灶脚
tsàu-kha
The Hokkien word for kitchen is 灶脚 (tsàu-kha).
灶脚 is used to refer to the room or area where cooking takes place.
Meaning: room (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 灶脚 means 'stove foot' or 'stove corner', which refers to the area surrounding the cooking stove.
How do you pronounce it?
tsàu-kha
Did you know?
- During the Lunar New Year, it is common to offer sugar cane or honey to the 灶君 in the 灶脚 to 'sweeten' his words when he reports to the Jade Emperor.
- In traditional Hokkien households, the 灶脚 was often the spiritual center of the home because it housed the 'Kitchen God' or 灶君, who reports the family's behavior to the heavens.
- In Hokkien culture, the 灶脚 is traditionally considered a female-dominated space, and in strict ancestral homes, men were sometimes discouraged from entering it.
Examples in context
- 灶脚佇佗个位仔？tsò-kha tī tó-ê uī-á?Where is the kitchen?
- 伊佇灶脚內。i tī tsò-kha lāi.He is in the kitchen.
- 灶脚真髒。tsò-kha chin tsaⁿ.The kitchen is very dirty.
Example conversation
Meiling is asking Jiahao for help in the house.
- 家豪 Ka-hao美玲，你想做什麼？Bí-lêng, lí siáng chò siá-mih?Meiling, what do you want to do?
- 美玲 Mei-ling我想在灶脚煮飯。guá siáng chài chò-kha chún-phàn.I want to cook rice in the kitchen.
- 家豪 Ka-hao好，我幫你準備。hó, guá pang lí chún-pì.Okay, I will help you prepare.
- 美玲 Mei-ling家豪，你真好。Ka-hâu, lí chin hó.Jiahao, you are very kind.
