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Idioms...Hokkien style

When words fail, use idioms… Hokkien style (42)

Hokkien, on the tongues of Tsinoys, has grown and evolved, taking on a life of its own. Sometimes words simply fail us. With some creativity, Tsinoys have strung together words to form colorful phrases that simply hit the bull’s eye. Here are some expressions unique to Hokkien as favored by Tsinoys.

稱稱彩彩 tsin tsin tsai tsai anything will do anything will do
里里六六 dee dee lak lak careless not very cautious in doing things, meaning confused, muddle-headed
熟賽人 shiak sai lang a familiar person an acquainted or familiar person
一世人 tsit see lang whole life one’s whole lifetime
粗人不會做細餜(幼粿) tso lang bwe tsue eu ke rough person can’t bake fine cake one who is not capable to do fine things