In this episode, we’ve learned several ways to say goodbye in Taiwanese.
(These show notes use tables and rich formatting. Please visit the episode webpage for an optimal viewing experience.)
| TAIWANESE | ENGLISH |
| Guá sing lâi-khì / Guá sing laih. | Bye! I should get going. |
| sing | first |
| lâi-khì / laih | to go, to leave (for); I’m going |
| Guá sing lâi tsáu. | Bye! I should run/go. |
| tsáu | to run |
| Guá sing sit-lé. | Sorry, I have to go. Please excuse me.
Usage note: this is a polite way to tell others you are leaving. |
| Tsài-kiàn. | See you later! See you!
Usage note: “Tsài-kiàn” tends to be used when you know you’ll see the other person again soon. Likely a recent borrowing from Mandarin. |
| Tsài-huē. | See you next time, see you again; Farewell!
Usage note: “Tsài-huē” sounds more open-ended than “tsài-kiàn” and is more often used in literary or formal language or in Taiwanese songs. Also commonly used when signing off a TV or radio show. |
| Sūn-kiânn. | Bye, Get home safely! Take care!
(literally: smooth-walk) Usage note: used as a reply by the person that stays (usually the host) to the other person that is leaving and says goodbye. |
*Syllables that require tone changes are greyed out.
If you want to get more exercise and extra vocabulary, go check out our downloadable workbook.
IT’S TÔNE 5 - REÂLLY?
Tone 5 is a Low Rising tone. You can think of it like when you can’t believe what someone has said to you, you might respond with a deep “Really?”
The tone mark for Tone 5 looks like a little hat, or rooftop. You can think of it as an arrow pointing upwards to help you remember that it’s a rising tone.
We’ve learned a few words that ends with Tone 5 in this episode:
“Sūn-kiânn” (have a safe journey back)
“Kiânn” (to walk)
We encourage you to relisten to these words and pay special attention to the rising melody of the syllable “kiânn”. You can also check out our workbook for some exercises on Tone 5.
If you want to know what tones the other syllables have changed to, we’ve marked them for you in our downloadable workbook. You'll also find additional vocabulary with characters, pronunciation notes, grammar explanations, culture tips, and fun exercises to help your practice. Go check it out!
Music Credit: TeknoAXE