Notes.
- （1) Adjectives generally take kuh after them; the kuh 個 standing between the adjective and the noun. In some cases the kuh is omitted, as in the expression °lang °s (冷水), “cold water.” We do not say °lang kuh °s.
- （2) Dok-su (讀書) is the common expression for “to study.”
- （3) In such a sentence as “I want warm water” the °ngoo (我) may be omitted. In speaking to a servant one would say iau° nyih °s (要熱水), “I want hot water.”
LESSON V
Interrogatives, and Negatives
Va° (否) is used as the sign of a direct question, expecting the answer “yes” or “no.” It is added at the end of the sentence. Thus di°-kuh °z noong° kuh va°? (第個是儂個否) means, “is this yours?” Di°-kuh °hau va°? (第個好否) means, “is this good?” (the verb °z being omitted). The Chinese do not use a rising inflection of the voice to indicate that a question is being asked.
Meh (末) is used for asking a question when the action is presumed to have been completed. Thus van° chuh meh? (飯吃末) means, “have you eaten your rice?” or “have you dined?” Sien-sang chi° meh? (先生去末) means, “has the teacher gone?”
Nyi (呢) is used for asking a question implying the alternative. Thus noong° chi° nyi ’veh chi°? (儂去呢勿去) means, “are you going or not going?” noong° le nyi ’veh le? (儂來呢勿來) means, “are you coming or not coming?”
Nyi (呢) is also used in a question expecting a negative answer, but the explanation of this must be reserved until later.
“Who” is sa° (啥). In this sense it is always joined to the noun nyung (人). Thus sa° nyung? (啥人) means, “who?” Pidgin English, “who man?”
Sa° (啥) is also used in the sense of “what.” It sometimes precedes the noun as sa° sang-i°? (啥生意). “what business?” In a sentence like “what do you want,” it follows the verb. Thus noong° iau° sa° (儂要啥). Literally, “you want what?”