Conjunctions in Penang Hokkien

Conjunctions are words used to connect two (or more) words, phrases, clauses and ideas. Here are some of the conjunctions in Penang Hokkien.

a33si33 [a-si]

To3long3 siu3 sna1 a3si3 lok3 hor33.
Please bring in the washing in case it rains.

A3si3 ee1 lai2, kio3 ie1 jip1 lai2.
If she comes, tell her to come in.

eng3-goay33 [eŋ-goe]

because
Ie1 be33 cau4 eng3-goay33 ie1-eh3 kha1 thnia3.
He couldn't run because his leg hurt.

Ee1 jiang4 eng3-goay3 ee1 hien3 tiok3 cua2.
She screamed because she saw a snake.

kah1 [ka]

and
Wah1 beh1 du3rian2 kah1 ang3mor3tan1.
I bought durian and rambutan.

Ee1 kah1 wah4 khee1 ciak3 hong1.
She and I went on holiday.

Ie1 ciak3 pnui3 kah1 chye3.
He ate rice and/with vegetables.

Ie1 yong33 chiam1ma4 kah1 thau3keong1.
He used fork and spoon.

Compare the conjunction kah1 and the preposition ka3 (with)

Ee1 khee1 ciak3 hong1 ka1 wah4.
She went on holiday with me.

Ie1 kong4 ka1 wah4.
He told (to) me.

ta3pi1 [ta-pi]

but
Wah1 tan4 ie1 ta3pi1 ie1 boh3 lai2.
I waited for him but he didn't come.

Wah1 ai1 khoon3 ta3pi be33 khoon3.
I am sleepy but can't sleep.

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