In this episode, we’ve talked about how to express the four seasons and common weather conditions in Taiwanese. Also, we learned some names of seasonal fruits.
(These show notes use tables and rich formatting. Please visit the episode webpage for an optimal viewing experience.)
SENTENCES AND VOCABULARY
| TAIWANESE | ENGLISH |
| sù-kuì | the four seasons |
| tshun-hā-tshiu-tang | a common expression for the four seasons. (literally: “spring-summer-fall-winter”) |
| tshun-thinn | spring, springtime |
| jua̍h-thinn / jua̍h--lâng / hā-thinn | summer, summertime |
| jua̍h | hot or warm
Usage note: “jua̍h” is used when talking about the weather, environment, or one’s own feeling of body temperature. |
| Guā-kháu tsin jua̍h. | It is hot outside. |
| Guá tsin jua̍h! | I’m really hot! (the sun is shining, and you’re starting to sweat and feel hot) |
| sio | hot or warm
Usage note: “sio” is used to describe things or body parts, usually something that makes you feel warm or hot when you touch it. |
| Thng tsin sio. | The soup is hot. |
| tshiu-thinn | fall, autumn |
| Tiong-tshiu-tseh | Mid-Autumn Festival |
| liâng | cool |
| kuânn-thinn / kuânn--lâng / tang-thinn | winter, wintertime |
| kuânn | cold
Usage note: “kuânn” is used when talking about the weather, environment, or one’s own feeling of body temperature. |
| Guā-kháu tsin kuânn. | Outside it’s really cold. |
| líng | cold
Usage note: “líng” is used to describe things or body parts, usually something that makes you feel cold when you touch it. It can also be used to talk about weather or environment. |
| Tsuí tsin líng. | The water is cold. |
| I ê tshiú tsin líng. | Her hands are cold. |
| hó-thinn | nice weather; sunny, clear weather |
| Kin-á-ji̍t hó-thinn. | Today is a nice day, or a sunny, clear day. |
| pháinn-thinn | bad weather |
| oo-im-thinn | cloudy weather |
| lo̍h-seh | to snow |
| lo̍h | to fall; to come down |
| Guā-kháu teh lo̍h-seh. | It’s snowing outside.
Grammar note: “teh + verb” is similar to “be + v-ing” in English. It’s a way to mark that the action is continuous or ongoing. |
| lo̍h-hōo | to rain |
| sai-pak-hōo | a natural phenomenon of sudden afternoon thunderstorms during the summer |
| Hōo tsin tuā. | The rain is heavy. |
| Hong tsin thàu. | The wind is strong. |
| luî-kong | thunder |
| tân-luî-kong | to thunder |
| sih-nah | lightning |
| luî-kong-hōo | thunderstorm |
| sip | humid |
| La̍k--gue̍h kàu tsa̍p--gue̍h ū tsin tsē hong-thai. | From June until October, there are many typhoons. |
| hong-thai | typhoon; hurricane |
| kué-tsí / tsuí-kó | fruit |
| “Strawberry“ Tâi-gí án-tsuánn kóng? | How do you say “strawberry” in Taiwanese? |
| tsháu-m̂ / tshì-pho | strawberry |
| kiat-á | kumquat |
| sik-khia | custard apple, sugar apple, or sweetsop |
| ông-lâi | pineapple |
| tshiū-m̂ | bayberry |
| muê-á | plum |
| suāinn-á | mango |
| lāi-tsi | lychee |
| thô-á | peach |
| hué-liông-kó | dragonfruit |
| khī / khī-á | persimmon |
| iū-á | pomelo |
*Syllables that have been greyed out require tone changes.
For more about seasons, weather and fruits, go check out our downloadable workbook! You’ll also find additional vocabulary with characters, pronunciation notes, grammar explanations, culture tips, and fun exercises to help your practice.
Music Credit: TeknoAXE