明仔日
bîn-á-ji̍t
The Hokkien word for tomorrow is 明仔日 (bîn-á-ji̍t).
明仔日 is an adverb used to refer to the day after the present day.
Meaning: on the day after the present day (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 明 (bright), 仔 (a diminutive suffix) and 日 (day).
How do you pronounce it?
bîn-á-ji̍t
Did you know?
- In Hokkien, the word 明仔日 is often used figuratively to mean 'some time in the future' rather than the literal next day.
- The structure of 明仔日 is a classic example of how Hokkien uses diminutive particles to soften or 'animate' nouns, a feature often missing in formal Mandarin.
- While 明仔日 is standard, some speakers use 明日 in formal writing, but saying 明日 in casual conversation can sound unnaturally stiff or like a textbook.
Examples in context
- 明仔日會落雨無？bîng-á-jit ē lo̍h-hōo bô?Will it rain tomorrow?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding when to have lunch.
- 建宏 Kian-hong美玲，咱明天去食午飯？Bí-lîng, lán mîng-á-jit khì chia̍h ngó͘-pàn?Meiling, shall we go have lunch tomorrow?
- 美玲 Mei-ling明仔日我不方便。mîng-á-jit guá put-piān.Tomorrow is not convenient for me.
- 建宏 Kian-hong咁後天可以嗎？án-ne hâu-ten khé-í mē?Then is the day after tomorrow okay?
- 美玲 Mei-ling後天沒問題。hâu-ten bô bûn-tê.The day after tomorrow is no problem.
