"What job do you do?" in Penang Hokkien
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In this lesson, we learn to ask people their occupation. This can be translated to "What job do you do?" or "What's your occupation?" or simply "What's your line?"
When talking to the locals in Penang and trying out your new-found command of Penang Hokkien, it is worth learning this ice breaker.
Lesson
In this lesson, we learn to ask people about their occupation. Reference the Penang Hokkien Dictionary and the Penang Hokkien Vocabulary, particularly the chapter on Occupation, as well as the section on Learn to Write Penang Hokkien.
What job do you do?
Lu1 co1 ha1mik1 kang1?
I am a teacher.
Wah1 co1 sin3snaeh1.
I am a policeman.
Wah1 co1 ma1ta2.
What is his occupation?
Ie1 co1 ha1mik1 kang1?
He is a headmaster.
Ie1 co1 hau33tniau4
I teach.
Wah1 ka1 chaek3.
I sell chicken rice.
Wah1 beh33 kay3 pnui33
He sweeps the floor.
Ie1 sau1 thor3kha1.
What is Karim's occupation?
Karim co3 ha1mik1 kang1?
He sells insurance.
Ie1 beh33 po1hiam4.
Lu1 co1 ha1mik1 kang1?
I am a teacher.
Wah1 co1 sin3snaeh1.
I am a policeman.
Wah1 co1 ma1ta2.
What is his occupation?
Ie1 co1 ha1mik1 kang1?
He is a headmaster.
Ie1 co1 hau33tniau4
I teach.
Wah1 ka1 chaek3.
I sell chicken rice.
Wah1 beh33 kay3 pnui33
He sweeps the floor.
Ie1 sau1 thor3kha1.
What is Karim's occupation?
Karim co3 ha1mik1 kang1?
He sells insurance.
Ie1 beh33 po1hiam4.
Exercise Section
Exercise 1Translate the following sentences into Penang Hokkien. Then check your answer by clicking on the audio. Use the Penang Hokkien Dictionary, the Penang Hokkien Vocabulary (under Occupations) and the lessons in Learn to Write Penang Hokkien for assistance.
1. What is your occupation?
2. I am a headmaster.
3. I am a civil servant.
4. What job does he do?
5. He is a doctor.
6. What is Ah Huat's occupation?
7. He is a chef.
8. He drives taxi.
Exercise 22. I am a headmaster.
3. I am a civil servant.
4. What job does he do?
5. He is a doctor.
6. What is Ah Huat's occupation?
7. He is a chef.
8. He drives taxi.
Listen carefully to the audio and try translate it back into English. Answers are provided below, but try not to look at the answers until you have attempted the translation yourself.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Answers to Exercise 2
- What is your occupation?
- I am a doctor.
- What is his occupation?
- He is a policeman.
- What is her occupation?
- She is a nurse.
- What is Ah Hock's occupation?
- He is a clerk.
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