著
tio̍h
The Hokkien word for correct is 著 (tio̍h).
The word 著 is commonly used to mean 'correct' or 'right' in the context of an answer or a fact.
Meaning: free from error (adj)
Which one should you use?
To say something is 'incorrect' or 'wrong', you add the negation particle m̄ to the front to get m̄-tio̍h.
How do you pronounce it?
tio̍h
Did you know?
- In Hokkien, tio̍h is used in the phrase for 'to be caught', implying the person was 'correctly' located by the authorities.
- When used as a resultative verb, 著 indicates that an action was successfully completed, such as 'seeing' someone rather than just 'looking'.
- In some dialects, tio̍h is used to describe a coincidence, as if two events 'correctly' aligned by chance.
Examples in context
- 這个答案是著的。tsia ê tuân án sī tsio̍k ê.This answer is correct.
Example conversation
Two students are checking their homework together.
- 國強 Kok-kiang佳怡，這題的答案著嗎？Ka-î, che tê ê tām-àn chò mā?Jiayi, is the answer to this question correct?
- 佳怡 Chia-yi對，國強，這題著。tùi, Kok-kiông, che tê chò.Yes, Guoqiang, this one is correct.
- 國強 Kok-kiang那下一題呢？ná xià it tê nî?How about the next question?
- 佳怡 Chia-yi那題毋著，你要改。ná tê m̄-chò, lí ài kái.That one is not correct, you need to change it.
