印度人
ìn-tōo-lâng
The Hokkien word for Indian is 印度人 (ìn-tōo-lâng).
印度人 refers to an Indian person. In Hokkien, this term is typically used even when you intend to use 'Indian' as an adjective, such as when describing Indian food.
Meaning: of India (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 印度 (ìn-tōo), which means India and 人 (lâng), which means person.
Which one should you use?
While 印度人 refers to an Indian person, you should use the shorter form 印度 to refer specifically to the country of India itself.
How do you pronounce it?
ìn-tōo-lâng
Did you know?
- If you want to describe food as having an 'Indian' flavor, Hokkien speakers often use the phrase 印度味 (ìn-tōo-bī), which literally translates to 'India taste'.
- Because Hokkien is widely used in the diaspora, the way a person says 印度人 might vary slightly in tone depending on whether they are in Taiwan or in a Southeast Asian country like Singapore.
- The term 印度 (ìn-tōo) uses characters that are also used in Mandarin, but the Hokkien pronunciation is distinct, following the Min Nan linguistic tradition.
Example conversation
Talking about a new coworker at the office.
- 建宏 Kian-hong建宏，新來的同事是印度人喔。Kiàn-hông, sin lâi ê thóng-sū sī Ìn-tōo-lâng o.Jianhong, the new colleague is Indian.
- 美玲 Mei-ling喔，伊來自佗邊？O, i lâi-chhut tó-pîng?Oh, where is he from?
- 建宏 Kian-hong聽講伊是印度人。thiann-kóng i sī Ìn-tōo-lâng.I heard he is Indian.
- 美玲 Mei-ling原來如此，真歡喜認識伊。ên-lâi rû-tsí, chin huann-hí rin-sik i.I see, I'm very glad to meet him.
