Adverbs are words that change or modify the meaning of verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, clauses and sentences. They are the catch-all modifier for all types of words other than nouns, which are modified using
adjectives.
In Penang Hokkien, most adverbs are fashioned out of adjectives through
reduplication (Malay:
kata ganda). The resulting adverb is like the adjective spoken twice. If the adjective is an Irregular Word affected by
Tone Sandhi, then the first instance is in the
Modified Form while the second in the
Basic Form.
Adjectives that are Regular Words form adverbs by reduplicating without tone change.
ban3
slow
ban3
-ban3
slowly
Adjectives that are Irregular Words form adverbs by changing the tone of the first instance to the Modified Form, while the second remains in the Basic Form.
khuai3
quick
khuai1
-khuai3
quickly
Adverbs can be placed at the front or end of sentence:
Khuai1-
khuai3 lai2!
Come
quickly!
Ciak1
ban3-
ban3.
Eat
slowly.
Ban3-
ban3 knia2.
Walk slowly. (Idiomatic phrase for
"so long" or
"see you")
The adverb ho1-ho4 is commonly used to mean "well", "carefully" or "properly".
Ceh3 ho1-ho4.
Sit properly.
Cit1-boey1 hu2 uh3 chi3, to3long3 ciak1 ho1-ho4.
This fish has bones, please eat carefully.
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