Greetings! If you’re interested in learning how to say “What are you doing?” in Taiwanese, also known as Hokkien or Minnan, you’ve come to the right place. Taiwanese is widely spoken in Taiwan and by overseas Taiwanese communities. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to ask this question, along with some tips, examples, and regional variations. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Ask “What Are You Doing?” in Taiwanese
If you’re speaking to someone in a formal or respectful context, here are a few ways to ask them what they are doing in Taiwanese:
- 你在做什麼？ (Lí tsāi tsò-mih?) — This is the most common and straightforward way to ask “What are you doing?” in a formal setting. The pronoun “你” (lí) means “you,” “在” (tsāi) indicates an ongoing action, and “做什麼” (tsò-mih) means “doing what.”
- 最近在忙什麼？ (Chūi-chìn tsāi bánn mih?) — This phrase translates to “What have you been busy with lately?” It expresses some concern about the other person’s activities and is suitable for formal conversations.
- 請問您在忙些什麼？ (Chhēng-mn̂g-lí tsāi bánn siánn-mih?) — When speaking to someone older or of higher status, you can use this phrase to politely inquire about their activities. “請問” (Chhēng-mn̂g) is a humble way to introduce a question, and “您” (lí) is the respectful form of “you.”
Informal Ways to Ask “What Are You Doing?” in Taiwanese
In casual or informal situations, you can use the following phrases to ask “What are you doing?” in Taiwanese:
- 你在做啥？ (Lí tsāi tsó-á?) — This is a shortened and more relaxed version of the formal “你在做什麼？” (Lí tsāi tsò-mih?). The character “啥” (tsó-á) is a colloquial term for “什麼” (tsò-mih). This phrase is commonly used among friends and peers.
- 做咩？ (Tsò-miá?) — This phrase is an even more informal way to ask “What are you doing?” in Taiwanese. “咩” (miá) is a colloquial variant of “什麼” (tsò-mih). It’s often used among close friends or in casual settings.
- 有做什麼無？ (Ū tsò-mih bô?) — Translating to “Have you been doing anything?” this phrase is commonly used among young people or in more relaxed contexts.
Tips and Examples
To help you grasp the nuances of asking “What are you doing?” in Taiwanese, here are some additional tips and examples:
Tone Matters: Just like in any language, the tone of your voice can convey different meanings. Pronouncing phrases with a warm and friendly tone will resonate better with people.
Example Conversations:
Situation: Casual friends meeting on the street
Friend A: 「哈囉！你在做啥？」
(Hā-ló! Lí tsāi tsó-á?)
Hello! What are you doing?
Friend B: 「我在去買一些東西。你要一起嗎？」
(Góa tsāi khì tsinn-iá-thóng. Lí beh it-kī mā?)
I’m on my way to buy some things. Do you want to come along?
Situation: Asking a coworker during a break
Colleague A: 「請問您在忙些什麼？」
(Chhēng-mn̂g-lí tsāi bánn siánn-mih?)
May I ask what you are busy with?
Colleague B: 「最近在忙會議和報告準備。你需要幫忙嗎？」
(Chūi-chìn tsāi bánn ē-huì-gī hō-pò-tsiān-pài. Lí bī khī-tng pōan-hēlp mā?)
I’ve been busy with meetings and preparing reports lately. Do you need any help?
Regional Variations
Taiwanese has various regional variations, so it’s important to note how the question may differ across different regions:
Southern Taiwanese: In southern Taiwan, instead of saying “你” (lí), people might use “汝” (jī). For example, “汝在做啥？” (Jī tsāi tsó-á?) has the same meaning as “你在做啥？” (Lí tsāi tsó-á?).
Historical Influences: Due to historical influences, you may also encounter some Japanese loan words in Taiwanese. For example, “做什麼” (tsò-mih) can be replaced with “做啥米” (tsò-suah-bí), which sounds more like the Japanese word “何をする” (nani o suru).
Remember, while regional variations exist, the phrases mentioned earlier will be understood by Taiwanese speakers regardless of their origins or dialectal differences.
Congratulations! You’ve now learned how to ask “What are you doing?” in Taiwanese using both formal and informal expressions. Practice these phrases with native speakers, and you’ll soon become more confident in your linguistic abilities. Enjoy exploring the beauty of Taiwanese culture and language!
Happy learning!
