恬恬
tiām-tiām
The Hokkien phrase for "Shut up" is 恬恬 (tiām-tiām).
恬恬 is used as an interjection to tell someone to stop talking.
Meaning: "Stop talking." (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
tiām-tiām
Did you know?
- The phrase is often used in lullabies to tell a crying baby to be 'quiet' and 'still'.
- If you use this phrase with a much older person, it may be perceived as significantly more disrespectful than the English 'shut up'.
- The character 恬 is often associated with 'contentment' in classical texts, creating a stark contrast with its modern use as a command to stop talking.
Examples in context
- 好啦，恬恬啦。Hó lah, tiām-tiām lah.Okay, just shut up.
Example conversation
Zhiming and Xiaowen are arguing in a library.
- 志明 Chi-ming你為什麼要這樣做？Lí vī-siáⁿ-uē beh án-né chò?Why did you do it this way?
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun我想說這樣比較快。Góa siáng-set án-né khì-khàu khài.I thought this way would be faster.
- 志明 Chi-ming這裡在圖書館，你恬恬！Chit-ē chāi thôo-su-kuán, lí tiām-tiām!We are in the library, shut up!
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun好啦，我知道了。Hó lah, góa tsai-tiu.Fine, I get it.
