數字
sò͘-jī
The English phrase numbers is translated into Hokkien as 數字 (sò͘-jī).
The term 數字 refers to the symbols or words used to represent a specific quantity or amount.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hokkien, specific digits are expressed as follows: 0 is líng, 1 is chi̍t, 3 is sam, 5 is gō, 6 is lio̍k, 7 is tshit and 9 is káu.
How do you pronounce it?
sò͘-jī
Did you know?
- The number káu (9) is frequently avoided in certain contexts because it sounds similar to the word for 'long suffering' or 'pain' in some dialects.
- The digit 6, lio̍k, is often associated with smoothness or luck in many Chinese-influenced Hokkien contexts, making it a 'favoured' number in certain social settings.
- When giving phone numbers or room numbers, Hokkien speakers often use the number líng (0), but in some traditional contexts, they may use a word meaning 'empty'.
Examples in context
- 我記袂清楚這些數字。guá kì bē tshing tsi̍tsē tsu-tsí.I cannot remember these numbers clearly.
Example conversation
Guoqiang is helping Shufen check a list of data.
- 國強 Kok-kiang淑芬，這排數字對毋對？Sio̍k-hun, che pâi sū-jī tùi-m̄-tùi?Shufen, are these numbers correct?
- 淑芬 Siok-fun我毋知，我想欲再檢查一次。Góa m̄-chai, góa sióng-beh chài kiám-cha it-chām.I don't know, I want to check again.
- 國強 Kok-kiang你看這個數字是不是寫錯？Lí khuànn che ê sū-jī sî-si̍t siá chho̍h?Do you think this number is written wrong?
- 淑芬 Siok-fun對，國強，你發現得真快。Tùi, Kok-kiông, lí hat-hiàn-tit chin khuài.Yes, Guoqiang, you noticed very quickly.
