Demonstratives in Penang Hokkien

1.0 Demonstratives, in grammar, are words used to indicate or single out the thing being referred. There are two types: demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns. They are exactly the same, except that demonstrative adjectives need a noun to form a subject or object, whereas demonstrative pronouns function as subjects or objects on their own.

cit1 [tsit] this

Cit1 cannot function on its own. At the very least, it has to be attached to the general classifier leh1 to form cit1-leh1, meaning "this".

Cit1-leh1 cin3 kui3.
This is very expensive.

In the above example, the item inferred is understood from context. That item can also be added to the sentence:

Cit1-leh1 em3pit1 ak1 cin3 kui3.
This pencil box is very expensive.

Note:
Cit1-leh1 (即个 chit-le) means "this".
Cit1 leh2 (即个 chit-lê) means "this one".
Cit3 leh2 (一个 chi̍t-lê) means "one".
Make sure you do not mispronounce!

Compare:

Cit1-leh1 kui1 lui1?
How much for this? / What's the price of this?

Cit1 leh2 kui1 lui1?
How much for this one? / What's the price of this one?

Cit3 leh2 kui1 lui1?
How much for one? / What's the price of one?

Cit1-leh1 is often contracted to ceh1 [tse] (這 che) .

heh1 [he] that

Heh1 also cannot function on its own. It has to be attached to the general classifier leh1 to form heh1-leh1 , meaning "that". It can also be pronounced as ha1-leh1 and hi1-leh1

2.0 Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative Adjectives are words of reference (this, that, these, etc.) that precede nouns. There is no singular and plural forms of demonstrative adjectives in Penang Hokkien, so cit1-leh1 may well be "this" or "these". Demonstrative adjectives have to be hyphenated if they preceed a noun.

Cit1-leh1 chaek3 cin3 kui3.
This book is very expensive.

The noun can be dropped if it is understood.

Cit1-leh1 cin3 kui3!
This is very expensive!

You can replace the general classifier with a more precise classifier.

Cit1-pun1 cheak3 cin3 kui3
This book is very expensive.

3.0 Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative Pronouns are words of reference that replaces nouns. They do not have singular and plural forms. The antecedent (the item referred) is known from the context.

Cit1 leh2 cin3 kui3.
This one is very expensive.

Cit1 pun4 cin3 kui3.
This one is very expensive.

3.1 Classifiers can be added to the demonstrative pronouns. The classifiers provide a clue to the antecedent being referred. The demonstrative pronouns are hyphenated to the classifier. Such a construction is used only for singular item, as indicated by the presence of cit3 ("one").

Cit1-leh1-cit3-pun4 cin3 kui1.
This one is very expensive.

Heh1-leh1-cit3-pun4 cin3 kui1.
This one is very expensive.

Plural Forms of Demonstratives

4.0 Cit1-leh1 and heh1-leh1 generally do not differentiate between singular and plural. To ensure a plural meaning, add ka1liau4 ("all" or "all of").

4.1 Where using the demonstrative adjective, ka1liau4 is added after the noun:

Cit1-leh1 chaek3 ka1liau4 cin3 kui3.
All these books are very expensive.

Ceh1 chaek3 ka1liau4 cin3 kui3.
All these books are very expensive.

4.2 With demonstrative pronoun, ka1liau4 follows immediately thereafter:

Cit1-leh1 ka1liau4 cin3 kui3.
All these are very expensive.

Ceh1 ka1liau4 cin3 kui3.
All these are very expensive.

Ka1liau4 cin3 kui3.
All are very expensive.

4.3 If you know the proper classifier for the mentioned item, you can replace the general classifier -leh1 with it. When the proper classifier is employed, you cannot use ka1liau4. However, you can use ka1liau4 as an adjective (in which case, it sandhis to kaliau1).

Cit1-pun1 chaek3 cin3 kui3.
This book is very expensive.

Cit1 pun4 cin3 kui3.
This one is very expensive.

Ka1liau1 chaek3 cin3 kui3.
All books are very expensive.

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