Page:Primary Lessons In Swatow Grammar.djvu/71

Rh Nouns. 4. Diminutive nouns such as in English are sometimes formed by the affixes let, ling, &c, are made by adding kiáⁿ. They often have a contemptuous meaning.


 * ah-kiáⁿ,
 * a duckling.


 * suaⁿ-kiáⁿ,
 * a hillock.


 * gô-kiáⁿ,
 * a gosling.


 * koi-kiáⁿ,
 * a small chicken.


 * chha̍t-kiáⁿ,
 * a petty thief.


 * gû-kiáⁿ,
 * a calf.


 * káu-kiáⁿ,
 * a puppy.


 * ngiau-kiáⁿ,
 * kittens.


 * sai-kiáⁿ,
 * lion-whelps.


 * hîm-kiáⁿ,
 * bear cubs.


 * sai-kiáⁿ,
 * an apprentice.


 * seng-lí-kiáⁿ,
 * petty merchandise.


 * hãu-seⁿ-kiáⁿ,
 * youngsters.


 * sió-kuaⁿ-kiáⁿ,
 * petty officials.


 * ma̍k-nih-kiáⁿ,
 * a twinkling.

5. Nouns are made concrete with the aid of i-kâi, his or its; chí-kâi, this; sṳ̄, matter; and só-kiè-chò, that which is called. In such cases chí-kâi has an intensive force of the definite article. It emphasizes the word to which it is prefixed.


 * taⁿ chí-kâi-sí kâi-sṳ̄,
 * now this matter of death, or, this subject of death.


 * taⁿ chí-kâi, nâng só-kiè-chò-thiàⁿ,
 * now this that people call pain.


 * i kâi-tiâm,
 * its sweetness.


 * taⁿ chí kâi-sìn-tek kâi-ì-sṳ̀,
 * now this idea of faith (is thus and so).

6. It is to be remembered, also, that adjectives and nouns are often mutually convertible. Adjectives become nouns and nouns become adjectives. In the list of adjectives already given a large number of the words are constantly used as nouns; thus, khiam-sùn means humility as well as humble; kiau-ngāu, pride as well as proud ; phîn-khiông, poverty as well as poor. One noun preceding another often becomes an adjective, as:—


 * chhâ-tháng,
 * a wood (en) bucket.


 * thih-thûi,
 * an iron hammer.


 * seⁿ-ue,
 * a cast-iron pan.


 * chie̍h-mn̂g,
 * a stone door.


 * jông-saⁿ,
 * a wool (en) jacket.


 * po-lî-chun,
 * a glass bottle.


 * iû-pân,
 * an oil can.


 * thóu-im,
 * a country dialect.