食饱未？
chia̍h-pá–bē?
In Hokkien, 'have you eaten?' is expressed as 食饱未？ (chia̍h-pá–bē?)
This phrase is often used as a casual greeting similar to 'How are you?' rather than a literal inquiry into one's hunger. You can add the word 'mih' at the end of the phrase to ask 'Have you eaten rice?' or 'Have you had lunch?'
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of '食' (eat), '饱' (full/satisfied) and '未' (not yet/question particle).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Malaysia, especially in Penang, the informal greeting Chiak boey? is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle '未' (bē) at the end of the phrase functions as a question marker asking 'is it so or not?'
How do you pronounce it?
chia̍h-pá–bē?
When do people say it?
When someone greets you with this phrase, a common way to respond if you have already eaten is 食饱了 (chia̍h-pá-liáu), meaning 'Eaten full/I'm full'. If you have not eaten, you can respond with 未食 (buē-chia̍h), meaning 'Not yet eaten'.
Did you know?
- The word 食 (chia̍h) is used in various idioms to describe 'eating' a loss or 'eating' a grudge, showing how the concept of consumption extends to emotional experiences.
- In certain traditional settings, answering 'no' to this question might actually prompt the asker to immediately provide food, making it a functional part of hospitality etiquette.
- In Hokkien, the concept of being 'full' 饱 (pá) is often linked to a sense of overall contentment and satisfaction, not just stomach capacity.
Examples in context
- 食饱未？tsia̍h pá bē?Have you eaten yet?
- 阿伯，食饱未？a-peh, tsia̍h pá bē?Uncle, have you eaten?
- 你食饱未？我请你食面。lí tsia̍h pá bē? guá tshing lí tsia̍h mī.Have you eaten? I'll treat you to noodles.
Example conversation
Two friends run into each other on the street.
- 國強 Kok-kiang佳怡，食饱未？Ka-î, si̍k-pá-bē?Jiayi, have you eaten yet?
- 佳怡 Chia-yi我食饱矣，國強。guá si̍k-pá-ah, Kok-kiáng.I've already eaten, Guoqiang.
- 國強 Kok-kiang好，欲去佗位？hó, beh khì tó-uī?Good, where are you heading?
- 佳怡 Chia-yi我要去買東西。guá beh khì cài tōng-si.I am going to buy some things.
