洗身躯
sé-sin-khu
The English phrase 'shower' can be translated into Hokkien as 洗身躯 (sé-sin-khu).
This phrase is used to describe the act of washing one's body, which covers both taking a shower and taking a bath.
Meaning: device for bathing (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
sé-sin-khu
Did you know?
- The word 身躯 (sin-khu) is often used in folk songs and opera to describe a fragile or aging physical frame, adding a layer of melancholy to the word for 'body'.
- If you are talking about a water shower head specifically, many speakers will bypass the local term and use a phonetic loanword from English or Mandarin instead.
- Because 洗身躯 focuses on the 'body', the phrase is often used as a general term that encompasses bathing a child or an elderly relative, not just oneself.
Example conversation
Jianhong and Xiaowen are discussing the bathroom renovation.
- 建宏 Kian-hong這間浴室需要洗身躯。che kiam iú-sut su-iào sé-sin-khu.This bathroom needs a shower.
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun對, 我也想欲換新的。tùi, guá iā sióng-beh huàn sin-ê.Yes, I want to change to a new one too.
- 建宏 Kian-hong你要買哪一種洗身躯？lí béu bé ná it-tsóng sé-sin-khu?Which kind of shower do you want to buy?
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun簡單的就可以了。kián-tan-ê kiù khé-í liáu.A simple one will do.
