你咧創啥？
lí teh tshòng siánn?
你咧創啥？ (lí teh tshòng siánn?) is the Hokkien way to say "what are you doing?"
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about the activity they are currently performing. While the standard way to express "doing what" involves the components of 做什麼 (tsò-mih), you may also encounter the variation 做啥米 (tsò-suah-bí) due to historical influences.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase follows a Subject + Progressive Marker + Verb + Question Word structure. The particle 咧 (teh) is used to indicate that the action is ongoing.
How do you pronounce it?
lí teh tshòng siánn?
Did you know?
- When used as a rhetorical question in a conflict, 你咧創啥？ can function as a way to tell someone to 'stop bothering me' or 'mind your own business'.
- If the progressive marker 咧 (teh) is used with a sharp, falling tone, the phrase can shift from a curious question to an accusation, effectively meaning 'What on earth are you doing?!'
- Hokkien is a tonal language, so changing the pitch of the word 啥 (siánn) can transform the sentence from 'What are you doing?' into 'Which one are you doing?'
Example conversation
Guoqiang enters the room and sees Jiayi busy with something.
- 國強 Kok-kiang佳怡，你咧創啥？Ka-î, lí leh chòng siá?Jiayi, what are you doing?
- 佳怡 Chia-yi我咧寫作業。guá leh sié-tsà-giā.I am doing my homework.
- 國強 Kok-kiang需要幫手無？su-iàu pang-siú bô?Do you need some help?
- 佳怡 Chia-yi不用，我會。pò-iòng, guá ē.No thanks, I can handle it.
