In this episode, we learned how to say I want something, I’d like to do something, and how to order food.
(These show notes use tables and rich formatting. Please visit the episode webpage for an optimal viewing experience.
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TAIWANESE |
ENGLISH |
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Guá tsit-má tsiok iau--ê! |
I’m so hungry now! |
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Guá beh tsi̍t ê nn̄g-piánn. |
I want an egg pancake. |
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Guá beh khì tsá-tǹg-tiàm. |
I’m going to the breakfast shop. |
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Lí siūnn-beh tsia̍h siánn? |
What would you like to eat? / What are you thinking of having? |
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Guá siūnn-beh tsia̍h tshài-thâu-kué. |
I’d like to eat turnip cakes. |
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beh |
1) to want (+ object) |
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siūnn-beh |
would like to + verb, to think about + v-ing |
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ke |
to increase, to add (to the current amount); to be extra, more |
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thâu-ke |
owner, boss, head |
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tsá-tǹg-tiàm |
breakfast shop |
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nn̄g-piánn |
egg pancake |
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tshài-thâu-kué |
turnip cake |
*Syllables that require tone changes are greyed out.
For more vocabulary and exercises, be sure to check out our downloadable workbook.
GRAMMAR AND USAGE NOTE OF “BEH” AND “SIŪNN-BEH”
In this episode, we’ve compared two similar verbs “beh” and “siūnn-beh”. Here is a summary of their usages and differences.
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As a helping verb |
As a verb on its own |
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beh |
to want to + verb will/be going to + verb Usage note: to express decision and will; more certain than “siūnn-beh” |
to want + sth. (also: would like + sth.) Usage note: “Guá beh...” can be used to order food and it is not considered impolite or direct as it might in English. |
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siūnn-beh |
would like to + verb to think about + v-ing Usage note: to express a thought, an idea or planning; less certain than “beh” |
-- Usage note: “siūnn-beh” is only used as a helping verb. |
- “Beh” and “siūnn-beh” are similar to “want” and “would like” in English and both of them are usually used as a helping verb.
- The “siūnn” in “siūnn-beh” means “to think”. When you use “siūnn-beh + verb”, it means you are “thinking” about it and thus it implies more uncertainty than “beh + verb”.
- “Beh” is sometimes used as a verb on its own, while “siūnn-beh” is only used as a helping verb.
- “Guá beh...” or “Guá beh tsia̍h/lim/ài...” is commonly used when ordering food or buying things. Although it may sound like “I want” something, it’s not considered impolite or direct as it might in English.
ONE BITE CHALLENGE: I’M SO HUNGRY THAT MY STOMACH IS GROWLING
For all those overachievers out there, we will try to throw in a little something each episode that is a bit more challenging.
Here is the One Bite Challenge for this episode:
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“Thâu-ke, |
khah |
kín |
--leh--ooh.” |
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shop-owner |
more |
fast/hurry |
PARTICLE |
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“Guá |
í-king |
iau |
kah |
tuā-tn̂g |
kò |
sió-tn̂g |
--lah!” |
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I |
already |
hungry |
to (the extent) |
large-intestine |
sue |
small-intestine |
PARTICLE |
Please hurry up! I’m so hungry that my stomach is growling.
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TAIWANESE |
ENGLISH |
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Khah kín--leh! |
Hurry up! Faster! |
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í-king |
already |
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kah |
to the extent that..., to the point where… Originally from “kàu” (to arrive, to reach, until) |
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kò |
to accuse, to sue |
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tuā-tn̂g |
large intestine |
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sió-tn̂g |
small intestine |
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tuā-tn̂g kò sió-tn̂g |
a Taiwanese saying meaning to be so hungry that your stomach is growling |
Music Credit: TeknoAXE