柑仔得
kam-á-tit
The Hokkien word for tomato is 柑仔得 (kam-á-tit).
柑仔得 is used to refer to the tomato as a fruit.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kam-á-tit.
Did you know?
- In some Hokkien speaking regions, the term 柑仔 is used for various citrus fruits, meaning the word for tomato literally links it to oranges and tangerines.
- The word 番 in the alternative term 番茄 historically referred to 'foreigners' or 'barbarians', marking the tomato as an exotic import from outside China.
- In traditional Hokkien medicine and diet, tomatoes are often treated as a 'cooling' food to balance 'heat' in the body.
Example conversation
Jiayi and Zhiming are shopping for groceries together.
- 佳怡 Chia-yi志明，咱買柑仔得吧。Zhiming, lán bé kàn-á-te pa.Zhiming, let's buy some tomatoes.
- 志明 Chi-ming好，欲買偌多？hó, beh bé jóa-tō?Okay, how many do we need?
- 佳怡 Chia-yi買三粒柑仔得就夠。bé sann-lia̍p kàn-á-te jiù kòngThree tomatoes will be enough.
- 志明 Chi-ming好，我來拿。hó, guá lâi láuOkay, I'll get them.
