Teochew Common Sayings

On the video screen, the Mandarin statement reads “讓我們的文化不斷傳承” which means “allow our culture continuously passes on to future generations”.

And he goes on to say a number of our Teochew common sayings and common sayings is called 俗語 sog8ghe2 in Teochew Uê. I have translated those I know and if you know those which I do not know, please share in the comments section.

ho2gian2 miang2 êng7 gê1 - gê1 gian2 gho7si2 bê6

好囝免用加 - 加囝餓死父 ｜ 好囝免用加 -加囝饿死父

I have always felt that this saying must have been invented in the last 40 years when the Chinese authorities wanted a one child policy. The saying refers to having a good child is enough and having too many children will starve the father to death.

ho2 sên1 pua3gê1gian2 dam3bhai7 ri5 mo2 iang2

好生破家囝 - 髧眉兒孬養。｜ 好生破家囝 - 髧眉儿孬养。

I have heard this version.

ho2 sên1 pua3gê1gian2 mo2 sên1 dam3bhai7 ri5

好生破家囝  孬生髧眉兒。 好生破家囝  孬生髧眉儿。

It is better to have a spendthrift son than a useless one.

Guan1 dua7 ciu2bio1 zung2 – u6zin5 dan3 uê7 ang5

官大手錶準 有錢呾話紅｜官大手表准 有钱呾话红

I have not heard of this saying before. From what is written, I can infer that to have what a person in a high position say prevails and similarly those who have money, and whatever they say prevails. If you know the meaning of this saying, please share.

coin1 nang5 cion1 ion7 uê7 zab8 cui3 gao2 ga1ceng1

千人千樣話  十嘴九尻倉｜千人千样话  十嘴九尻仓

10 mouths 9 butts – Lots of people lots to say; pretend to understand but don’t

hao6sên1 bian3 cug4mian5 ziah8 lao2 ziah8 mian5sian1

後生拚出名 食老食名聲｜后生拚出名 食老食名声

When young one works for being famous, when one is old, one relies on one’s reputation.

do6gê1 tian1 bê6hian1 cug4mung5 tian1 hao1 sian1

在家聽父兄 出門聽號聲｜在家听父兄 出门听号声

He actually said bhu2 sian1 and I cannot think which bhu2 he is referring to.

kung5tao5 liang7 gao3 si2 deng1 bho5 liab8 cêng3zi2

拳頭練到死 當無粒銃籽｜拳头练到死 当无粒铳籽

One can learn Kungfu fighting until one die but this is not as good as a bullet.

借時赴落鼎討時餓死仔｜借时赴落鼎讨时饿死仔

I have never heard of this saying and if you have please comment.

bêh4 huê3 hah8 bêh4 kêh4 ， lao2m2 hah8 lao2bêh4

lao2bêh4 actually means grand uncle.

百貨合百客老姆合老伯｜百货合百客,老姆合老伯

There is another version: 百貨合百客阿姆合阿伯｜百货合百客,阿姆合阿伯

everybody has their likes and dislikes

ho2 ziah8 guê3tao5 ziu2 mo2 dan3 guê3tao5 uê7

好食過頭酒 孬呾過頭話｜好食过头酒 孬呾过头话

It is alright to drink excessively but one must not be offensive.

Sing3 zia2 si6 Lao6ia5 – m6 sing3 si6 ca5tao5

信者是老爺 唔信是柴頭｜信者是老爷 唔信是柴头

To believe in the local deity – not to believe is stupidity.

Sên1 mo2 haon3 zio3 gian3 mian7 hn2 miang2 seng3mian7

生孬好照鏡 命好免算命｜生孬好照镜 命好免算命

An ugly person likes to look at a mirror; a person with a good life does not need to have his fortune told.

Loh8 dou6 kao3 san1 sian1 – ho2 mo2 tin1 zu3dian7

落土哭三聲 好孬天註定｜落土哭三声 好孬天注定

Here are other versions:

落塗哭三聲 好孬天註定｜落涂哭三声 好孬天注定

落地哭三聲好孬天註定｜落地哭三声好孬天注定

Cry three times when been born; good or bad depends on heaven.