黃瓜
n̂g-kue
The Hokkien word for cucumber is 黃瓜 (n̂g-kue).
黃瓜 refers to the edible fruit known as a cucumber.
Meaning: edible fruit (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 黃 (n̂g), meaning yellow and 瓜 (kue), meaning melon or gourd.
How do you pronounce it?
n̂g-kue
Did you know?
- Hokkien speakers might use 瓜 (kue) as a slang term or a suffix in nicknames to describe someone who is perceived as simple or gullible.
- Although 黃瓜 literally means 'yellow melon', cucumbers in Hokkien regions are almost always green. The name refers to the yellow skin of the fruit when it is fully ripe and no longer edible.
- The word 瓜 (kue) is used for a wide variety of plants that English speakers distinguish, such as melons, gourds, pumpkins and squashes.
Examples in context
- 這粒黃瓜真甜。chit lia̍p hn̂g-kua tsin tiⁿ.This cucumber is very sweet.
Example conversation
Jiayi and Jiahao are preparing a salad in the kitchen.
- 佳怡 Chia-yi家豪，請幫我洗黃瓜。Ka-hâu, chhiáng pang guá sé huâng-kua.Jiahao, please help me wash the cucumber.
- 家豪 Ka-hao好，黃瓜放在佗位？hó, huâng-kua thàn-tsāi tó-uī?Okay, where is the cucumber?
- 佳怡 Chia-yi在桌頂的那條就是。tsāi toh-tíng ê na tiâu tsiū-sī.The one on the table is it.
- 家豪 Ka-hao我看到了，現在洗。guá khòaⁿ-tio̍h liáu, hiàn-tsai sé.I see it, I'll wash it now.
