早安
gáu-án
The English phrase "good morning" is translated into Hokkien as 早安 (gáu-án).
早安 is used when seeing someone for the first time in the morning.
Meaning: when seeing someone for the first time in the morning (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the characters for early (早) and peace/safety (安), literally meaning "early peace".
How do you pronounce it?
gáu-án
Did you know?
- The character 安 in 早安 is a pictograph showing a woman 女 next to a roof 宀. This suggests that 'peace' or 'safety' is found when a woman is inside the home.
- While 早安 is used in formal writing, many Hokkien speakers in daily life simply say 食飽未 (have you eaten?), which serves as a multipurpose greeting regardless of the time of day.
- If you are greeting an elder, it is more culturally appropriate to use their title than to use a generic 'good morning' phrase.
Examples in context
- 大家早安。ta̍k-ke tsá-an.Good morning, everyone.
Example conversation
Jianhong and Xiaowen meet at the office entrance.
- 建宏 Kian-hong曉雯，早安！Xiǎowén, chá-an!Xiaowen, good morning!
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun早安，建宏！chá-an, Jiànhóng!Good morning, Jianhong!
- 建宏 Kian-hong你今日看起來真精神。lí kîm-á-jit khàn-khí-lâi chin chīn-shîn.You look very energetic today.
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun謝謝你。chia̍h-siā lí.Thank you.
