Primary Lessons in Swatow Grammar/Lesson XVIII

by William Ashmore

Adjectives.

---

Some adjectives find their appropriate place before, and others after, the words they qualify. Others are used either before or after. Usage and euphony determine the position. There is also a variation in the force of the adjective arising from its position in the sentence.

---

kiâm-chúi,

salt water.—chúi kiâm, the water is salt.

ta̍k-mue̍h,

a poisonous substance—mue̍h ta̍k, the thing is poisonous.

chhàu-bī,

an offensive odor.—bī chhàu, the odor is offensive.

phang-bī,

a fragrant odor.—bī phang, the odor is fragrant.

nah-sap-sièⁿ,

a dirty manner (of doing things).

a-nôuⁿ-kiáⁿ seⁿ-lâi ngiáⁿ,

the child is born beautiful.

kín-sṳ̄,

an important matter.—sṳ̄ kín, the matter is important.

i nâng láu-tōaⁿ,

the man is lazy.

chhù phâi-chhiâng,

the house is beautiful.—phâi-chhiâng-chhù, a beautiful house.

si̍t-sim,

a true heart.—sim si̍t, the heart is true.

phé-saⁿ,

a beautiful jacket.—saⁿ phé, the jacket is beautiful.

---

The English prefixes im, in, ill, un, and dis, and the suffixes less, ble, ful, ing, and ous, often find equivalents in the use of m̄, bô, õi, bõi, ũ, and kâi. Khó and hó often represent the syllable ble. Bô is an equivalent for less; õi and bõi indicate the possession or absence of a quality, and, therefore, convert clauses and sentences into adjective phrases. Ũ and kâi are used in this connection.

---

chò-tit,

practicable.—m̄-chò-tit, impracticable.

khó-pí,

comparable.—m̄-hó-pí, incomparable.

khó-chhiè,

laughable.—m̄-hó-chhiè, not laughable.

khó-kièn,

perceptible.—put-khó-kièn, imperceptible.

hó-thóiⁿ,

visible.—thóiⁿ-bõi-tit-kìⁿ, invisible.

hó-chia̍h,

edible.—m̄-hó-chia̍h, not edible.

khó-íⁿ,

practicable.

khó-ùi,

fearful.

khó-sìn,

credible.

hó-sìn,

credible.—m̄-hó-sìn, incredible.

hó-sueh,

explainable.

liâm-chhí,

modest,—bô-liâm-chhí, immodest.

chheng-khih,

clean,—m̄-chheng-khih, unclean.

ũ-bī-sòu,

has a taste, i.e. tasteful.

ũ bī-sòu kâi-mue̍h,

a tasteful thing.

bô bī-sòu kâi-mue̍h,

a thing without taste, i.e. untasteful.

sêng-si̍t,

truthful.m̄-sêng-si̍t, untruthful.

õi-hāi-nâng kâi-mue̍h,

a thing that can injure people, i.e. an injurious thing.

ũ hok-khì kâi-nâng,

a fortunate man.

ngẽ-sim kâi-nâng,

a hard hearted man.

hàuⁿ-phé kâi-nâng,

fond of display, i.e. a showy man.

ũ-sim kâi-nâng,

a kind hearted man.

hàuⁿ-thit-thô kâi-nâng,

fond of gadding about.

hàuⁿ-chia̍h-chiú,

fond of liquor.

hàuⁿ-chia̍h a-phièn,

fond of smoking opium.

hàuⁿ-sńg,

fond of play.

sĩ kiâⁿ-hàu kâi-nôuⁿ-kiáⁿ,

a filial child.

khi-khu kâi-lōu,

a rough road.—lōu--ũ-kò khi-khu, the road in some places is rough.

kek-nâng seⁿ-khì kâi-ūe,

provoke people to anger words, i.e. provoking language.

thiám-mīⁿ kâi-ūe,

flattering words.

mē-nâng kâi-ūe,

revile people kind of words, i.e. abusive language.

chai-chok,

satisfied.—m̄-chai-chok, dissatisfied.

eng-kai--kâi,

needful.

m̄ eng-kai--kâi,

which ought not to be, i.e. needless.

chṳ́-sòi kâi-nâng,

a careful man.

m̄-chṳ́-sòi kâi-nâng,

a careless man.

õi-chò-sṳ̄ kâi sai-pẽ,

an efficient workman.

bõi-chò-sṳ̄ kâi sai-pẽ;

an inefficient workman.

---

Adjective phrases are numerous. Whole clauses are used as descriptive adjectives, as in the following examples:—

---

õi sie-hũ--kâi,

that can help, i.e. helpful.

bô sie-hũ--kâi,

that don’t help, i.e. unhelpful.

bõi sie-hũ--kâi,

that cannot help, i.e. helpless.

bõi-ji̍p-chúi kâi-saⁿ,

a—that don’t admit water—jacket, i.e. a jacket impervious to water, or, a waterproof jacket.

õi-ùe-nâng kâi-pēⁿ-chèng,

a—that can infect man—disease, i.e. a disease that can infect people, or, an infectious disease.

õi-nãi huang-hõu kâi-chhiêⁿ,

a—that can stand the wind and rain—wall, i.e. a weather-proof wall.

---

Adjectives are associated with opposites, and may be more easily remembered in that way.

kûiⁿ-kẽ,

high and low.

tn̂g-tó,

long and short.

tōa-sòi,

large and small.

chōi-chié,

more and less.

mé-mān,

fast and slow.

hûeⁿ-ti̍t,

crosswise and lengthwise.

khuah-o̍ih,

broad and narrow.

chhim-chhién,

deep and shallow.

khin-tãng,

light and heavy.

kãu-po̍h,

thick and thin.

hó-khiap,

good and bad.

siẽn-ak,

good and evil.

sng-tiâm,

sour and sweet.

kṳ̃n-hñg,

near and far.

pûi-sán,

fat and lean.

ngẽ-nńg,

stiff and flexible.

chiēⁿ-ẽ,

above and below.

lãu-iùⁿ,

old and young.

kiâm-chiáⁿ,

brackish and fresh.

jūn-chhò,

tough and tender.

phàⁿ-tōiⁿ,

porous and solid.

chiam-lu,

pointed and blunt.

tun-lãi,

dull and sharp.

ou-pe̍h,

black and white.

kng-àm,

light and dark.

uan-ti̍t,

crooked and straight.

chui-thap,

raised and sunken.

pêⁿ-kiã,

level and sloping.

chheⁿ-se̍k,

green and ripe.

phîn-pù,

poor and rich.

kùi-chūaⁿ,

noble and mean.

hiên-ngô,

wise and foolish.

khiâng-jia̍k,

strong and weak.

chhiò-phu̍h,

influential and insignificant.

húan-chiàⁿ,

inverted and direct (style).

tī-luãn,

peaceable and turbulent.

heng-sue,

prosperous and adverse.

hũa-hok,

calamitous and blessed.

khui-bûa,

off and near.

khó-hóuⁿ,

suitable and not (suitable).

chhou-iùⁿ,

coarse and fine.

siù-ba̍t,

open and close.

liâng-jua̍h,

cool and hot.

jṳ̂-ti̍t,

tangled and straight (as of thread).

Adjectives of the same signification are often used in pairs for the sake of clearness and euphony. Such words are called liáng-jī tâng-lūi kâi-ūe, or, tâng-ì-sṳ̀ kâi-ūe, synonymes,

chun-kùi,

honorable and valuable.

phîn-khiông,

poor and impoverished.

kùi-tōng,

honorable and just.

hiã-chūaⁿ,

low and mean.

sêng-si̍t,

true and veritable.

kuaⁿ-chiàⁿ,

correct and upright.

pe̍h-ti̍t,

clear and straight-forward.

hṳ-ngũi,

empty and false.

tong-kãu,

liberal and generous.

chha-chhò,

erroneous and mistaken.

úi-khiok,

false and crooked.

u-ùe,

vile and contaminating.

siàⁿ-siẽn,

holy and righteous.

uân-chhûan,

finished and completed.

hṳn-khṳ̂n,

diligent and earnest.

kàu-chok,

sufficient and ample.—m̄-kàu-chok, insufficient.

kan-lân,

hard and difficult.

chhṳ̂-pui,

merciful and compassionate.

khiam-sùn,

humble and complaisant.

un-jiû,

meek and gentle.

kiâm-siap,

niggardly and stingy.

kiau-ngãu,

proud and haughty.

huàng-sṳ̀,

impertinent and impudent.

pãu-ngia̍k,

fierce and cruel.

chhia-chhí,

wasteful and squandering.

keng-khua,

self-important and consequential.

jîn-ài,

benevolent and kind.

jím-nãi,

patient and enduring.

huân-hua,

lavish in display.

phok-sit,

plain and simple.

huaⁿ-hí,

pleased and delighted.

---

Pairs of adjectives are often joined together.

kûiⁿ-kûiⁿ kẽ-kẽ,

some high and some low (plural signification).

tōa-tōa sòi-sòi,

large and large, small and small, i.e. large and small all together.

tn̂g-tn̂g tó-tó,

long and short.

khi-khi khu-khu,

rough and uneven.

pêⁿ-pêⁿ tháⁿ-tháⁿ,

even and level.

uan-uan khek-khek,

bent and kinked.

mêng-mêng pe̍h-pe̍h,

obvious and clear.

chin-chin si̍t-si̍t,

true and real.

kong-kong tãu-tãu,

just and right.

ou-ou àm-àm,

sombre and dark.

láu-láu phièn-phièn,

knavish and tricky.

lo-lo so-so,

perverted and exaggerated.

jû-jû chán-chán,

confused and inconsistent.

kng-kng ku̍t-ku̍t,

bright and smooth.

chhou-chhou sut-sut,

coarse and rough.

jiâu-jiâu háiⁿ-háiⁿ,

creased and crumpled.

thiám-thiám mĩⁿ-mĩⁿ,

flattering and subservient.

uaⁿ-uaⁿ la̍k-la̍k,

delighted and happy.

un-un chhun-chhun,

mild and gentle.

kek-kek chok-chok,

impulsive and hasty.

huang-huang mâng-mâng,

hurried and perturbed.

cheng-cheng khãm-khãm,

reckless and precipitate.

oi-oi chìⁿ-chìⁿ,

pushing and jostling.

chôi-chôi chiáⁿ-chiáⁿ,

arranged and orderly.

huan-huan ho̍k-ho̍k,

fickle and changeable.

chhit-chhit chho̍k-chho̍k,

cluttering and shuffling along.

iⁿ-iⁿ uaiⁿ-uaiⁿ,

grating and creaking (as of a door).

ihⁿ-ihⁿ uai̍hⁿ-uai̍hⁿ,

grating and„ creaking„ (as of a chair).

îⁿ-îⁿ lìn-lìn,

round and rolling.

Comparatives.

The comparative degree is known, sometimes, only by the context.

chí-nõ-lia̍p tien-chu, tî-lia̍p ta̍t-chîⁿ,

of these two gems, which one is worth money, i.e. worth the more money?

chí-sòi--kâi ta̍t-chîⁿ,

this small one is valuable, i.e. the more valuable.

sĩ-lṳ́ tōa, a-sĩ i tōa,

are you large (old) or is he large (old), i.e. is he the older, or are you the older?

i sĩ-tōa,

he is the older.

chí-chiah-chûn mé hṳ́--kâi,

this boat is fast (er than) that one.

---

Ṳ́ and pí, to compare, are often used in forming comparatives. Kèng, jú, iáu, iâⁿ, and kùe signify more; su and chua̍h signify less.

kèng-hó,

better,—kèng-m̄-hó, worse.

kèng-tōa,

larger,—kèng-sòi, smaller.

kèng-tōiⁿ,

more solid,—kèng-phàⁿ, more spongy.

kèng-ũ,

still more,—kèng-bô, still less.

kèng-tie̍h,

more correct,—kèng-m̄-tie̍h, more incorrect.

kèng-mé,

more rapid,—kèng-mān, more slow.

kèng-gâu,

more wise,—kèng-ngà, more foolish.

kèng-õi,

more able,—kèng-bõi, more unable.

ṳ́-i kèng-hó-thóiⁿ,

as compared with him, better looking.

jú-hñg,

more distant,—jú-kṳ̃n, more near.

jú-mêng-pe̍h,

more manifest,—jú bô-mêng-pe̍h, more not manifest.

jú-kng,

more light,—jú-àm, more dark.

jú-ha̍h-sim,

more to his mind,—jú-m̄-ha̍h-ì, more not to his idea,

jú-ha̍h kui-kṳ́,

more in accord with custom.

jú-m̄-ha̍h kui-kṳ́,

more not in accord with custom.

jú-kèng chai-kuan,

more careful.

jú-chhut-la̍t jú-bô-ēng,

the more he laid out strength the more it was of no use.

m̄-jû chièⁿ-seⁿ,

there is nothing like this way, i.e. this way is better.

iáu-oh-chò,

rather more hard to do. iáu-kōi-chò, more easy.

iáu-khin se-su,

a little more light,—iáu-tãng, more heavy.

sin iáu-khuah,

the mind is broader.

sim iáu-o̍ih,

the mind is rather contracted.

iáu ta̍t-chîⁿ,

rather more worth cash, i.e. more valuable.

iáu m̄-ta̍t-chîⁿ,

rather more not worth, i.e. less valuable.

mue̍h-kiãⁿ iáu-hó lân-ló,

this article is rather better a little.

hieⁿ-lí iáu-tōa,

the village is larger.

chúi iáu-chhim,

the water is deeper.

hn̂g iáu-sán,

the ground is more sterile.

tṳ̂-thâu iáu-tun,

the hoe is duller.

pí-nâng iáu-láu-si̍t,

as compared with other men, rather more honest—well meaning.

pí bé gû iáu-la̍t,

as compared with a horse, an ox has more strength.

thang iáu-chōi,

earned a little more.

si̍h-pńg iáu-chié,

lost a little less.

iáu sue-mûi,

more unprosperous.

iâⁿ--i,

surpassing him.

chò iâⁿ--i,

has done better than he.

húe-hûn iâⁿ kap-páng,

a steamer surpasses a sailing vessel.

iâⁿ-kùe chò-pa̍t-sṳ̄,

(this is) better than to do something else.

khṳ̀ sĩ iâⁿ-kùe nāⁿ--chí-kò,

to go is better than to stay here.

iâⁿ-kùe múaⁿ-tî-nâng,

better than everywhere else people.

tàⁿ-ūe iâⁿ--i,

in talking he surpassed him.

õi-iâⁿ a-bõi?

can he beat or not?

ũ-iâⁿ a-bô?

did he beat or not?

sĩ-iâⁿ a sĩ-su?

is it a victory or a defeat?

kùi-kùe-kim,

dearer than gold.

phiⁿ kùe-thôu,

cheaper than dirt.

ngà-kùe-kúi,

more stupid than a ghost.

lāi-kùe-to,

sharper than a knife.

sie-kùe-húe,

hotter than fire.

kûiⁿ-kùe-suaⁿ,

higher than a mountain.

kiêⁿ-kùe pa̍t-nâng,

surpasses other people.

tōiⁿ-kùe-chie̍h,

harder than a stone.

ngẽ-kùe-thih,

stiffer than iron.

phàⁿ-kùe chhài-thâu,

more porous than a turnip.

kùe-tn̂g,

exceeding the length,—kùe-tó, too short.

kùe-hūn,

beyond his sphere, i.e. out of his place.

thài-kùe,

greatly in excess,—put-ki̍p, not up to the standard.

su iâⁿ,

worse and better.

lṳ́ bõi-su--i,

you are not inferior to him.

hṳ́-kiãⁿ iàu-su,

that article is rather inferior.

tî-kiãⁿ-su?

which one is inferior?

su-i tōa-bó-mue̍h,

inferior to him by a great deal.

su-i lân-ló,

inferior to him a little.

õi-su a-bõi?

will he be inferior or not?

iáu-chua̍h,

a little more less so.

pēⁿ iáu-chua̍h,

the disease is a little more less so, i. e. little better.

chua̍h--se-su,

somewhat better.

chua̍h bô-mih-chōi,

better by not very much.

chua̍h-m̄-uãⁿ,

better not much.

sṳ̄ iáu-chua̍h,

the matter is not quite so bad, i.e. better.

taⁿ hiēn-chãi iáu-chua̍h,

but now (things) are a little better.

lẽng-khó siũ-khóu, mài-huãm-chũe,

better to endure hardship, but don't transgress.

lẽng-khó jím-nãiⁿ, mài-nãuⁿ-sṳ̄,

better to endure, but don’t make a disturbance.

lẽng-khó si̍h-pńg, mài-phièn-nâng,

it is better to lose capital than to deceive people.

lẽng-khó-gō mài-seⁿ-pēⁿ,

better to fast a little than to engender disease.

Superlatives.

chì-hó,

the best,—chì-pháiⁿ, the worst.

chì-hñg,

the most distant.

chì-tōa-kâi,

the most large one.

chì-múiⁿ-mãuⁿ,

the most elegant.

chì-ũ miâ-sek--kâi,

the most reputable one.

chì-khùe,

most rapid.

chì-khek-po̍h,

most stingy.

chì-chhong-mêng,

most intelligent.

hiáng-hok chì-ke̍k,

enjoying blessing to the utmost.

siãng-hó,

the best,—siãng-m̄-hó, the worst.

siãng-khá,

most ingenious.

siãng-khùaⁿ-ua̍h,

most comfortable.

siãng-hû-thû,

most careless.

siãng-kang-hu,

most workmanlike.

siãng-cheng-chhó,

the most thoroughly done.

siãng-chhù-bī,

the most agreable.

siãng-hó-chhú,

most useful.

siãng-chhou-sim,

most reckless,

siãng-táⁿ tōa.

most brave.

siãng-kãu,

most thick.

siãng-po̍h,

most thin.

siãng-iùⁿ-mûiⁿ,

the most fine.

siãng-heng,

the most prosperous.

siãng-téng-nâng,

first class people.

sĩm-sĩ-mé,

surpassingly it is quick.

sĩm-sĩ-chhou,

surpassingly it is coarse.

sĩm-sĩ kuat-ì,

most determined.

sĩm-sĩ sóng-khùai,

most comfortable.

sĩm-khiâu-chhó,

most ostentatious.

sĩm-sĩ pek-chhiet,

most urgent.

sĩm-sĩ-ngũi,

most hypocritical.

sĩm-tì-ì,

most decided.

sĩm-phok-si̍t,

most plain (as to style).

sĩm-hong-hièn,

most highly respected.

sĩm-làu-khóu lâu-la̍t,

most laborious and energetic.

sĩm-lī-hāi,

most injurious.

lĩ-hāi kàu-sīm,

most„ injurious„

chùe-khó-ài,

most desirable.

chùe-chōi,

most numerous.

chùe-hàuⁿ pua̍h-chîⁿ,

very fond of gambling.

chùe-pe̍h-chiáⁿ,

very insipid.

chùe-ló-chhó,

exceedingly bungled.

chùe-sok-mo̍k,

most lonesome.

chùe-ùi-sṳ̄,

exceedingly apprehensive.

chùe-hàuⁿ-sṳ̄,

exceedingly fond of a muss.

chùe-nãi-pha̍k,

most capable of enduring sun-heat.

chùe-hàuⁿ,

exceedingly fond, or, desirous of.

chùe-ngĩ,

most upright.

chùe-khó-hṳ̃n,

most hateful.

chùe-lāu-jie̍t,

most busy stir.

ke̍k-phîn,

extremely poor.

ke̍k-kùi,

extremely dear.

chì-ke̍k,

up to the very extreme.

ke̍k-ūe,

extreme language.

ke̍k-jiâu-se̍k,

most fertile.

ke̍k-iùⁿ,

extremely fine,—ke̍k-chhou, extremely coarse.

ke̍k-hong-lông,

most abundant (harvest).

kan-khóu kàu ke̍k-sīm,

hard to the very uttermost.

cha̍p-hun oh-chò,

ten parts hard to do.

cha̍p-hun huaⁿ-hí,

ten parts delighted.

cha̍p-hun sòi-sim,

ten parts careful.

cha̍p-hun khìang,

ten parts strong.

cha̍p-hun thó-tǹg,

ten parts steady, i.e. completely steady.

cha̍p-hun ki-ba̍t,

completely reticent.

cha̍p-hun láu-tàu,

completely thorough.

cha̍p-hun ũ-chîⁿ,

abundantly rich.

cha̍p-hun múi-ì,

thoroughly good intentioned.

cha̍p-chok,

all sufficient.

tõiⁿ-it-hó,

number one good.

tõiˆ-it-pín,

number one rank (of people).

chīn-jua̍h,

extremely hot.

jua̍h-kàu-chīn,

hot to the extreme.

chīn-sim chīn-la̍t,

to his utmost mind and strength.

chīn-tàⁿ,

said all there is to say.

chīn-thiaⁿ--lṳ́,

(I) have heard all you have to say.

chia̍h-chīn--líau,

money all spent.

chia̍h-chīn, láu-chīn, ka-kī tie̍h chṳ̃-chīn,

he has eaten up every thing, cheated to the uttermost, and now let him put an end to himself.