Page:A Manual of the Foochow Dialect in Twenty Lessons.pdf/13

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 * 棹 dó̤h: table
 * 椅 iē: chair
 * 毛 mò̤: no, has not, have not
 * 請問 chiāng muóng: please inform me
 * 將換 ciŏng-uâng: thus, in this manner
 * 世乇 sié-nó̤h:, [sic] 乜乇 miéh-nó̤h: what?
 * 意思 é-sé̤ṳ: meaning, thought
 * 聲音 siăng-ĭng: sound, voice
 * 地方 dê-huŏng: place
 * 位處 ôi-ché̤ṳ: place
 * 鷄蛋 giĕ-lâung: hen's eggs

1. One of the most important things for the beginner to know is how to ask the names of things around him. This helps to increase his vocabulary. It is advisable to give special attention to the following:&mdash;嚽是世乇 Cuòi sê sié-nóh? 嚽是乜乇 cuòi sê mién-nó̤h? What is this? 回是世乇 Huòi sê sié-nó̤h? or 回是乜乇 huòi sê mién-nó̤h? What is that? 嚽是世乇意思 Cuòi sê sié-nó̤h é-sé̤ṳ? What does this mean? 嚽是世乇位處 Cuòi sê sié-nó̤h ôi-ché̤ṳ? or 嚽是世乇地方 Cuòi sê sié-nô̤h dê-huŏng? What place is this? 伊問世乇 I muòng sié-nó̤h? What is he asking about? 嚽是世乇字 Cuòi sê sié-nó̤h cê? What is this character? 只隻是世乇𠆧 Cī ciáh sê sié-nó̤h nè̤ng? Who is this person? (This last question can be expressed in a more polite manner; see later lessons.) The order of the words in Chinese sentences must be carefully observed. To place sié-nó̤h before sê would be as uncouth as to put "is" before "what" in a corresponding English question.

2. In Chinese pronouns are not used as frequently as in English; this is especially true in regard to the second personal pronoun singular. Unless one is conversing with an intimate friend or relation, a child or a menial servant, 汝 nṳ̄ is not often used. The person's name or designation e. g. 先生 sĭng-săng is substituted where the second personal pronoun would be used in English. Many Chinese Christians avoid the use of the pronoun in addressing the Deity.

3. Abruptness in asking questions is avoide by using the phrase 請問 chiāng muóng at the beginning of the enquiry. To omit this is to gain