動物
The Hokkien word for animal is 動物.
動物 refers to an organism other than a human.
Meaning: organism other than human (noun)
Did you know?
- The character 動 in 動物 literally means 'to move' or 'to stir', making the phrase more like 'moving thing' rather than the Latin-based English 'animal' which implies 'soul' or 'breath'.
- While 動物 is the formal term, Hokkien speakers often use the word 畜生 to refer to livestock or animals in a more colloquial or derogatory sense.
- In Hokkien, the word 動物 is used for any non-human organism, but it can also be used metaphorically in certain contexts to describe someone who acts purely on instinct rather than reason.
Example conversation
Jia Hao and Xiao Wen are visiting a pet cafe.
- 家豪 Ka-hao曉雯，你看這裡有很多動物。Hiáu-bûn, lí khuànn chia ū chin choē dōng-u̍t.Xiao Wen, look, there are many animals here.
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun對，這些動物好可愛。tùi, che-se dōng-u̍t hó khó-ài.Yes, these animals are so cute.
- 家豪 Ka-hao你想摸摸看這隻動物嗎？lí siūⁿ beh moh-moh khuànn che chia dōng-u̍t má?Do you want to try petting this animal?
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun我想，我想摸它。guá siūⁿ, guá beh moh i.I do, I want to pet it.
