Page:A Manual of the Foochow Dialect in Twenty Lessons.pdf/71

70 adverbs in English are expressed in two ways. For instance, we say “he came once, twice, thrice”, but beyond this number we commonly employ the word “times”, following the numeral. The latter form is regularly used in Chinese. The words equivalent to “times” vary with the nature of the subject. He struck him four times, 伊拍伊四下 I páh ĭ sé â. How often? 幾回 Gūi huòi?. It is so every time, 一囘一回都是將換，回回務將換 Siŏh-huòi siŏh-huòi dŭ sè ciŏng-uâng, or huòi huòi ô ciŏng-nâng.

3. 呢 Nì interrogative particle, is commonly added to questions where a question has already been asked; when this is not the case it either adds emphasis, or is the equivalent of such phrases as “how-about? what of” etc. Why does he preach here, 伊因世乇緣故落只塊傳道呢 I ĭng sié-nó̤h iòng-gó lŏ̤h cŭ-uái diòng dô̤ nì? What is the price? 價錢箬壞 Gá-cièng niŏh wâi.

4. Ciáng-sê and ng-sê are used for simple affirmation and denial, but in Chinese, as in English, there are many words and phrases, which do not merely signify assent, but convey the idea that such assent must be given in the nature of the case. Thus have such expressions as “of course, why ask? it goes without saying” etc. 自然 Cê̤ṳ-iòng and 一定 ék-déng usually cover these phrases. That is certain, 回是一定其 Huòi sê ék-dêng gì. It is needless to speak of that, 回伓使講 Huòi ng-sāi gōng. Of course there is no need to go, 自然伓使去 cê̤ṳ-iòng ng-sāi kó̤. Cê̤ṳ-iòng is also used in the sense of normal healthy condition. See Luke VII; 35&mdash; Clothed and in his right mind, 𧚔衣裳自自然然 Sê̤ṳng ĭ-siòng cê̤ṳ-cê̤ṳ iòng-iòng.

5. 起 Kī in combination with the sign of the negative, is placed after verbs, to show lack of resource, and in the positive form with the opposite meaning. This positive form is principally used in asking questions. He cannot afford to ride in a sedan chair, 伊轎坐賣起 I giêu sô̤i-má-kī.