Learn these four Taiwanese Hokkien words(Taigi) to shock your Taiwanese friends!

Cecilia Chen Chinese

9 Nov 202204:38

Summary

TLDRIn this video, the speaker introduces some Hokkien words commonly used in Taiwan, despite Mandarin being the official language. They highlight the cultural significance and everyday use of Hokkien, especially among younger generations. Examples include terms for describing bad behavior, stupidity, and good stuff. The speaker emphasizes the integration of Hokkien into Mandarin and encourages viewers to learn these words to better connect with Taiwanese culture. They also mention adding Hokkien phrases to their Mandarin learning course to provide a more authentic Taiwanese language experience.

Takeaways

😀 Introduction to Hokkien, a language spoken in Taiwan alongside Mandarin Chinese.
🗣️ Taiwan has multiple languages including Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, and various Aboriginal languages.
😞 The speaker notes that fewer young people know how to speak Hokkien today.
🔄 It's common in Taiwan to switch between Mandarin and Hokkien in conversation.
💬 Example of Hokkien phrase: When someone behaves badly, you can say 'oh'.
⏰ Example of Hokkien phrase: Describing someone who is late on a first date with 'this is '
🤪 'Idiot' in Hokkien can describe someone who is very stupid or behavior that is foolish.
👍 'Hulkang' means good stuff or good information, often seen in promotions and discounts.
🌟 'Sun' in Hokkien means excellent or great and is used on platforms like Facebook.
🌐 Some Hokkien words are deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture and used frequently, merging with Mandarin in daily life.
📚 The speaker has added more Hokkien phrases to their course 'Learn Taiwanese Mandarin from Zero to Hero' to help learners become more familiar with Taiwanese culture.

Q & A

What are the official and other languages spoken in Taiwan?
-The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, but other languages spoken include Hokkien, Hakka, and various Aboriginal languages.
What language does the speaker personally speak?
-The speaker personally speaks Hokkien.
Why does the speaker think it's a shame that fewer young people speak Hokkien nowadays?
-The speaker believes it's a shame because Hokkien is an important part of Taiwanese culture and heritage, and fewer young people speaking it may lead to its decline.
What does the speaker say about Taiwanese people mixing Mandarin and Hokkien?
-The speaker mentions that it is very common for Taiwanese people to mix Mandarin and Hokkien in their conversations, switching between the two languages frequently.
What does the phrase 'behaviour is very bad' translate to in Hokkien?
-The phrase translates to 'behaviour is very bad' in Hokkien.
How does the speaker use the term 'idiot' in Hokkien?
-The speaker uses the term 'idiot' in Hokkien to describe someone who is very stupid or to describe certain behaviors as stupid.
What does 'good stuff' translate to in Hokkien and where might you see this term used?
-In Hokkien, 'good stuff' is referred to as 'hulkang,' and you might see this term used in promotions or on websites offering discounts or other beneficial information.
What does the Hokkien word 'sun' mean?
-'Sun' in Hokkien means excellent or great.
How is the word 'sun' used on Facebook according to the speaker?
-On Facebook, the like button is labeled with the word 'sun' in Hokkien to denote excellence or greatness.
What new feature has the speaker added to their Mandarin course?
-The speaker has added more Japanese Hokkien phrases to their beginner course, 'Learn Taiwanese Mandarin from Zero to Hero,' to incorporate more Taiwanese elements into the course.
Why does the speaker believe adding Hokkien to the Mandarin course is important?
-The speaker believes it is important to add Hokkien to the Mandarin course because it helps learners become more culturally integrated and 'as Taiwanese as possible,' reflecting the linguistic diversity of Taiwan.

Outlines

00:00

📹 Introduction to Today's Video

The video begins with a warm welcome from the host, who introduces the topic of the day: Hawking words. The host explains that Taiwanese people primarily speak Mandarin Chinese but also have other languages, including Hawkin, Haka, and various Aboriginal languages. The host expresses a personal connection to Hokkien and notes the unfortunate decline in its usage among younger generations. The video aims to teach viewers some common Hokkien words that are widely recognized in Taiwan, even among those who do not speak the language fluently.

🗣️ Common Hokkien Words Used in Taiwan

The host highlights that even non-Hokkien speakers in Taiwan often recognize and use certain Hokkien words. They provide examples, explaining that it's common to hear people switch between Mandarin and Hokkien in conversation. The video will demonstrate specific Hokkien words and phrases, indicated by different font colors for clarity. The host promises to teach these words to help viewers impress their Taiwanese friends.

😲 Shock Your Friends with These Hokkien Words

The host introduces the word 'beh-siang,' used to describe bad behavior. They provide an example of its usage in a conversational context. Next, the host explains the word 'pa-bo,' which means 'idiot,' and describes how it can be used to refer to both people and actions. These examples illustrate how Hokkien words can be seamlessly integrated into Mandarin conversations.

📱 Good Stuff and Promotions

The word 'hau-kang' is introduced, meaning 'good stuff' or 'good information.' The host explains that this term is often used in promotional contexts, such as advertisements or app downloads, to entice people with promises of valuable content or discounts. This term is emphasized as an important part of everyday language in Taiwan.

👍 Excellent and Great in Hokkien

The host teaches the word 'sun,' which means 'excellent' or 'great' in Hokkien. They mention that even on platforms like Facebook, the 'like' button uses the word 'sun.' This demonstrates how deeply rooted Hokkien words are in Taiwanese culture, regardless of whether people primarily speak Mandarin or Hokkien.

🎓 Learning Hokkien and Taiwanese Mandarin

The video concludes with the host expressing hope that viewers enjoyed the lesson. They mention a new course they are developing, 'Learn Taiwanese Mandarin from Zero to Hero,' which incorporates Hokkien phrases. The host highlights the uniqueness of adding Hokkien to a Mandarin course, aiming to help learners become as Taiwanese as possible. Viewers are encouraged to check out the course for more learning opportunities.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Hawking

Hawking, also known as Hokkien, is a term used to describe a Chinese dialect spoken widely in Taiwan and among overseas Chinese communities. It is one of the key languages in the video, illustrating the linguistic diversity in Taiwan. The video emphasizes the importance of Hawking as a cultural identifier, even among Mandarin speakers.

💡Mandarin Chinese

Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan, as mentioned in the script. It represents the standard language used for formal communication and education. The video contrasts Mandarin with other languages like Hawking, highlighting the coexistence of multiple languages in Taiwan.

💡Aboriginal languages

Aboriginal languages refer to the indigenous languages of Taiwan, spoken by the various ethnic groups that are native to the island. The script mentions these languages to showcase the rich linguistic heritage of Taiwan, beyond the more widely spoken Mandarin and Hawking.

💡Cultural integration

Cultural integration in the script refers to the blending of different languages and cultural elements in Taiwan. The video describes how Hawking words are often mixed with Mandarin in everyday speech, indicating a seamless integration of cultures.

💡Language preservation

Language preservation is a theme in the video that addresses the concern of younger generations losing the ability to speak Hawking. The script suggests that preserving these languages is important for maintaining cultural identity.

💡Hawking phrases

Hawking phrases are specific expressions in the Hokkien language that are highlighted in the script. The video aims to teach viewers some common Hawking phrases to better understand and engage with the culture of Taiwan.

💡Code-switching

Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages in conversation, as mentioned in the script. It is a common occurrence in Taiwan where Mandarin and Hawking are often used interchangeably.

💡Like button

The 'like button' in the script is an example of how Hawking has influenced digital culture, with the word 'Sun' being used to express liking something, derived from the Hokkien word.

💡Promotion

Promotion in the script refers to marketing strategies that use Hawking phrases like 'hulkang' to attract customers, showing the language's influence in commercial contexts.

💡Language course

The language course mentioned in the script is a course designed to teach the basics of Hawking to beginners, highlighting the importance of language learning.

Highlights

Introduction to the video and today's topic: learning some Hokkien words.

Explanation of Taiwan's linguistic diversity, including Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, and Aboriginal languages.

Personal note on the speaker's ability to speak Hokkien and the decreasing number of young people who speak it.

Mention that some Hokkien words are widely known even by people who don't speak the language.

Example of code-switching between Mandarin and Hokkien in everyday conversations.

Introduction of specific Hokkien words: the first example being 'beh tahan' to express frustration.

Usage example of 'beh tahan' in a conversation about a bad date.

Introduction of the word 'gong kia' meaning 'idiot' to describe someone's stupidity.

Explanation of the phrase 'ho kang' meaning 'good stuff' or 'good information'.

Mention that 'ho kang' is often used in promotions or websites offering discounts or deals.

Introduction of the word 'siong' meaning 'excellent' or 'great'.

Observation that some Hokkien words are deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture and are used in daily life, regardless of whether people speak Mandarin or Hokkien.

Note about the addition of Hokkien phrases to the speaker's course 'Learn Taiwanese Mandarin from Zero to Hero'.

Emphasis on the uniqueness of including Hokkien in a Mandarin course and the speaker's goal of making learners feel more Taiwanese.

Encouragement to check out the course for more information and to learn from the speaker.