First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest | September 20-October 3, 2016 | vol. 29, No. 8 issue |
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.
| Idioms, expressions 斤斤計較 | Hokkien pronunciation kun kun ke kao | Literal translation to haggle over every ounce | Meaning to be particular about small things |
| 懊頭懊面 | ao t’ao ao bin | ugly head and face | frowning |
| 天天特特 | t’ian t’ian t’o t’o | playful actions | naughty, mischievous |
| 吞吞吐吐 | t’un t’un t’o t’o | swallowing and spitting | hesitant |
| 雨濕水滴 | ho tam tsui ti | rain and water drops | wet weather |