胳下空
koh-ē-khang
The English phrase armpit is translated into Hokkien as 胳下空 (koh-ē-khang).
The term refers to the cavity beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder.
Meaning: the cavity beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Singapore Hokkien, the term kuǹ-kok is used for armpit.
How do you pronounce it?
koh-ē-khang
Did you know?
- In some Hokkien communities, it is considered more polite to describe the 'empty space' under the arm than to use a direct anatomical term for the armpit.
- Hokkien uses a similar logic of 'hollows' to describe various depressions across the human body, not just the armpit.
- Depending on the speaker's region, the term for armpit may literally translate to 'arm-bottom-hole', emphasizing a tactile and spatial description.
Example conversation
Shufen notices a smell while standing next to Zhiming.
- 淑芬 Siok-fun志明，你的胳下空有味道。Chì-mîng, lí ê kak-hā-khàng ū bī-tō.Zhiming, your armpit has a smell.
- 志明 Chi-ming真的嗎？我很尷尬。chin-sī–má? guá hěn káng-kài.Really? I'm so embarrassed.
- 淑芬 Siok-fun沒關係，快去洗一下。bô-kuān-kè, kuài khì sé it-ē.It's okay, go wash it quickly.
- 志明 Chi-ming好，我現在就去。hó, guá chiān-chài tiū khì.Okay, I'll go right now.
