啤酒
bì-lù
The English word beer is translated into Hokkien as 啤酒 (bì-lù).
啤酒 is a noun used to refer to the alcoholic beverage made from malt.
Meaning: alcoholic drink made of malt (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is bì-lù.
Did you know?
- The character 啤 used in 啤酒 is a 'phantom character' that has no meaning other than to represent the sound of the English word 'beer'.
- In Southeast Asian Hokkien, you might encounter the word 'bir', which is a direct loan from Malay, replacing the traditional 啤酒 in daily trade.
- In Taiwan, the social ritual of drinking 啤酒 often involves 'bottoms up' toasts where the glass must be emptied completely to show sincerity.
Examples in context
- 我想欲啉啤酒。guá siūⁿ-beh lim piá-chiú.I want to drink beer.
- 這款啤酒真好啉。che̍h khóan piá-chiú tsin hó lim.This kind of beer is very good to drink.
Example conversation
Guo Qiang and Jia Yi are at a restaurant.
- 國強 Kok-kiang佳怡，你要點啤酒嗎？Ka-î, lí beh tiám pí-chiú mǎ?Jia Yi, do you want to order beer?
- 佳怡 Chia-yi不要，我喝果汁就好。M-ài, guá hia̍t kué-chiú chiū-hó.No, I'll just have fruit juice.
- 國強 Kok-kiang那我點一瓶啤酒。Guá ná tiám chi̍t pîng pí-chiú.Then I will order one bottle of beer.
- 佳怡 Chia-yi好，你慢慢喝。Hó, lí mān-mān hia̍t.Okay, enjoy your drink.
