Particles in Penang Hokkien
Particles are a group of words that help to convey nuances and very subtle meanings in Hokkien. Grammatical particles exist in English, as well, and include words such as well, ah, oh, eh, huh, then, right, say, anyway, alas, hmm, wow, to name some. In Malay, particular include pun, pula, nah, alamak, aduh, and so on.
In addition to the two main types of particles, there is also the possessive particle -eh3 and negation particle mm33.
Ah3 is an interrogative particle used in affirmative and negative sentences.
Ee1 kong4 hor3 lu4 thnia1 ah3?
He told you, doesn't he?
Lu4-eh3 chaek3 phua3 liau4 ah3?
Your book is torn already, isn't it?
Lu4 beh3hiau1 cho3 ah3?
You don't know how to do it, do you?
Boay3 is an interrogative particle to reconfirm, in affirmative sentences. It corresponds to "already" in English.
Ciak3 pa4 boay3?
Have you eaten? (This is a standard greeting in Hokkien)
Lu4 choay3 than3 liau4 boay3?
Have you found it already?
Boh2 is an interrogative particle used to verify or reconfirm a statement. It corresponds to "or not" in English.
Ee1 uh3 lai2 boh3?
He came, didn't he? (literally, He got come or not?)
Lu4 choay3 than3 liau4 boh2?
You've found it or not?
Ciau1 is a particle that translates roughly as "despite of", "still" and "nonetheless". It is used to show an action that is taking place despite of circumstances.
Lok3 hor3 tun4 ie1 ciau1 chut3 khee1 thit1tho2
Despite the rain he went out to play.
Penang-eh3 chu3 kui3 ta3pi1 lang3 tun1 ciau1 beh4.
Although houses in Penang are expensive, people still buy.
Eh2 is a particle that corresponds to "one" in "which one". It is also used as a relative pronoun in complex sentences.
Mummy, ee1 phak3 wah4 eh2!
Mummy, he's the one who beat me. (literally, "Mummy, he beat me one!")
Wah4 choay3 than3 eh2.
I'm the one who found it
Wah4 kong1 wa3 ka1 ie1 eh3 lang2 si3 wah1-eh3 tau3ke1.
The man whom I spoke to is my boss.
Eh3 is a possessive particle used for forming possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns. It is always hyphenated and suffixed to the possessing noun or pronoun.
Wah4-eh3 chu3 seh1-keng1
My house is small
Cit1-pun1 chaek3 ee1-eh2 nia2?
This book is his, isn't it?
Heo2 is an interrogative particle used to reconfirm, in both affirmative and negative sentences. It corresponds to "isn't it" and the like.
Ee1 ciak3 ka1 liau4 heo2?
He ate everything, didn't he? (literally, "He ate until finish, right?")
Ee1 mai1 jip1 lai2 heo2?
He doesn't want to come in, does he?
Gok3 is a particle that corresponds to "another", "else", "yet" and "some more". It is similar to kokh3.
Tan4 wah4 cit3-leh3 ji3 gok3.
Wait for me another 5 minutes.
Lu4 ai3 ha1mik1 gok3?
What else do you want?
Hna4 is an interrogative particle used to emphasize a question.
Lu4 mai1 lai2, hna4?
You aren't coming, right?
Chia1 se4 liau4, hna4?
The car is washed already, isn't it?
Hna2 is an interrogative particle used to verify or reconfirm a statement.
Lu1 kong4 ha1mik1 hna2?
What did you say?
Hna4 is an interrogative particle used to seek agreement. It corresponds to adding "okay?" at the end of a sentence.
Lu1 tan4 cit1-peng2 hna4?
You wait here, okay?
Kokh3 is a particle that corresponds to "yet", "yet another", "some more" and "else".
Wah4 boek3 snar3 leh2 kokh1.
I want another three. (Literally, "I want three some more.")
Wah4 boek3 kokh1 snar3 leh2!
I want another three.
Lu4 ai3 ha1mik1 kokh3?
What else do you want? (Literally, "You want what else?")
Lah3 is a particle that is used to show irritation or annoyance.
Wah4 mm33 cai1 lah3!
I don't know, (and don't ask me again!)
Beh3hiau4 lah3!
Don't know! (And don't care!)
Lah4 is an emphatic particles that is used to stress or to persuade.
Mai1 phnai1seh3, ciak1 lah4!
Dont't be shy, do eat.)
Khuai1-khuai3 lai2 lah4!
Come quickly please!
Lai2 is an interrogative particle used to affirm. It is placed at the end of affirmative sentences that begin with the question tag si33 mm33 si33 (Isn't it ...) to provide emphasis.
Si3 mm33 si3 ee1 lai2 ?
Isn't it really him?
Si3 mm33 si3 lu4-eh3 tien3wa3 lai2 ?
Isn't it actually your phone? (Isn't it your call?)
Leh3 is a particle used to expresse concern over an existing or impending situation. It can be translated as "oh dear". Leh3 is similar to orh3.
Beh3 choay3 than3 leh3!
Oh dear, can't find it!
Ciak3 beh3 liau4 leh3!
Oh dear, can't finish (eating) it!
Liau4 is a time particle used to show that an action has been completed. It corresponds to the perfect tense in English grammar. It means "already". It is a homonym to the verb "to finish", leow4 and can be used together. (I spell them differently to provide better word recognition). When used in a negative sentence, it means "anymore".
Wah4 ciak1 liau4.
I've eaten. (Literally, "I eat already.")
Leow4 liau4!
It's finished! (as in a task); Finished! (there's none left).
Ee1 beh3 ciak1 liau4!
He can't eat anymore.
Loh4 is a particle is used to stress a point. It emphasizes something that is "already so", and is often expressed as "liau4 loh4" to mean an action that has been completed.
Pan3gee2 liau4 loh4! Beh3 kokh1 kiam1 keh3 liau4 loh4!
So cheap already! Cannot discount anymore!
Ee1 tnui1 chu3 liau4 loh4.
He's gone home already.
Mah1 is a particle to reaffirm a statement. It corresponds to "after all" in English.
Beh3sai1 luan3-luan3 khai1, boh3 lui1 liau4 mah1!
Cannot recklessly spend. After all, no money left anymore.
Ee1 chin3 yau1 eng3goay3 ee1 boh3 ciak3 pnua1hang3 gok3 mah1
He's very hungry as he hasn't eaten anything yet.
Meh4 is an interrogative particle used to confirm, in sentences to express doubt, disbelief and incredulity. It corresponds to "are you sure" in English.
Ee1 uh3 lai2 meh4?
Are you sure he came?
Uh3nya4 meh4?
Really? / Are you sure it's true?
Mm33 is a negation particle.
Ee1 ciak3 mm33 tiok3 eok1
He took the wrong medicine.
Mm33 is also used in the question tag si33 mm33 si33
Si3 mm33 si3 lu4-eh2?
Isn't it yours?
Nee4 is a interrogative particle used to reconfirm, and corresponds with "how about" or "then" in English.
Wah4 mm33 mai3. Lu4 nee4?
I don't want (it). How about you?
Si3 mm33 si1 cit1 leh1 nee4?
Is it this then?
Ha1mik1su3 ee1 mai1 lai2 nee4?
Why doesn't he want to come then?
Nia2 is a interrogative particle used for verifying a statement. It corresponds to "right?","is it true?", or "isn't it?" and is similar to the Malay "kah" and the Japanese "desuka".
Lu4 ba3lu1 than3 cap3 khor1 nia2 ?
You only get ten dollars, right?
Lu4-eh3 chu3 cit1keng1 nia2?
Your house is this one, isn't it?
Nia33 is a emphatic particle used for delimiting. It means "only" or "just".
Wah4 ba3lu1 than3 cap3 khor1 nia33.
I only get ten dollars.
Wah4-eh3 chu3 seh3 keng1 nia33.
My house is a small house. ("My house is small only.")
or3 [ɔ]
Or3, also pronounced wor3, is a particle used for expressing anxiety or worry over an existing or impending situation. It is similar to leh3. Orh3 corresponds to "oh dear" or "what should we do ..."
Tau3ke1 khee1hong2 liau4 or3!
Oh dear, the boss is angry already.
Mui2 beh3 kham3 wor3.
Oh dear, the door won't shut.
pu1lak1 [pu-lak]
Pu1lak1 is a particle used for emphasizing a situation. A Malay loanword, it is often pronounced as tu1lak1 and can be translated as "then", "some more", "too" and "also".
Cna3hnui1 ee1 puat3to4, kin3jit1 wah4 pu1lak1!
Yesterday he fell, today's my turn. (Literally, "Yesterday he fell, today me also")
A3si3 mm33 si3 lu4, cui3cui3lang2 tu1lak1?
If not you, who else?
Lu4 co3 ha1mik1 pu1lak1?
What are you doing then?
pun4 [pun]
Pun4/Tun4 are emphatic particles which are Malay loanwords. They mean "also" and are often used to string two different actions in a sequence, as in "following which". Pun4/tun4 is often modified by tone sandhi to pun1/tun1.
Wah4 mai3, ie1 tun1 mai3
I don't want, he neither.
Wah4 ai3, ie1 tun1 ai3
I don't want, he too.
Wah4 khooi3 mui2, ee1 tun1 jip1 lai2.
I opened the door and she came in.
Tiau4 is a time particle that shows an action that is on-going. It means "in the midst of".
Wah1 jip1 lai2 eh3 si2 ie1 khee1 co3 tiau2 heh1-leh1 kang1.
When I came in he was in the midst of doing the work.
Tok33 is a particle used to affirm a statement. It usually appears alongside si33.
Cit1-leh1 tok3 si3 ie1-eh3 pa1 lah4.
This is his father.
Tuah3 is a time particle used to show that an action is on-going. It corresponds to the continuous tense in English grammar. It means "in the process".
Wah4 ciak1 tuah3.
I am eating.
Ie1 co1kang1 tuah3.
He is working.
All the particles above are used with negative sentences, whereas the following are used in affirmative sentences. The particles boay3 boh2 work only with affirmative sentences whereas the rest in the example can be used with both negative and affirmative sentences. Many of these sentences translate similarly in English.
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Types of Particle
In Penang Hokkien, particles can be grouped into three main types:- Emphatic Particles are used to provide emphasis to a statement. This can appear within a sentence or at the end of the sentence.
- Interrogative Particles are used for forming questions. This usually appears at the end of the sentence.
- Time Particles are used to show the frame of time, in lieu of tenses, which do not exist in the language.
ah3 [a]
Ah3 is an interrogative particle used in affirmative and negative sentences.
Ee1 kong4 hor3 lu4 thnia1 ah3?
He told you, doesn't he?
Lu4-eh3 chaek3 phua3 liau4 ah3?
Your book is torn already, isn't it?
Lu4 beh3hiau1 cho3 ah3?
You don't know how to do it, do you?
boay3 [boe]
Boay3 is an interrogative particle to reconfirm, in affirmative sentences. It corresponds to "already" in English.
Ciak3 pa4 boay3?
Have you eaten? (This is a standard greeting in Hokkien)
Lu4 choay3 than3 liau4 boay3?
Have you found it already?
boh2 [bo]
Boh2 is an interrogative particle used to verify or reconfirm a statement. It corresponds to "or not" in English.
Ee1 uh3 lai2 boh3?
He came, didn't he? (literally, He got come or not?)
Lu4 choay3 than3 liau4 boh2?
You've found it or not?
ciau1 [tsiau]
Ciau1 is a particle that translates roughly as "despite of", "still" and "nonetheless". It is used to show an action that is taking place despite of circumstances.
Lok3 hor3 tun4 ie1 ciau1 chut3 khee1 thit1tho2
Despite the rain he went out to play.
Penang-eh3 chu3 kui3 ta3pi1 lang3 tun1 ciau1 beh4.
Although houses in Penang are expensive, people still buy.
eh2 [e]
Eh2 is a particle that corresponds to "one" in "which one". It is also used as a relative pronoun in complex sentences.
Mummy, ee1 phak3 wah4 eh2!
Mummy, he's the one who beat me. (literally, "Mummy, he beat me one!")
Wah4 choay3 than3 eh2.
I'm the one who found it
Wah4 kong1 wa3 ka1 ie1 eh3 lang2 si3 wah1-eh3 tau3ke1.
The man whom I spoke to is my boss.
-eh3 [e]
Eh3 is a possessive particle used for forming possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns. It is always hyphenated and suffixed to the possessing noun or pronoun.
Wah4-eh3 chu3 seh1-keng1
My house is small
Cit1-pun1 chaek3 ee1-eh2 nia2?
This book is his, isn't it?
heo2 [hiɔ]
Heo2 is an interrogative particle used to reconfirm, in both affirmative and negative sentences. It corresponds to "isn't it" and the like.
Ee1 ciak3 ka1 liau4 heo2?
He ate everything, didn't he? (literally, "He ate until finish, right?")
Ee1 mai1 jip1 lai2 heo2?
He doesn't want to come in, does he?
gok3 [goʔ]
Gok3 is a particle that corresponds to "another", "else", "yet" and "some more". It is similar to kokh3.Tan4 wah4 cit3-leh3 ji3 gok3.
Wait for me another 5 minutes.
Lu4 ai3 ha1mik1 gok3?
What else do you want?
hna4 [hah]
Hna4 is an interrogative particle used to emphasize a question.
Lu4 mai1 lai2, hna4?
You aren't coming, right?
Chia1 se4 liau4, hna4?
The car is washed already, isn't it?
hna2 [hã]
Hna2 is an interrogative particle used to verify or reconfirm a statement.
Lu1 kong4 ha1mik1 hna2?
What did you say?
hna4 [hã]
Hna4 is an interrogative particle used to seek agreement. It corresponds to adding "okay?" at the end of a sentence.
Lu1 tan4 cit1-peng2 hna4?
You wait here, okay?
kokh3 [koʔ]
Kokh3 is a particle that corresponds to "yet", "yet another", "some more" and "else".
Wah4 boek3 snar3 leh2 kokh1.
I want another three. (Literally, "I want three some more.")
Wah4 boek3 kokh1 snar3 leh2!
I want another three.
Lu4 ai3 ha1mik1 kokh3?
What else do you want? (Literally, "You want what else?")
lah3 [la]
Lah3 is a particle that is used to show irritation or annoyance.
Wah4 mm33 cai1 lah3!
I don't know, (and don't ask me again!)
Beh3hiau4 lah3!
Don't know! (And don't care!)
lah4 [la]
Lah4 is an emphatic particles that is used to stress or to persuade.
Mai1 phnai1seh3, ciak1 lah4!
Dont't be shy, do eat.)
Khuai1-khuai3 lai2 lah4!
Come quickly please!
lai2 [lai]
Lai2 is an interrogative particle used to affirm. It is placed at the end of affirmative sentences that begin with the question tag si33 mm33 si33 (Isn't it ...) to provide emphasis.
Si3 mm33 si3 ee1 lai2 ?
Isn't it really him?
Si3 mm33 si3 lu4-eh3 tien3wa3 lai2 ?
Isn't it actually your phone? (Isn't it your call?)
leh3 [le]
Leh3 is a particle used to expresse concern over an existing or impending situation. It can be translated as "oh dear". Leh3 is similar to orh3.
Beh3 choay3 than3 leh3!
Oh dear, can't find it!
Ciak3 beh3 liau4 leh3!
Oh dear, can't finish (eating) it!
liau4 [liau]
Liau4 is a time particle used to show that an action has been completed. It corresponds to the perfect tense in English grammar. It means "already". It is a homonym to the verb "to finish", leow4 and can be used together. (I spell them differently to provide better word recognition). When used in a negative sentence, it means "anymore".
Wah4 ciak1 liau4.
I've eaten. (Literally, "I eat already.")
Leow4 liau4!
It's finished! (as in a task); Finished! (there's none left).
Ee1 beh3 ciak1 liau4!
He can't eat anymore.
loh4 [lo]
Loh4 is a particle is used to stress a point. It emphasizes something that is "already so", and is often expressed as "liau4 loh4" to mean an action that has been completed.
Pan3gee2 liau4 loh4! Beh3 kokh1 kiam1 keh3 liau4 loh4!
So cheap already! Cannot discount anymore!
Ee1 tnui1 chu3 liau4 loh4.
He's gone home already.
mah1 [ma]
Mah1 is a particle to reaffirm a statement. It corresponds to "after all" in English.
Beh3sai1 luan3-luan3 khai1, boh3 lui1 liau4 mah1!
Cannot recklessly spend. After all, no money left anymore.
Ee1 chin3 yau1 eng3goay3 ee1 boh3 ciak3 pnua1hang3 gok3 mah1
He's very hungry as he hasn't eaten anything yet.
meh4 [mɛ]
Meh4 is an interrogative particle used to confirm, in sentences to express doubt, disbelief and incredulity. It corresponds to "are you sure" in English.
Ee1 uh3 lai2 meh4?
Are you sure he came?
Uh3nya4 meh4?
Really? / Are you sure it's true?
mm33 [m]
Mm33 is a negation particle.
Ee1 ciak3 mm33 tiok3 eok1
He took the wrong medicine.
Mm33 is also used in the question tag si33 mm33 si33
Si3 mm33 si3 lu4-eh2?
Isn't it yours?
nee4 [ni]
Nee4 is a interrogative particle used to reconfirm, and corresponds with "how about" or "then" in English.
Wah4 mm33 mai3. Lu4 nee4?
I don't want (it). How about you?
Si3 mm33 si1 cit1 leh1 nee4?
Is it this then?
Ha1mik1su3 ee1 mai1 lai2 nee4?
Why doesn't he want to come then?
nia2 [nia]
Nia2 is a interrogative particle used for verifying a statement. It corresponds to "right?","is it true?", or "isn't it?" and is similar to the Malay "kah" and the Japanese "desuka".
Lu4 ba3lu1 than3 cap3 khor1 nia2 ?
You only get ten dollars, right?
Lu4-eh3 chu3 cit1keng1 nia2?
Your house is this one, isn't it?
nia33 [nia]
Nia33 is a emphatic particle used for delimiting. It means "only" or "just".
Wah4 ba3lu1 than3 cap3 khor1 nia33.
I only get ten dollars.
Wah4-eh3 chu3 seh3 keng1 nia33.
My house is a small house. ("My house is small only.")
or3 [ɔ]
wor3 [uɔ]
Or3, also pronounced wor3, is a particle used for expressing anxiety or worry over an existing or impending situation. It is similar to leh3. Orh3 corresponds to "oh dear" or "what should we do ..."
Tau3ke1 khee1hong2 liau4 or3!
Oh dear, the boss is angry already.
Mui2 beh3 kham3 wor3.
Oh dear, the door won't shut.
pu1lak1 [pu-lak]
tu1lak1 [tu-lak]
Pu1lak1 is a particle used for emphasizing a situation. A Malay loanword, it is often pronounced as tu1lak1 and can be translated as "then", "some more", "too" and "also".
Cna3hnui1 ee1 puat3to4, kin3jit1 wah4 pu1lak1!
Yesterday he fell, today's my turn. (Literally, "Yesterday he fell, today me also")
A3si3 mm33 si3 lu4, cui3cui3lang2 tu1lak1?
If not you, who else?
Lu4 co3 ha1mik1 pu1lak1?
What are you doing then?
pun4 [pun]
tun4 [tun]
Pun4/Tun4 are emphatic particles which are Malay loanwords. They mean "also" and are often used to string two different actions in a sequence, as in "following which". Pun4/tun4 is often modified by tone sandhi to pun1/tun1.
Wah4 mai3, ie1 tun1 mai3
I don't want, he neither.
Wah4 ai3, ie1 tun1 ai3
I don't want, he too.
Wah4 khooi3 mui2, ee1 tun1 jip1 lai2.
I opened the door and she came in.
tiau2 [tiau]
Tiau4 is a time particle that shows an action that is on-going. It means "in the midst of".
Wah1 jip1 lai2 eh3 si2 ie1 khee1 co3 tiau2 heh1-leh1 kang1.
When I came in he was in the midst of doing the work.
tok33 [toʔ]
Tok33 is a particle used to affirm a statement. It usually appears alongside si33.
Cit1-leh1 tok3 si3 ie1-eh3 pa1 lah4.
This is his father.
tuah3 [tua]
Tuah3 is a time particle used to show that an action is on-going. It corresponds to the continuous tense in English grammar. It means "in the process".
Wah4 ciak1 tuah3.
I am eating.
Ie1 co1kang1 tuah3.
He is working.
Examples of how particles are used
Ee1 mai1 lai2. (He doesn't want to come) Here's the same sentence with the various particles:- Ee1 mai1 lai2 ah3? (Doesn't he want to come?)
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 eh2. (For sure he doesn't want to come.)
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 heo2? (So he doesn't want to come, does he?)
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 kokh3. (He doesn't want to come yet.)
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 lah3. (He doesn't want to come (don't ask again).)
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 liau4. (He doesn't want to come already/anymore.)
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 mah1. (He doesn't want to come, y'know.)
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 meh4? (Are you sure he doesn't want to come?)
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 nia3. (He doesn't want to only come (he wants to do other stuff too))
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 nia2? (Is it true he doesn't want to come?)
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 orh3. (Oh dear, he doesn't want to come!)
- Ee1 mai1 lai2 pu1lak1! (And now he doesn't want to come!)
- Ee1 tun1 mai1 lai2. (He also doesn't want to come./He doesn't want to come either.)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 boay3? (Is he ready to come?)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 boh2? (He wants to come, doesn't he?)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 heo2? (He wants to come, doesn't he?)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 kokh3. (He still wants to come. / He wants to come again.)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 lah3. (He wants to come (don't ask again).)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 liau2. (He wants to come already (He's on the way).)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 mah1. (Moreover, he's coming./He's coming, y'know.)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 meh4? (Are you sure he wants to come?)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 nia3. (He only wants to come (and not do anything else).)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 nia2? (He wants to come, doesn't he?)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 orh3. (Oh dear, he wants to come.)
- Ee1 ai1 lai2 pu1lak1! (And now he wants to come!)
- Ee1 tun1 ai1 lai2. / Ee1 ai1 lai2 tun4. (He wants to come too.)
Penang Hokkien Grammar
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