Simple Phrases in Penang Hokkien for Visitors

Welcome to Penang! Whether you're here for the food, the heritage, or the friendly people, learning a few simple phrases in Penang Hokkien can go a long way in enriching your experience. Penang Hokkien is the everyday language of many locals, and speaking even a little of it is often met with warm smiles and open arms.

On this page, you'll find a list of easy and practical phrases in English - perfect for travelers who want to connect with Penangites in a more personal way. These phrases have been carefully selected for their usefulness in daily interactions. You'll also find them written in Taiji Romanisation, the Penang Hokkien writing system launched in 2023. Use these phrases to greet locals, order food, get directions, and show appreciation. Take your time to explore and practice. A few words in Penang Hokkien can truly make your visit more memorable!

Useful Phrases

Greetings and Essentials

To start, you'd be glad to know that there isn't an equivalent in Penang Hokkien for hello, good morning, good night, goodbye and sorry. Whenever we are faced with having to say these phrases, we simply resort to using the ones in English. But the rest of these, you can learn. Click the speaker icon to listen to how each is spoken. The writing system is Taiji Romanisation, and you may also use the free Penang Hokkien Dictionary that also comes with audio.

Feel free to bring this page along, and play the audio to a Penang Hokkien speaker whenever that helps.
  1. How are you?
    Lu1 ho4 boh2

  2. I'm fine, thank you.
    Wah1 ho4, kam1siah33.

  3. Thank you.
    Kam1siah33.

  4. You're welcome.
    Mien1 khaek1khi3.

  5. Excuse me.
    Chnia1 mui33.

  6. Yes.
    Si33.

  7. No.
    Mm33 si33.

  8. Got.
    Uh33.

  9. Don't have.
    Boh2.

  10. I don't understand.
    Wah1 boh3 beng3paek1.

  11. I don't know.
    Wah1 mm33 cai1.

  12. Can you speak English?
    Lu1 e33 kong1 Ang3mor3 Wa33 boh2?

At the market or shops

  1. How much is this?
    Kui1 lui1?

  2. That's too expensive.
    Thai1 kui3.

  3. Can lower the price?
    E33 kiam4 boh2?

  4. I want to buy this.
    Wah1 boek1 beh4 cit1-leh1.

  5. Do you have a smaller size?
    Uh33 khah1 se3 eh2 boh2?

  6. Do you have a bigger size?
    Uh33 khah1 tua33 eh2 boh2?

  7. Beautiful/nice/pretty.
    Sui4.

  8. Just looking.
    Khnua1-khnua3 nia33.

  9. I'll take it.
    Wah4 thek1 cit1-leh1.

Food and Dining

  1. I'm hungry.
    Wah1 yau1.

  2. I'm thirsty.
    Wah1 chui1ta1.

  3. What do you recommend?
    Lu4 kai1siau33 ha1mik1?

  4. No chili, please.?
    Mai1 huan3cio1.

  5. I can't take spicy.
    Wah1 be33 ciak3 luak1.

  6. Can I have the bill, please?
    Siu3 lui1.

Getting Around

  1. Where's the washroom?
    Chnia1 mui33, cnai3keng1 ti1 ta1lok1?

  2. Where's the toilet?
    Chnia1 mui33, jam1ban2 ti1 ta1lok1?

  3. Turn right.
    Uan3 cnia1chiu4.

  4. Turn left.
    Uan3 to1chiu4.

  5. Go straight.
    Knia2 tit3-tit1.

  6. Stop here, please.
    To3long3 theng2 cit1-peng2.

  7. I want to go to [PLACE]
    Wah1 ai1 khee3 [PLACE].

Friendly Conversation

  1. What is your name?
    Lu1 mia3 ha1mik1?

  2. My name is [NAME]
    Wah1 mia3 [NAME].

  3. I'm from [COUNTRY].
    Wah4 [COUNTRY] lai2 eh2.

  4. I like Penang.
    Wah4 su3kak3 Penang.

  5. Penang is beautiful.
    Penang cin3 sui4.

  6. Thank you very much.
    Kam1siah33 lu4 ce33-ce33.

Simple Phrases in Penang Hokkien for Visitors

Page Details

This page was created on 11 July 2025.

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