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Penang Hokkien Idioms & Proverbs

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Idioms & Proverbs in Penang HokkienIdioms & Proverbs in Penang Hokkien

The people of Penang have created a selection of idioms that pepper their vernacular speech. The following is a collection of popular idioms in Penang Hokkien that I have compiled, with help from members of the Learn Penang Hokkien Facebook Group.

Orang Cina di Pulau Pinang mempunyai banyak peribahasa dalam Bahasa Hokkien Penang. Berikut beberapa peribahasa Hokkien Penang yang telah saya kumpul, dengan kerjasama ahli Learn Penang Hokkien Facebook Group.

  1. Ae1kau4 hor33 phang1 teng3.
    Literally: The mute is stung by a bee. (Si bisu disengat lebah)
    Meaning: To be in distress but unable to cry out. (Mengalami kesengsaraan tetapi tak dapat mengeluh)

  2. Ai3 lai2 mai3 suak3.
    Literally: If you want, come; if not, nevermind. (Kalau nak, datang; kalau tak nak, tak apa)
    Meaning: You have freedom to make your own choice. (Awak bebas buat pilihan.)

  3. Ak1chui3 cheng33 kim1.
    Literally: The duck's mouth wearing gold. (Mulut itik memakai emas)
    Meaning: The appearance is not pretty yet still wearing a lot of things that does not suit her. (Wajah tidak cantik, tetapi masih memakai barangan kemas yang tidak padan dengannya.)

  4. Bae4 ciau1 phau3, bu4 ciau1 thiau3.
    Literally: Horses continue to race, dancers continue to dance. (Kuda terus berlumba, penari terus menari)
    Meaning: Business as usual. (Urusniaga berjalan seperti biasa)
    This idiom is attributed to Deng Xiaopeng who stated it as an assurance to the people of Hong Kong during the changeover that there will be no change of business climate after 1997.

  5. Ban33 gu2 kau1 sai1jio33.
    Literally: Slow cow has lots of dung and urine. (Lembu yang mundur mempunyai tahi yang bertimbun)
    Meaning: Lazy people has more excuses. (Orang malas penuh alasan)

  6. Bat3ciu1 khnua3 ti1 kueh4, kha1 tak3 tiok3 hoay4!
    Hokkien in Chinese characters: 目睭看佇粿，跤踏著火。
    Literally: Eyes so focused on the kuih until the feet stepped onto the fire. Mata begitu tertumpu kepada kuih sehinggakan kaki terpijak api.
    Meaning: Do not be so focused on the immediate benefit until you forget your own safety.
    Jangan terlampau tertumpu kepada keuntungan sehingga mengabaikan keselamatan.
  7. Bat3ciu1 tak1 stamp4.
    Literally: Eyes pasted with stamps. (Bagaikan mata ditampal setem)
    Meaning: Oblivious to something totally obvious. (Tidak perasan sesuatu yang begitu jelas)

  8. Beh33 tua33 teng1. 賣大燈
    Literally: Sell the big lantern. (Menjual tanglung besar)
    Meaning: To take on the surname of the wife, a situation where the wife comes from a more significant family and the family wants to continue its surname. (Mengambil nama keluarga isteri, biasanya dalam situasi di mana isteri dari keluarga yang lebih mampu dan ingin menurunkan namanya)

  9. Boek1 pang1sai4 ka1 choay33 jam1ban2.
    Literally: When want to defecate, then hunt for toilet. (Masa nak berak, baru cari jamban)
    Meaning: Not preparing for the circumstance. (Tidak bersedia untuk keadaan.)

  10. Boh3 hu2 haeh3 ah3 pun1 ho4.
    Literally: No fish, prawns will do. (Kalau tiada ikan, udang pun menjadi)
    Meaning: In the absence of the best, the second best will do. (Kalau yang terbaik tidak ada, yang kedua pun memuaskan)

  11. Boh3 ka3li1lo2.
    Meaning: Not moving forward, no visible progress. Tidak bergerak ke hadapan, tidak melihatkan sebarang kemajuan.

  12. Boh3 tua3 boh3 seh3.
    Literally: Not big, not small (Tak besar, tak kecil)
    Meaning: Disrespectful (kurang ajar)
    Example: Kong1 wa3 ka1 paeh3bo3 be33sai1 boh3 tua3 boh3 seh3.
    (Talking to parents one must not be disrespectful.)

  13. Bong3 tang1 bong3 sai1. Literally: Touch east touch west
    Meaning: to meddle
    Example: Mm33 thang3 luan33-luan33 lai3 bong3 tang1 bong3 sai1.
    (Don't come along and meddle with things.)

  14. Bong3 thni1 leng1-leng4.
    Literally: Touch the sky and feel that it is cool (Menyentuh langit rasanya dingin)
    Meaning: Having an unrealistic expectation of the present cost of value, particularly in reference to elderly people. (Mempunyai jangkaan yang tidak realistik)
    Example: Wah4-eh3 Ma4 sniau3 kong4 cit3-pnua2-eh3 char1 koay1 teow2 ba3lu1 gor33 puat1. Ee1 kokh1 si33 bong3 thni1 leng1-leng4.
    (My grandmother thought a plate of char koay teow costs only fifty cents; she's has an unrealistic expectation of the present cost of living.)

  15. Choay33 si1lor33.
    Literally: Looking for the dead end. (mencari jalan mati)
    Meaning: Asking for trouble. (Saja mencari pasal)

  16. Chui3 ciam1.
    Literally: pointed mouth. (mulut yang muncung)
    Meaning: very fussy about food. (cerewet akan apa yang dimakan)

  17. Chnae3mae3 kay1 tork1 tiok3 thang2
    Literally: Blind chicken pecked a worm. (Ayam buta mendapat cacing)
    Meaning: An unfortunate person receiving a lucky strike. (Orang malang mendapat tuah)
    Example: Heh1-leh1 boh3 lui3 lang2 nya3 kiau4 siang33ka1 chnae3mae3 kay1 tork1 tiok1 thang2.
    (The poor man winning the gambling game is like a blind chicken pecking a worm.)

  18. Ciak3 chang1 boh3 liam1 boey4.
    Literally: Eating scallion without removing the roots. (Makan daun bawang tanpa mencabut akar.)
    Meaning: To be an intrusion into the intimacy between two people. (Mengganggu hubungan intim antara dua orang.)

  19. Ciak3 huan3cio1 cai3 luak1.
    Literally: He who eats chilli pepper will know the heat himself. (Siapa makan cabai, dia rasa pedas)
    Meaning: He who has done wrong will feel the guilt. (Orang yang berbuat salah yang akan berasa salah)

  20. Ciak3 kay1 ua1 kay1, ciak3 ak3 ua1 ak3.
    Literally: Those who eat chicken will stay close to chicken, those who eat ducks will stay close to ducks. (Makan ayam hampiri ayam, makan itik hampiri itik)
    Meaning: Siding with someone that benefits you. (Memihak kepada orang yang membawa manfaat kepada diri)

  21. Ciak3 nui1 pnui33.
    Literally: To eat soft rice. (Makan nasi lembut)
    Meaning: Pimp or man who has to depend on woman for his living.(Bapa ayam, ataupun lelaki yang bergantung kepada perempuan untuk menyara hidupnya.)

  22. Ciak3 pa4 boh3 sai4 pang3.
    Literally: Full stomach but no shit. (Terlampau lapang selepas kenyang)
    Meaning: Too much free time in hand. Similar to ciak1 pa4 sniau3 eng2.

  23. Ciak3 pa4 sniau3 eng2.
    Literally: too free after a full stomach. (Terlampau lapang selepas kenyang)

  24. Ciak3 pa4 wna3 yau1.
    Literally: exchanging a full stomach for an empty one. (Menukar perut yang kenyang dengan yang lapar)
    Meaning of both idioms: To be engaged in an activity that is completely unproductive. (Melakukan aktiviti yang tidak berfaedah)
    Example: Ha1mik1su33 lu4 co3 cit1-leh1 mi3knia3, ciak3 pa4 sniau3 eng2 nia2?
    (Why are you doing this, are you too free after a full stomach?)

  25. Ciak3 wna1 lai33, say1 wna1 gua33.
    Literally: Eat from inside the bowl, wash the outside of the bowl. (Makan dari dalam mangkuk, basuh bahagian luar mangkuk.)
    Meaning: To betray the people who fed you. (Menderhaka terdapat mereka yang menyara kamu.)

  26. Cit3-ciam3 cni2 ai1 khi4 Komtar.
    Literally: One cent already wanting to build Komtar. (Satu sen dah nak bina Komtar)
    Meaning: Planning a big project that is extremely under capitalised. (Merancang project yang melebihi kemampuan)

  27. Cit3 lang2 cit3 pnua3, kam1ceng2 ka1 be3 snua3.
    Literally: Each a half, and the relationship will not dissolve. Seorang setengah, pertalian tidak berpisah.
    Meaning: Where profit is fairly distributed, the relationship will remain for a long time. (Faedah yang dikongsi sama rata akan menjalin hubungan mesra yang berkekalan.)

  28. Cit3 lang2 cit3 su3ku4, kam1ceng2 ka1 e33 ku4.
    Literally: Each a quarter, and the relationship will last longer. Seorang sesuku, pertalian lebih berkekalan
    Meaning: Where profit is fairly distributed, the relationship will remain for a long time. (Faedah yang dikongsi sama rata akan menjalin hubungan mesra yang berkekalan.)

  29. Co3 kay2po2 boh3 sin3lo2.
    Literally: No salary for the busybody.
    Meaning: There is no profit for interfering in other people's affair. (Tiada faedah mencampurtangan dalam urusan orang lain.)

  30. Cun2 koay1 hai4 boh3 lau3 hun2.
    Literally: Ship passing through the sea leaves no wake. (Kapal mengharungi laut tidak meninggal ombak)
    Meaning: To be ungrateful

  31. Gor33 lui1 pni4 gu3chia3lien4 khah1 tua33.
    Literally: (His) five-cent (coin) is larger than the wheel of the bullock cart.
    Meaning: A very stingy person for whom even a small amount of money is treated like a big sum. (Seseorang yang tangkai jering, di mana duit kecil pun dianggap seperti duit besar.)

  32. Gu3 knia4 mm33 bat1 hor4. / Ciau4 mm33 bat1 lastik.
    Literally: Calf who is not acquainted to the tiger. / Bird who is not acquainted to the catapult.
    Meaning: Inexperienced person unaware of impending danger. (Seseorang yang tidak berpengalaman yang tidak mengenali bahaya.)

  33. Hai1 te4 bong3 ciam1.
    Literally: trying to touch the needle at the bottom of the sea (Mencari jarum di dasar laut)
    Meaning: Trying to find something that is difficult to recover (Mencari sesuatu yang sukar ditemui)
    Example: Boek1 choay3 heh1-leh1 chaek3 siang33ka1 hai1 te4 bong3 ciam1
    (Looking for the book is like trying to touch a needle at the bottom of the sea.)

  34. Ho1 bin33 chao1 kha3chnui1. 好鐵無做釘，好囝無做兵
    Literally: good face, bad backside (Muka baik punggung busuk.)
    Meaning: to put on a nice front or appearance, but the reality or back end is not so. (Menunjukkan wajah yang ceria walaupun hakikat tidak.)
    Example: Lu4 khnua3 ie1 ho1giak1 ta3pi1 ie1 ho1 bin33 chao1 kha3 chnui1, eng3-goay33 ie1 tua3 khiam1 siau3.
    (He appears to you as rich, but he is only putting on a front, because he is heavily in debt.)

  35. Ho1 knia4 chie3 be33 uak1.
    Literally: Good child can't stay alive. (Anak baik sukar hidup)
    Meaning: Difficult to raise good children. (Sukar membesarkan anak yang baik)

  36. Ho1thik3 boh3 co1 teng1, ho1knia4 boh3 co1 peng1.
    Literally: Good iron is not made into nail, good son is not made a soldier. (Besi baik tidak dibuat paku, anak baik tidak dijadikan askar.)
    Meaning: Good iron is not made into nail, nor good sons sent to become soldier, as they might not return. (Besi yang baik tidak dijadikan paku manakala anak yang baik tidak dihantar menjadi askar memandangkan mereka tidak mungkin kembali.)

  37. Jip1 khee3 gia3 cap3-cheng1, chut3 lai2 gia3 chiu3leng1.
    Literally: Enter with ten thousand, exit with only the rubberband. (Masuk dengan membawa sepuluh ribu, keluar tinggal gelang getah.)
    Meaning: Warning to not enter the casino, as one will lose a fortune. (Amaran agar tidak memasuki kasino.)

  38. Kao4 toay1 phooi3.
    Literally: Dog follows the fart. (Anjing mengikut bau kentut.)
    Meaning: A person who follows his leader wherever his leader goes. (Seseorang anak buah yang mengikut ketuanya ke mana-mana.)
  39. Lau33hau1phoay2 sni33 yam2.
    Literally: Nutmeg peel preserved in salt. (Isi buah pala diawet dengan garam.)
    Meaning: A stingy person. (Seseorang yang kedekut)

  40. Lau33hau1phoay2 un1 chor3 yam2.
    Literally: Nutmeg peel dipped in coarse salt. (Isi buah pala direndam dalam garam kasar.)
    Meaning: A stingy person. (Seseorang yang kedekut)

  41. Leng2 kau3 leng2, hong33 kau1 hong33; un1ku1 kau3 tam1bong3.
    Literally: The dragon is matched to the dragon, the phoenix is matched to the phoenix, while the hunchback is matched to the stupid. (Naga sama naga, garuda sama garuda, Si Bengkok sama Si Bodoh.)
    Meaning: The mighty and the beautiful find their match, while the ugly has to make do with the stupid. (Yang perkasa dan yang jelita dipadankan, manakala yang hodoh terpaksa dipadan dengan yang bodoh.)

  42. Liak3 koo1 cau1 pik3.
    Literally: Chasing after the tortoise causes the escape of the turtle. (Mengejar kura-kura terlepas penyu)
    Meaning: The quest for something causes the loss of another in hand. (Mengejar sesuatu yang diidamkan mengakibatkan kehilangan sesuatu yang sedia ada.)

  43. Lu4 cai1 wah4 ark1 chooi4.
    Literally: You plant, I water. (Awak tanam, saya siram)
    Meaning: Cooperate in completing a job. (Bekerjasama untuk membereskan tugas.)

  44. Pang33 knia1 i1 poay1, gim33 knia1 i1 si4.
    Literally: Release and it flies away, hold and it dies.
    Meaning: To be between a rock and a hard place. (Ditelan mati bapa, diluah mati mak)

  45. Pau3 snua1 pau3 hai4.
    Literally: Wrapping up the mountains and the seas. (Membalut gunung dan lautan)
    Meaning: Job responsibility that covers everything under the sun. (Tanggungjawab yang merangkumi segala-galanya)

  46. Phak1 chau4 knia3 cua2. 打草驚蛇
    Literally: Beat the grass to scare the snake. (Menghentam rumput untuk menakutkan ular)
    Meaning: Indirectly affecting your target through your action. (Secara tidak langsung memberi kesan kepada sasaran melalui tindakan anda.)

  47. Phak1 kao4 ai1 khnua3 cu1lang2.
    Literally: Before beating a dog, make sure you know who's the master. (Nak pukul anjing perlu kenali tuannya)
    Meaning: If you want to scold child, make sure you know who is the parent. (Sebelum memarahi anak orang perlu tahu siapakah ibubapanya)

  48. Pni4 lang2 khi1si1lang2.
    Literally: Keep comparing yourself to others will aggravate you to death. (Asyik membanding akan menyulitkan diri)
    Meaning: Do not needlessly compare ourselves to others. (Jangan selalu membandingkan diri dengan orang lain)

  49. Pnua1 kin1 pek1 niau4. 半斤八兩
    Literally: Half a kati and eight tahils. (Setengah kati dan lapan tahil)
    Meaning: Two of the same kind. (Dua yang sejenis)

  50. Sai3gu2 bang33 guek1.
    Literally: The rhinoceros dreaming of the moon. (Badak sumbu impikan bulan)
    Meaning: To yearn for something unattainable. (Mengidamkan sesuatu yang mustahil dicapai)

  51. Se1han3 huan3lo4 ie1 be33 tua33, tua33han3 huan3lo4 ie1 be33 chua33!
    Literally: When small, worry that he can't grow up; when grown up, worry that he can't find a wife. (Semasa kecil, khuatir yang dia tidak dapat besar, apabila sudah dewasa, khuatir dia tidak dapat berkahwin.)
    Meaning: To be in perpectual worry over one's children. (Senantiasa khuatir akan anak.)

  52. Se1han3 thau3 ban1 pu2, tua33han3 thau3 khan3 gu2. 細漢偷挽匏，大漢偷牽牛。
    Literally: When small, learn to steal gourd, when big, learn to steal cow. (Semasa kecil, mencuri timun, semasa besar, mencuri lembu.)
    Meaning: If a small error is condoned, it will develop in intensity. (Tabiat buruk kalau tidak dibetulkan semasa kecil akan berkembang apabila dewasa.)

  53. Seng3 kao4 paek1 cau3, seng3 knia4 put1hau3.
    Literally: Pamper a dog and it will climb on the stove, pamper a child and it will become unfilial. (Manjakan anjing dan ia naik dapur, manjakan anak dan dia tak berbudi)
    Meaning: One should not overtly pamper one's pets or children. (Binatang peliharaan dan anak tak patut dimanjakan keterlaluan.)

  54. Seng3 Ki3 Snua1 tiok3 sio1.
    Literally, Penang Hill caught fire (Bukit Bendera terbakar)
    Meaning: just got a haircut (Baru gunting rambut)

  55. See1-ki3 kha1, cit-leh3 tok1teng1 bin33.
    Literally: Four legs to a table top. (Empat kaki kepada permukaan meja)
    Meaning: In the old days, people prefer sons, so they would try had to get a son, even when they end up with four daughters. (Berusaha untuk mendapat anak lelaki walaupun sudah empat anak perempuan.)

  56. Siam1 sai3 hong1.
    Literally: Avoid the west wind. (Mengelak angin barat)
    Meaning: To be absent in order to avoid work. (Menghilangkan diri agar mengelak daripada terpaksa membuat sesuatu kerja)

  57. Siau1 kao4 luan33-luan33 bui3.
    Literally: Barking like a mad dog. (Menyalak seperti anjing gila)
    Meaning: To make excessive noise for no apparent reason. (Berbuat bising tanpa sebab)

  58. Sin3 jam1ban2 ho1 pang1sai4.
    Literally: A new toilet is a good place to do your business. (Jamban baru seronok berak.)
    Meaning: new broom sweeps well. (Peralatan baru seronok digunakan)

  59. Snar3 jit3 hong1, see1 jit3 hor33.
    Literally: Three days of wind, four days of rain. (Tiga hari angin, empat hari hujan)
    Alternative that I know: Snar3 jit3 hong1, nor33 jit3 hor33.
    Literally: Three days of wind, two days of rain. (Tiga hari angin, dua hari hujan)
    Meaning: A business that doesn't operate on a regular schedule. (Perniagaan yang beroperasi tanpa tarikh tetap)
    Example: Wah1 ai1 ciak1 Teong3 Lor33-eh3 Ke1ling3na1 Mee3, ta3pi1 heh1-leh1 thnua1 snar3 jit3 hong1, nor33 jit3 hor33.
    (I like to eat the Macalister Road Mee Goreng, but the stall operates on an irregular schedule.)

  60. Ta33-ta33-keng3 chu3 uh33 cit3-pun4 phnai1 liam33-eh3 keng1
    Literally: Every household has a copy of difficult-to-chant hymns. (Setiap rumah mempunyai senaskah mazmur yang sukar dinyanyi.)
    Meaning: Every household has its own domestic issues.

  61. Tiok3chnae3knia1, pang1 chnae3 sai4, ceh33 lang3chia1 khee1 po1 ba3lai4.
    Literally: So shocked as to pass out green shit, then rush off to report to the police. (Terkejut sehingga berakkan najis hijau, lantas bergesar melaporkan di balas polis)
    Meaning: To be extremely shocked. (Amat terkejut)

  62. Thiau1 tham3phui3.
    Literally: To jump into the spitoon (Melompat ke dalam tong ludah)
    Meaning: to commit suicide (Bunuh diri)

  63. Uak3 bae4 park3 si1 chiu3.
    Literally: A live horse tied to a dead tree. Kuda hidup diikat kepada pokok yang mati
    Meaning: A still ravishing women married to an impotent man. (Wanita yang jelita berkahwin kepada lelaki yang mati pucuk)

  64. Wah4 ciak3 yam2 ceh33 goay3 lu4 ciak3 bee4.
    Literally: I've eaten more salt than you rice. (Saya makan garam lebih daripada awak makan nasi)
    Meaning: I have more experience than you. (Pengalaman saya melebihi pengalaman awak)
    Example: Mm33 thang3 kong1 tua3 wa3, wah4 ciak3 yam2 ce33 goe3 lu4 ciak3 bee4.
    (Do not talk big, I have more experience than you.)

  65. Ya3 mua1 pau3 hai4
    Literally: Using the sarong to wrap the sea. (Menggunakan sarung untuk membalut lautan)
    Meaning: Trying to accomplish something exceedingly ambitious - to chew more than one could bite. (Cuba melakukan sesuatu yang melebihi kemampuan)

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