4 , gang2 hai6 hou2 gau6 gaa3 laa3 CL. paper yellow-gam4-gam4. definite be INTENS old PART. PART. “This piece of paper has turned yellowish. It must be very old/ It must have been here for a long time.” 131.



wu1 zeot1 zeot1(烏卒卒 烏卒卒) 烏卒卒 107, dark



赤 腳



拍 攝 的 她 更 因 站



而 弄



致 腳 底 烏 卒 卒



在 石 頭 取 景



cek3 goek3 paak3 sip3 dik1 taa1 gang3 jan1 zaam6- zoi6 sek5-tau4 ceoi2 ging2 bare feet take action dik1 3.SG even because stand stone find scene



ji4 so



lung6- zi3 goek3-dai2 wu1 zeot1 zeot1 make sole dark-zeot1-zeot1



“Her soles became dark because she stood with bare feet on the stone when the photos were taken.” 132.



zeoi2 miu5 miu5(嘴藐藐 嘴藐藐) 嘴藐藐 108, moving the lips to show hatred, indifference/ look down upon somebody



小 池 榮 子則 表 情 多 多 連



跟 社 長



合



, siu2-ci4-wing4-zi2 zak1 biu2-cing4 do1 do1, lin4 gan1 se5 zoeng2 hap6 Siu-ci-wing-zi then expressions many many, even with company head together



照



時 也



嘴 藐 藐



ziu3 si4 jaa5 zeoi2 miu2 miu2 photograph when also mouth-miu5-miu5 “Siu-ci-wing-zi had lots of facial expressions. She even raised her lips and looked indifferent when she took a picture with her boss” 133.



zing6 gai1 gai1 (靜雞雞 靜雞雞), 靜雞雞 quietly



佢



個 仔



趁



佢



唔



 屋企



靜 雞 雞 偷



佢







錢



keoi5 go3 zai2 can3 keoi5 m4 hai2 uk1-kei2 zing6 gai1 gai1 tau- zo2 keoi5 di1 cin2 3.SG POSS son while 3.SG NEG at home quiet-gai1-gai1 steal-PERF 3.SG POSS money “His/her son stole his/her money when s/he is not at home.”



134.



zing6 jing1 jing1 (靜英英 靜英英), 靜英英 quiet



條 街



靜 英 英



你



一 個 人



返



屋企 要



小心







呀



, tiu4 gaai1 zing6 jing1 jing1, nei5 jat1 go3 jan4 faan1 uk1-kei2 jiu3 siu2-sam1 di1 aa3 CL street quiet-jing1-jing1 3.SG one CL person back home must careful little PART “The street is so quiet. Please be careful when you go home by yourself.” 135.



zeoi2 zel1 zel1 (咀 咀



唔 好 成



), Talkative (neg.) □ □



日 咀



，



俾  心 機做 功 課



啦



m4 hou2 seng4 jat6 zeoi2 zel1 zel1, bei2 di1 sam1-gei1 zou6 gung1-fo3 laa1 NEG good whole day mouth-zel1-zel1, give little effort do homework PART “Don”t talk too much. Pay more attention to doing your homework.”



107 108



from Apple Daily (30/9/2004) from Apple Daily (30/9/2004:C33)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



56



136.



zoeng4 buk1 buk1 (脹卜卜 脹卜卜), 脹卜卜 bulky, puffy



嘩！ 頭 先 食 飯 食 到 好 飽



呀，



依 家 仲 脹 卜 卜 咁



個肚



waa3 tau4-sin1 sik6 faan6 sik6 dou3 hou2 baau2 aa3, go3 tou5 ji1-gaa1 zung6 zoeng3 buk1 buk1 gam2 INTJ. before eat rice eat dou3 INTENS full PART, CL tummy now still bulky-buk1-buk1 gam2 “Wow! I ate a big meal just now and my tummy is still very full.”



6. ABCD 137. bing4 ling1 baang3 laang4 (砰擰 砰擰繃 砰擰繃), noise made by falling things



間



房



裡 面



砰



擰



繃







做 乜



咁



司 □ □ 咁 轉， 忙



到



嘈



gaan1 fong4 lei5-min6 bing4 ling1 baang3 laang4, zou6 mat1 gam3 cou4 CL room inside bing4 ling1 baang3 laang4, do what so noisy “How come the room is so noisy?” 138.



cit1 coet1 gam3 zyun3 (□□咁轉), 咁轉 going around



我



今 日 成



日  公



不 得 了 呀！



Ngo5 gam- jat6 seng4 jat6 hai2 gung1-si1 cit1 coet1 gam3 zyun3, mong4 dou3 bat1-dak1-liu5 aa3 1.SG today whole day be office cit1-coet-gam3-turn-round busy dou3 extremely PART “I”ve been extremely busy and turning round and round the office for the whole day.” 139.



cou4 hyun1 baa1 bai3(嘈喧巴閉 嘈喧巴閉) 嘈喧巴閉 109, making noise



佢



咁 嘈 喧 巴 閉



keoi5 gam2 cou4 hyun1 baa1 bai3 3. SG INTENS noisy-hyun1-baa1-bai3 “S/he is so noisy.” 140.



daai6 tou5 lam4 dam1 (大肚 大肚 大肚沊), being pregnant (esp. at a late stage of the pregnancy)



個



女



人



大 肚 沊 仲 四 圍 走 好 危 險 呀



, , go3 neoi5 jan2 daai6 tou5 lam4 dam1 zung6 sei3 wai4 zau2 hou2 ngai4 him2 aa3 CL woman person big-tummy-lam4-dam1, still all-around walk, very dangerous PART “The woman is at her late pregnancy, and yet she is still going around. This is very dangerous.” 141.



fi4 li1 fe4 le4 ( 唎啡哩), 唎啡哩 reflecting the sound of something watery coming out in a vigorous manner



佢講



 陣 啲口



列啡哩咁 噴 出  幾唔衛 生



水



呀！



, keoi5 gong2 je5 go2 zan6 di1 hau2 seoi2 fi4-li1-fe4-le4 gam2 pan3 ceot1 lei4, gei2 m4 wai6 sang1 aa3 3.SG talk thing that while CL mouth water fi4-li1-fe4-le4 gam3 spray out come, INTENS NEG hygienic PART “His saliva spat out as he talked. That”s so unhygienic.” 142.



gei1 li1 gu1 lou1(嘰哩咕嚕 嘰哩咕嚕) 嘰哩咕嚕 110, sound of a foreign language



施



南 生 忽 然 嘰 哩咕嚕 地 用



之 類



avez-vous diné sil-naam4-sang1 fat1-jin4 gei1 li1 gu1 lou1 dei6 jing6 avez-vous diné zi1-leoi6 Si-naam-sang suddenly gei1-li1-gu1-lou1 dei6 use avez-vous diné type



法 文



跟 身 邊 一 位



朋



友



客 套



商



量



faat3-man4 gan1 san1-bin1 jat1 wai2 pang4-jau5 haak3-tou3 soeng1-loeng4 French with nearby one CL friend kindly discuss “Si-naam-sang suddenly spoke to her friend in French, something like “avez-vous dine?”.” 109 110



from Apple Daily (18/10/2004) from Ming Pao (4/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



57



143.



hak1 gu2 lak6 dat6 (黑古勒突 黑古勒突), 黑古勒突 with somewhat dark complexion



佢



啲



皮 膚 黑 古 勒 突 咁 一 定 成 日



去 游 水



, keoi5 di1 pei4-fu1 hak1 gu2 lak6 dat6 gam2, jat1-ding6 seng4 jat6 heoi3 jau4-seoi2 3.SG POSS skin black-dark-lak6-dat6 gam2, must whole day go swim water “His/her complexion is so dark. I bet s/he always goes swimming.” 144.



喇



laa3 PART



ji1 waa1 gwai2 giu3 ( 依嘩鬼叫) 嘩鬼叫 111, shouting wildly



陶 大 宇 順 德 冧 女, 觀 眾 依 嘩 鬼 叫



tou4-daai6-jyu5 seon6-dak1 lum1 neoi6, gun1-zung3 ji1 waa1 gwai2 giu3 Tou-tai-yu Shun De please girl, audience ji1-waa1-ghost-shout “The female viewers in Shun De shouted wildly because Tou-tai-yu”s presence.”



145.



ngok3 sei2 nang4 dang1 (惡死能登 惡死能登), 惡死能登 being fierce



個男



惡 死 能



仔 個 樣



登 咁



所以 無 女 仔 鐘意 囉



, go3 naam4 zai2 go3 joeng2 ngok3 sei2 nang4 dang1 gam2, so2-ji5 mou5 neoi5 zai2 zung1 ji3 lo1 CL male little CL appearance fierce-die-nang4-dang1 gam3, so no female little like PART “The guy looks fierce and offensive, so no girl likes him.”



146.



si4 li1 saa4 laa4 (嘶哩唦 嘶哩唦 嘶哩唦), Sounds of rain drops



出



面



好



大



雨



成



日



都



, 嘶 哩 唦  咁 聲 ceot1-min6 hou2 daai6 jyu5, seng4 jat6 dou1 si4 li1 saa4 laa4 gam2 seng1 outside INTENS big rain, all day dou1 si4 li1 saa4 laa4 gam2 sound “It is raining in torrents out there. I can hear it.” 147.



wi1 waa1 gwai2 giu3 ( 嘩鬼叫), 嘩鬼叫 Noisy / talking very loudly



班



小 朋 友  度



□ 嘩 鬼 叫



嘈



到



我 冇



覺



好







, baan1 siu2 pang4-jau5 hai6 dou3 wi1 waa1 gwai2 giu3, cou4 dou3 ngo5 mou5 gaau3 hou2 fan3 CL little friend is dou3 wi1 waa1 ghost scream, noisy dou3 1.SG NEG sleep good to-sleep “Those kids are making so much noise. I can”t sleep at all.” 148.



wu1 lei1/li1 daan1 dou1(污唎單叨 污唎單叨)messy, dirty 污唎單叨



佢



成 日 都 唔 



，搞



到



間 房污 唎 單 叨



keoi5 seng4 jat6 dou1 m4 zap1 je5 , gaau2 dou3 gaan1 fong2 wu1 li1 daan1 dou1 3.SG whole day dou1 NEG tidy-up things make dou3 CL room wu1-li1-daan1-dou1 “S/he never tidy things up. His/her room is very messy and dirty.” 149.



wu1 lei/li1 maa5 caa5 (污唎馬喳 污唎馬喳)messy, dirty 污唎馬喳



佢 個 仔 好



百



厭 ， 成



日 畫



到 張



污 唎 馬 喳



keoi5 go3 zai2 hou2 baak3-jim3 gaa3, seng4 jat6 waak6 dou3 zoeng1 toi2 wu1 li1 maa5 caa5 3.SG POSS son INTENS naughty PART whole day draw dou3 CL table wu1-li1-maa5-caa5 “His/her son is very naughty. S/he always draws on the table and makes it dirty.”



111



from Apple Daily (2/10/2004:C10)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



58



7. ABAC faa1 li1 (faa1) luk1 (花呢花碌 花呢花碌), 花呢花碌 colorful



150.



啲 衫



花 呢花 碌



太



啦



唔 襯



你



喎



, gin6 saam1 taai3 faa1 li1 faa1 luk1 laa3 m4 can3 nei5 wo3 CL clothes INTENS flower-li1-flower-luk1 PART, NEG match 2.SG PART “The clothes are too colorful. They don”t suit your style.”



8. ABAB haa5 saap6 haa5 (霎下霎下 霎下霎下), 霎下霎下 silly / absent-minded



151. saap6



佢



人 霎 下 霎 下 咁



個



唔



信



得



過 



, keoi5 go3 jan4 saap6 haa5 saap6 haa5 gam3, m4 seon3 dak1 gwo1 gaa3 3.SG CL person saap6 haa5 saap6 haa5 gam3, NEG believe dak1 gwo1 PART “S/he is very absent-minded. S/he is not trustworthy.”



9. AABB 152.



aai1 aai1 bang6 bang1 (挨挨崩崩 挨挨崩崩), 挨挨崩崩 the act of leaning on something/somebody



唔



好 



度



挨 挨 崩



崩



啦



企



直



, ng4 hou2 hai2 dou3 aai1 aai1 bang6 bang1 laa1, kei5 zik6 NEG good be dou3 aai1 aai1 bang6 bang1 PART, stand upright “Stop leaning here and there. Stand upright.” 153.







se1 little



aam4 aam4 caam4 caam4 (岩岩慚慚 岩岩慚慚), 岩岩慚慚 irregular, asymmetric



舊 石 頭 岩 岩 慚 慚 ， 你 因 住  親 呀



gau6 sek6 tau4 aam4 aam4 caam4 caam4 gaa3 nei5 jan1 zyu6 gaai3 can1 aa3 CL rock aam4 aam4 caam4 caam4 PART 2.SG be-careful cut can1 PART “The rock is so irregular. Make sure that you don”t get hurt (when holding it).” 154.



am4 am4 cam4 cam4 (唵唵 唵唵 噚噚), 噚噚 murmuring



佢



成 日 唵 唵 噚 噚,



真



係 好



keoi5 seng4 jat6 am4 am4 cam4 cam4, zan1 hai6 hou2 3.SG all day am4 am4 cam4 cam4, really is INTENS “He/she is always murmuring, which is really annoying.” 155.



煩



faan4 disturbing



ding4 ding1 dam4 dam3 (叮叮 叮叮沊沊 傾拎框冷 叮叮沊沊)/ 沊沊 king1 ling1 kwaang1 laang1 (傾拎 傾拎框冷), 框冷 to describe somebody wearing lots of jewels



佢



好



貪



靚



 成



日 都 成



身



叮 叮



沊 沊 



, keoi5 hou2 taam1 leng3 gaa3, seng4 jat6 dou1 seng4 san1 ding4 ding1 dam4 dam3 gaa3 3.SG INTENS greedy beauty gaa3 all day dou1 all body ding4 ding1 dam4 dam3 gaa3 “She likes dressing up herself and she always wears lots of accessories on her.” 156.



faai3 faai3 ceoi3 ceoi3 (快快脆脆 快快脆脆), 快快脆脆 fast



嗰 份



功 課



好



趕







你 快 快 脆 脆 做 



佢



啦



, go2 fan6 gung1-fo3 hou2 gon2 gaa3, nei5 faai3 faai3 ceoi3 ceoi3 zou6 zo2 keoi5 laa1 that CL homework INTENS urgent PART, 2.SG fast-fast-ceoi3-ceoi3 do PERF 3.SG PART “That assignment is very urgent. You get it done fast.”



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



59



157.



fu2 fu2 gip3 gip3 (苦苦澀澀 苦苦澀澀), 苦苦澀澀 a bit / too bitter



啲 藥



水



苦 苦澀澀



個



小 朋 友 唔



, di1 joek6 seoi2 fu2 fu2 gip3 gip3, go3 siu2 pang4-jau5 m4 di1 medicine water bitter-bitter-acrid-acrid, CL little friend NEG “The syrup (medicine) was bitter and the kid refused to take it.” 158.



肯



hang2 be-willing



飲



呀



jam2 aa3 drink PART



gei1 gei1 zaa1 zaa1(嘰嘰喳喳 嘰嘰喳喳) 嘰嘰喳喳 112, talking quickly



牠 嘰 嘰喳 喳 地



說



taa1 gei1 gei1 zaa1 zaa1 dei6 syut3 3.SG gei1-gei1-zaa1-zaa1 dei6 talk “It talked quickly.”



159.



gwai2 gwai2 syu2 syu2 (鬼鬼鼠鼠 鬼鬼鼠鼠), 鬼鬼鼠鼠 behaving with hidden motives



佢



做 乜 鬼



鬼 鼠 鼠 咁



會 唔 會係 賊



 ？



, keoi5 zou6 mat1 gwai2 gwai2 syu2 syu2 gam2 wui5 m4 wui5 hai6 caak2 lei4 gaa3 3.SG why ghost ghost syu2 syu2 gam2 , will NEG will be thief PART PART “He/she looks furtive. Could s/he be a thief?”



160.



hi1 hi1 haa1 haa1 (嘻嘻哈哈 嘻嘻哈哈) 嘻嘻哈哈 113, playing all the time, not being serious



青 少



年的 收 入 低 平 時 嘻 嘻 哈 哈



, cing1-siu2-lin4 dik1 sau1-jap6 dai1, ping4-si4 hi1 hi1 haa1 haa1 teenager dik1 income low, always hei1 hei1 haa1 haa1 “Teenages do not earn much money. They spend most of their time playing.” 161.



ji4 ji4 aa1 aa1(咦咦呀呀 咦咦呀呀) 咦咦呀呀 114, sound produced by a violin



只見 那 老 伯 先 把 琴 架 在 肩



上 下



巴一 夾



, , zi2 gin3 naa5 lou5 baak3 sin1 baa2 kam4 gaa3-zoi6 gin1 soeng6, haa6-baa1 jat1 gaap3, just see that old man firstly put violin on shoulder surface, chin one hold,



咦 咦 呀 呀 拉 出... 天 鵝 湖



ji4 ji4 aa1 aa1 laai1 ceot1...tin1 ngo4 wu4 ji4-ji4-aa1-aa1 play ceot1…The Swan Lake “(Somebody) saw the old man put the violin on his shoulder and held it under his chin. He then played “The Swan Lake”.”



162.



ji4 ji1 ngo4 ngo4 ( 依 依哦哦 依哦哦)115, murmuring into somebody”s ears



學



友 大



爆 老 婆羅 美 薇 有 潔 癖 鍾 意



, hok2-jaau5 daai6-baau3 lou5 po4 lo4 mei5 mei4 jau5 git3 pik1, zung1 ji3 Hok-jaau expose wife Lo-mei-mei have cleanliness, like



依 依哦 哦



ji4 ji1 ngo4 ngo4 ji4-ji1-ngo4-ngo4



同



埋 黑 面



tung4-maai4 hak1 min6 and angry



“Hok-jaau told others that his wife, Lo-mei-mei, had phobia on dirt. At the same time, she liked to murmur into his ears and be angry with him.”



112



from Apple Daily (11/10/2004)



113



from Apple Daily (12/10/2004)



114



from Apple Daily (11/10/2004) from Apple Daily (3/10/2004)



115



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



60



163.



jung4 jung4 laan6 laan6 (熔熔爛爛 熔熔爛爛) 霉霉爛爛), 熔熔爛爛 / mui4 mui4 laan6 laan6 (霉霉爛爛 霉霉爛爛 worn out, rotten



熔 熔 爛 爛



條 褲



啦 要



買 過 條 新







喇



, tiu4 fu3 jung4 jung4 laan6 laan6 laa1, jiu3 maai5 gwo3 tiu4 san1 gaa3 laa3 CL trousers jung4-jung4-worn-out-worn-out PART, need buy gwo1 CL new PART PART “The trousers are already worn-out. I have to buy a new pair.”



164.



kau4 kau4 kei4 kei4 (求求其其 求求其其), 求求其其 being sketchy, careless



求 求 其 其 咁 就 做 完 所 有 功 課 喇



佢



keoi5 kau4 kau4 kei4 kei4 gam3 zau6 3.SG kau4 kau4 kei4 kei4 gam3 zau6 “S/he has finished all the homework carelessly.” 165.



zou6 jyun4 do finish



lap6 lap6 lo6 lo6 ( 邏邏), 邏邏 doing things slowly / being inefficient



佢



做 事



邏 邏



完



全



, keoi5 zou6 si6 lap6 lap6 lo6 lo6, jyun4-cyun4 3.SG do work lap6 lap6 lo6 lo6, completely “S/he does things slowly and absolutely inefficient.” 166.



so2-jau5 gung1-fo3 laa1 all homework PART



無



le5 le5 fe5 fe5 (哩哩啡啡 哩哩啡啡), 哩哩啡啡 messy, untidy



佢 個 人 咁 哩 哩 啡啡 難



效 率 



mou4 haau6-leot6 gaa3 NEG efficiency PART



怪 冇



人 請



佢 做



 啦



keoi5 go3 jan4 gam3 le5 le5 fe5 fe5 naan4 gwaai3 mou5 jan4 ceng2 keoi5 zou6 je5 laa1 3.SG CL person so le5-le5-fe5-fe5, difficult blame no person invite 3.SG do thing PART “He/she is so messy and untidy. No wonder nobody wants to employ him.” 167.



leon6 leon6 zeon6 zeon6 (論論盡盡 論論盡盡), 論論盡盡 clumsy



佢



個



人



論 論 盡 盡 咁 唔



, keoi5 go3 jan4 leon6 leon6 zeon6 zeon6 gam3, m4 3.SG CL person leon6 leon6 zeon6 zeon6 gam3, NEG “S/he is a clumsy person. Nobody trusts him/her.” 168.



靠 得 住 



kaau3-dak1-zyu6 gaa3 reliable PART



lou4 lou4 dou1 dou1 (嘮嘮叨叨 嘮嘮叨叨) 嘮嘮叨叨 116, murmuring all the time



切



忌



嘮 嘮 叨 叨 含 含 糊 糊



, cit3 gei6 lou4 lou4 dou1 dou1, ham4 ham4 wu4 wu4 Remember not lou4-lou4-dou1-dou1, talk-vaguely “Remember not to murmur and talk vaguely all the time.” 169.



mang2 mang2 zang2 zang2 (忟忟 忟忟憎憎 忟忟憎憎), 憎憎 losing temper, getting angry, agitated



佢 凡親



多  做 就 會 忟 忟 憎 憎 咁 



喇



keoi5 faan4-can1 do1 je5 zou6 zau6 wui5 mang2 mang2 zang2 zang2 gam2 gaa3 laa3 3.SG whenever many thing do zau6 will mang2 mang2 zang2 zang2 gam2 PART PART “He/she always loses temper, no one dare talk to him/her.” 170.



mi1 mi1 mo1 mo1 (咪 咪咪摸摸), 咪摸摸 slow



佢



做 事 咪 咪 摸 摸 完



全 無



, keoi5 zou6 si6 mi1 mi1 mo1 mo1, jyun4-cyun4 3.SG do work mi1 mi1 mo1 mo1, completely “S/he does things slowly; s/he is completely inefficient.”



116



效 率



mou4 haau6-leot6 not-have efficiency







gaa3 PART



from Apple Daily (1/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



61



171.



mou4 mou4 liu4 liu4 (無無聊聊 無無聊聊), 無無聊聊 being idle



佢



成



日 都 無 無 聊 聊 咁 浪 費



我



地



時 間



, 嘅 keoi5 seng4 jat6 dou1 mou4 mou4 liu4 liu4 gam3, long4-fai3 ngo5-dei6 gei3 si4-gaan3 3.SG all day dou1 no-no-liu4 liu4 gam3, waste 1.PL POSS time “S/he has always been idle and wasted our time.” 172.



muk6 muk6 duk6 duk6 (木木獨獨 木木獨獨), 木木獨獨 to describe sby being dull/boring



嗰 個 男仔



木 木 獨獨



咁



難



怪



冇



人



鍾 意 佢 啦



, go2 go3 naam4 jat6 muk6 muk6 duk6 duk6 gam3, naan4 gwaai3 mou5 jan4 zung1-ji3 keoi5 laa1 that CL male little wood-wood-duk6-duk6 gam3, difficult blame no person like 3.SG PART “That guy is a boring person. No wonder nobody is interested in him.” 173.



nau2 nau2 ling6 ling6 (扭扭擰擰 扭扭擰擰) 扭扭擰擰 117, twisting / being indecisive



據 知 佘詩 曼



早 前 為纖體 公 司 拍 廣



告 又 扭 扭 擰 擰



geoi3-zi1 se4-si1-maan6 zou2-cin4 wai6 cim1-tai2 gung1-si1 paak3 gwong2-gou3 yau3 nau2 nau2 ling6 ling6 rumour Se-si-maan early for slimming corporation videotape advertisement also nau2-nau2-ling6-ling6 “There was a rumour saying that Se-si-maan was not very cooperative when she videotaped an advertisement for a slimming company.” 174.



tiu3 tiu3 zaat3 zaat3 (跳跳紮紮 跳跳紮紮) 紮紮跳), 跳跳紮紮 / zaat3 zaat3 tiu3 (紮紮跳 紮紮跳 the act of jumping around



嗰 個 小 朋 友



成



日 都



跳



跳 紮 紮



好



活 潑



呀



, go2 go3 siu2 pang4-jau5 seng4 jat6 dou1 tiu3 tiu3 zaat3 zaat3, hou2 wut6-put3 aa1 That CL little friend whole day dou1 jump jump zaat3 zaat3, INTENS lively PART “That little kid is always jumping here and there. He”s very lively.” 175.



zaa3 zaa3 dai3 (dai3), (詐詐諦諦 詐詐諦諦), 詐詐諦諦 to pretend / the act of pretending



唔



好 詐 詐 諦 諦



快



俾 返 隻 錶 我 呀！



, ng4 hou2 zaa3 zaa3 dai3 dai3, faai3 di1 bei2 faan1 zek3 biu1 ngo5 aa3 NEG good zaa3 zaa3 dai3 dai3, fast di1 give back CL watch 1.SG PART “Don”t pretend (that you”re not keeping my watch). Give me back my watch immediately!” 176.



zi1 zi1 m4 m4(支支吾吾 支支吾吾) 支支吾吾 118, talking unclearly, ambiguously



他 們 採 取 支支吾吾



模



稜



兩 可 的 態 度



, taa1-mun4 coi2-ceoi2 zi1 zi1 m4 m4, mou4-ling4-loeng5-ho2 dik1 taai3-dou6 3. PL use zi1-zi1-m4-m4, vague dik1 attitude “They chose to talk in an unclear and vague manner.”



117



from Sudden Weekly (1/10/2004)



118



from Apple Daily (15/10/2004)



© 2000-2008 Adams Bodomo. All Rights Reserved.



62