"Bue Yia, Woo Nang Lai"
(From Teochew: Moth in house,
you'll have visitors.) |
"Kia Ki Peh Kai Lao Ti, Pa Tor Tsik Tseng Gu Ni"
(From Teochew: Walk up one hundred stairs,
spill one glass of milk) Meaning: It was quite an accomplishment, but it was not
perfect. |
"Tak Jik Kee Shor Ping,
Boh Lis Count; Tee Orh Orh."
(From Hokkien:
Everyday go shopping, no discount; the sky is black.) |
"Meh Lai Peh Huang Chuey Jip Meng. Jek
Lai Nam Huei Chuey Chui Lim."
(From Teochew: Night
falls, north wind blows in window. Day arrives, blue flowers seek water to
drink.) |
"Jiang
Tor Sar Puey Chui Lorh Pua Gai Kang"
(From Teochew: Like pouring 3 glasses of water
down half a hole.) |
"Chui Gu Woo Kim Kee,
Meh Nee Woo Png Chia'h."
(From Teochew: Water buffalo has gold teeth, so next
year have rice to eat) |
"Pang Kuay Sai Lee Wu, Pang Koay Neng Lee Boh"
(From Teochew: "You can pass chicken shit, but not chicken
eggs." Meaning: you're a good for nothing who can't produce anything
useful.) |
"Hou Lai Mai Cheo Neow,
Karchng Beh Beh Jeow."
(From Teochew: Tiger, don't laugh at cat. Your backside is just as wrinkled.) |
"Suah Eew Sim Cheng Ho, Boh Chao Poon Ho Say."
(From Hokkien: If the mountain goat is in a good mood, even
having no grass is fine.) |
"Tua Her Kua Sua Teng, Soi Her Kua Tua
Her."
(from Teochew: The big fish sees the mountain top, the small
fish sees the big fish. Meaning: fortunate are the rich and tall, for they
get to see farther without any obstacles.) |
"Woo Kah Gai Goi Meh-Meh Kia. Bo Kah
Gai Goi Tzor Puay Kee."
(from Teochew: "Chicken with legs walk very, very fast.
Chicken with no legs, takes the airplane." i.e. no matter what talents (or lack thereof) you're bestowed with, you
can always get somewhere.) |
"Ki Gua Kao Lim Gu Ni Ho Ho. Mai Tua Chi Kai
Gu Tng Lai."
(from Teochew: "Going out to drink milk is fine. Just don't
drag a cow home while you're at it.") |
"Nang Tah Ti, Ler Tah Di, Nang Tah Kway Boh
Kachng, Ler Tzao Ker Pee."
(from Teochew: "People say the sky, you say the earth; people say
chicken backside, you go and smell.") |
"Mm Tzai Ooh, Korh Nang Hoo."
(from Teochew: "If you do not know something exists, someone
will take it from you.") |
