無代誌
bô tāi-chì
The English phrase "no problem" can be expressed in Hokkien as 無代誌 (bô tāi-chì).
無代誌 is used to respond to an apology or a thank you, indicating that the situation is not a concern or that no debt is owed.
Meaning: no apology is necessary (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 無 (bô) meaning "no/without" and 代誌 (tāi-chì) meaning "matter/thing/affair".
How do you pronounce it?
bô tāi-chì
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, the phrase 無代誌 can be used to describe a person who is carefree or lacks ambition, essentially meaning they have 'no affairs' to worry about.
- While it means 'no problem', the word 代誌 on its own can also mean 'a story' or 'a piece of gossip'.
- Adding the particle 啦 (la) to the end of 無代誌 can actually change the phrase from a polite response into a dismissive 'whatever' or 'forget about it'.
Examples in context
- 無代誌，毋使真客氣。bô tāi-tsì, m̄-sái tsin kè-khì.No problem, no need to be so polite.
- 無代誌啦，我會處理。bô tāi-tsì–lah, guá ē tsu-lí.No problem, I will handle it.
Example conversation
Shufen accidentally bumps into Jianhong in a hallway.
- 淑芬 Siok-fun對不起，我無意圖的。tuì-pì-sī, góa bô ì-tú êI'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
- 建宏 Kian-hong無代誌，沒關係。bô tāi-tsì, bô kuan-hēNo problem, it's okay.
- 淑芬 Siok-fun你沒事吧？lí bô-sū-pā?Are you alright?
- 建宏 Kian-hong我沒事，沒關係。góa bô-sū, bô kuan-hēI'm fine, it's no big deal.
