Adverbs in Penang Hokkien

Adverbs are words that change or modify the meaning of verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, clauses and sentences. They are the catch-all modifier for all types of words other than nouns, which are modified using adjectives.

In Penang Hokkien, most adverbs are fashioned out of adjectives through reduplication (Malay: kata ganda). The resulting adverb is like the adjective spoken twice. If the adjective is an Irregular Word affected by Tone Sandhi, then the first instance is in the Modified Form while the second in the Basic Form.

Adjectives that are Regular Words form adverbs by reduplicating without tone change. ban3
slow

ban3-ban3
slowly Adjectives that are Irregular Words form adverbs by changing the tone of the first instance to the Modified Form, while the second remains in the Basic Form. khuai3
quick

khuai1-khuai3
quickly Adverbs can be placed at the front or end of sentence: Khuai1-khuai3 lai2!
Come quickly!

Ciak1 ban3-ban3.
Eat slowly.

Ban3-ban3 knia2.
Walk slowly. (Idiomatic phrase for "so long" or "see you") The adverb ho1-ho4 is commonly used to mean "well", "carefully" or "properly". Ceh3 ho1-ho4.
Sit properly.

Cit1-boey1 hu2 uh3 chi3, to3long3 ciak1 ho1-ho4.
This fish has bones, please eat carefully.

Penang Hokkien Grammar

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