Language/Min-nan-chinese/Vocabulary/Drinks
Hi Min Nan Chinese learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will go over a variety of drinks in Min Nan Chinese. Knowing this vocabulary is useful when ordering at a restaurant or buying drinks from a store. As always, don't hesitate to practice with native speakers and ask them any questions!
Basic Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Here are some of the most common drinks:
| Min Nan Chinese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 咖啡 (kā-huí) | /ka˥˩huei˧˥/ | Coffee |
| 茶 (te) | /te/ | Tea |
| 可乐 (khó-lo̍h) | /kʰo˥˩loʔ˨˩/ | Coke |
| 牛奶 (gû-nái) | /ku˥˩ na˧˥/ | Milk |
| 果汁 (koé-tŝap) | /kue˧˥ tsaɓ˥˩/ | Juice |
| 啤酒 (bî-chiu) | /pʰi˥ tɕiu̯˧˥/ | Beer |
| 红酒 (âng-chiu) | /aŋ˥ tɕiu̯˧˥/ | Red wine |
| 白酒 (pe̍h-chiu) | /pe̞˥ tɕiu̯˧˥/ | White wine |
| 水 (tsuí) | /sɤ̞˥/ | Water |
Useful Expressions[edit | edit source]
When ordering a drink or asking for a drink, there are some phrases that can be useful:
- 请给我...(chheng koh guá...) - Please give me...
- 我要...(guá beh...) - I want...
- 请问...(chheng būn...) - May I ask...
- 给我...(koh guá...) - Give me...
- 冰的 (peng ê) - Ice
- 热的 (ji̍t ê) - Hot
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
Here is a dialogue to help you practice your Min Nan Chinese pronunciation while using the vocabulary you just learned.
- Person 1: 你要喝什么？ (Lí beh tńg sîn-mih?) (What do you want to drink?)
- Person 2: 我要一杯咖啡。 (Guá beh tsit puè kā-huí.) (I want a cup of coffee.)
- Person 1: 好的，你要甜的还是苦的？ (Hó͘-ê, lí beh tiⁿ--ê huan-sī khó͘-ê?) (Sure, do you want it sweet or bitter?)
- Person 2: 我要甜的。 (Guá beh tiⁿ--ê.) (I want it sweet.)
Cultural Information[edit | edit source]
Tea, particularly oolong tea, is an important part of Fujian Province and Taiwanese culture. Hosting a tea ceremony is a significant gesture of respect and represents hospitality in both cultures. Additionally, bubble tea, also known as "boba," originated in Taiwan during the 1980s and quickly became popular around the world.
In Chinese culture, alcohol is often consumed during social gatherings such as family dinners, weddings, and business meetings. Similarly to tea, drinking alcohol is seen as a way to bond and show respect for others. Baijiu, a distilled liquor, is particularly popular among businessmen who often use it to make deals.
Further Reading[edit | edit source]
- Baijiu - More information on Chinese distilled liquor.
- Bubble tea - History and popularity of bubble tea.
- Oolong tea - Information on oolong tea in Chinese culture.
- Tea ceremony - Explanation of the tea ceremony in Chinese and Taiwanese culture.
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