Page:Primary Lessons In Swatow Grammar.djvu/45

The Article.

Often there is nothing to take the place of the Article. Yet when necessary, there are ways of expressing both the Definite and the Indefinite.

The Definite is indicated by simple emphasis, as, bī-sòu hó, the taste is good; or, by calling in the aid of the demonstrative pronouns, used with or without a classifier; or, by description.

The Indefinite is indicated by the help of the verb sĩ or ũ preceding the noun, or by the use of a classifier placed before the noun, When placed after the noun its significance is changed.

nâng lâi,

a man comes.

gue̍h lo̍h,

the moon sets.

ji̍t chhut,

the sun rises.

lûi hiáng,

the thunder peals.

sĩ-bé,

it is a horse.

sĩ-káu,

it„ is„ a„ dog.

sĩ-tṳ,

it„ is„ a„ pig.

sĩ-koi,

it„ is„ a„ fowl.

sĩ-gô,

it„ is„ a„ goose.

sĩ-gû,

it is a cow.

sĩ-ngiau,

it„ is„ a„ cat.

sĩ-iêⁿ,

it„ is„ a„ sheep.

sĩ-ah,

it„ is„ a„ duck.

sĩ-chiáu,

it„ is„ a„ bird.

ũ-kâi-jiáng,

there is a noise.

ũ-kâi-nâ tõ,

there is a basket there.

tiâu-soh,

a rope. ũ-tiâu-sùaⁿ, there is a thread.

ũ-pńg-chheh,

there is a book.

tieⁿ chúa,

a sheet of paper.

ũ che̍k-kha-sieⁿ,

there is a box.

niá-saⁿ,

a jacket. niá-muaⁿ, a shawl.

pēⁿ-nâng,

a sick man. nâng pēⁿ, the man is sick.

o̍ih-mn̂g,

a narrow door. mn̂g o̍ih, the door is narrow.

tãng-tàⁿ,

a heavy load. tàⁿ tãng, the load is heavy.

tî-kâi? which one? tōa-kâi,

the big one.

khie̍h tōa-kâi--lâi,

get the big one and come.

khie̍h kâi-tōa-kâi--lâi,

get a big one and come,

kâi-tōa,

this one is large, or, it is large.

tî-kâi sĩ?

which one is it? sĩ-kṳ̃n--kâi, it is the near one.

sĩ-hṳ́-poiⁿ tiám--kâi,

it is that spotted one.

sĩ-lâm-sek--kâi,

it is the blue colored one.

sĩ-hṳ́ iû-âng--kâi,

it is the one painted red.

sĩ-n̂g-sek--kâi,

it is the yellow one.

sĩ-chí-ou--kâi,

it is this black one.

sĩ-hṳ́-pe̍h--kâi,

it is that white one.