甚麼時陣
sím-mî-sî-chūn
The Hokkien phrase for "when" (as a conjunction meaning "as soon as" or "at the time that") is 甚麼時陣 (sím-mî-sî-chūn).
This phrase is used as a conjunction to indicate the timing of an event, functioning as "as soon as" or "at the time that".
Meaning: as soon as, at the time that (conj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 甚麼 (what), 時 (time) and 陣 (a period or interval/classifier for time), literally meaning "what time period/moment".
How do you pronounce it?
sím-mî-sî-chūn
Did you know?
- In Hokkien, the word 陣 (chūn) used in 甚麼時陣 is also used to count bursts of laughter or short periods of rain, treating these events as single 'intervals'.
- In traditional Hokkien script, the characters in 甚麼時陣 are often replaced by colloquial characters that are not used in standard Mandarin, reflecting the language's unique identity.
- While 甚麼時陣 asks 'when', Hokkien speakers often use a different phrase 彼時 (pí-sî) to say 'at that time', creating a sharp distinction between asking a question and stating a past moment.
Example conversation
Zhi Ming and Shu Fen are planning a dinner.
- 志明 Chi-ming淑芬，你甚麼時陣欲食飯？Sio̍k-hun, lí sim-mih sî-tsìn beh tsia̍h-pn̄g?Shu Fen, when do you want to eat?
- 淑芬 Siok-fun我六點鐘就準備好。guá liuk-tiám-tsîng tsiū tsún-pí hó.I will be ready at six o'clock.
- 志明 Chi-ming太好，我六點等妳。thài hó, guá liuk-tiám tán lí.Great, I will wait for you at six.
- 淑芬 Siok-fun好，到時見。hó, kàu-sî kiàn.Okay, see you then.
