Hainanese phrasebook

Hainanese (海南话 hai-nam-oe) is the local language of the island of Hainan, the most southerly part of China. It is also fairly common among overseas Chinese, especially in Southeast Asia.

Linguistically, Hainanese is closely related to Minnan Hua and Teochew, but it is not mutually intelligible with either of those or with any other Chinese dialect. Hainanese also has dialectal variation throughout the island, and it is not uncommon for people from different parts of Hainan to converse with each other in Mandarin instead. The dialect spoken in Wenchang is the prestige dialect and used in provincial news broadcasts, though the Qionghai dialect is typically used in Hainanese opera performances.

Hainanese speakers in China are usually also able to speak Mandarin, so learning Hainanese is not necessary to communicate, and foreigners living in the region usually choose to learn Mandarin instead. That said, locals are proud of their language, so attempts to speak Hainanese are certainly appreciated, and might even earn you preferential treatment in shops and restaurants.

See the Chinese phrasebook for reading most writing in Hainanese-speaking areas.

Pronunciation guide

Written Hainanese uses simplified Chinese characters, but is romanised using the Guangdong Romanization System.

Vowels

Consonants

Common diphthongs

Phrase list

Basics

Hello.

. ( du o ) 汝好

Hello. (informal)

. (du o bo ? ) 汝好无 ?

How are you?

? ( du dai dou)

Fine, thank you.

o, dia dia. ( 好谢谢 )

What is your name?

(lu kio mi mia ? 你 叫么名 ?)

My name is ______ .

(nong kai mia kio to name) - 侬个名叫做 (name)

Formal vs Informal
- 侬/儂 nong - Formal
  - Used with elders (parents, grandparents, etc), teachers, strangers, etc
- 我 gua - Informal
  - Used with siblings, friends, etc

Nice to meet you.

. ( )

Please.

sia. ( 请 )

Thank you.

無該/无该 bo kai

You're welcome.

. ( bo jong khek khui ) 无用客气

Excuse me. (getting attention)

. ( sia mui ) 请问

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

. ( dui bo khi ) 对不起

I'm sorry.

wa ho sor

Goodbye

tai gii. (再见)

I can't speak Hainanese.

[ ]. (wa bo bat gong hai-nam-oe) 我不会讲海南话

Do you speak English?

? ( lu oi gong eng boon bo?) 你会讲英文无 ?

Is there someone here who speaks English?

? ( zhe lè oo nang oi gong eng boon bo?) 这里有人会讲英文无 ?

Help!

! ( kiu mia / kiu nang !) 救命/救人

Look out!

! ( !) mor hor

Good morning.

. ( ) hor yet 早上好。

Good evening.

. ( ) hor mair 晚上好。

Good night.

. ( ) mei an 晚安

Good night (to sleep)

. ( ) ku koi hor 晚安

I don't understand.

. (wa bo oi) wa bor dai 我不明白。

Where is the toilet?

公房佇帶？/公房伫带？ gong bang du dair

Problems

Leave me alone.: . ( .) wa bor dor du hoi war 别打扰我。
Don't touch me!: bo jiong mo wa - 无用摸我!
I'll call the police.: wo kio keng sat - 我叫警察
Police!: keng sat - 警察
Stop! Thief!: ! ! ( ! !) kiup nung
I need your help.: . ( .) hoi wa
It's an emergency.: . ( .)
I'm lost.: . ( .) wa bor but wa di du dair
I lost my bag.: . ( .) wa bor dwair wa gai tung diet
I lost my wallet.: . ( .) wa bor dwair wa gai kior gee
I'm sick.: . ( .) wa onai
I've been injured.: . ( .) wa hiar
I need a doctor.: . ( .) wa sum dwair eedair
Can I use your phone?: ? ( ?) wa yong du kai dian hué/siu ki dio bo ? - 我用汝的电话着无

Numbers

0: 空 hong
1: 一 yet / jiak
2: 二 ji / 两 noh
3: 三 ta
4: 四 ti
5: 五 ngo
6: 六 lak
7: 七 siet
8: 八 bui
9: 九 kao
10: 十 tap
11: 十一 tap yet
12: 十二 tap ji
13: 十三 tap ta
14: 十四 tap ti
15: 十五 tap ngo
16: 十六 tap lak
17: 十七 tap siet
18: 十八 tap bui
19: 十九 tap kao
20: 二十 ji tap
21: 二十一 ji tap yet
22: 二十二 ji tap ji
23: 二十三 ji tap ta
30: 三十 ta tap
40: 四十 ti tap
50: 五十 ngo tap
60: 六十 lak tap
70: 七十 siet tap
80: 八十 bui tap
90: 九十 kao tap
100: 一百 jiak beh
200: 两百 noh beh
300: 三百 ta beh
1,000: 一千 jiak sai
2,000: 两千 noh sai
10,000: 一万 jiak ban
1,000,000: 一百万 jiak beh ban
1,000,000,000: 十亿 tap yi
1,000,000,000,000: ( ) jiak ban beh
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): ( )
half: 一半 jiak bwa
less: 少 jio
more: 多 tui

Time

now: 现旦/現旦 en nar
later: ( ) eh gan
before: ( )
morning: 上旰 tzio kua
afternoon: 下旰 e kua
evening: 今暝 gen mair
night: 暝头/暝頭 mair hao

Clock time

one o'clock AM: (一点) yet diam
two o'clock AM: (两点) no diam
noon: (中午) tong ngo
one o'clock PM: ( )
two o'clock PM: ( )
midnight: ( )

Duration

_____ minute(s): _____分钟/分鐘 on ziang
_____ hour(s): ( ) diam ziang
_____ day(s): _____日 ziet
_____ week(s): ( )bai
_____ month(s): _____月 wair/gue
_____ year(s): _____年 he

Days

today: 今旦 gen nwa/ 今日 gen jiet
yesterday: 昨晡 ta bou
tomorrow: 後旦 au nwar
this week: ( bai)
last week: ( )
next week: ( )

Sunday: lei bai 星期日
Monday: bai iet 星期一
Tuesday: bai yi 星期二
Wednesday: bai dar 星期三
Thursday: bai di 星期四
Friday: bai ngou 星期五
Saturday: bai lak 星期六

Months

January: yet gueh 一月
February: noh gueh 二月
March: ta gueh 三月
April: ti gueh 四月
May: ngo gueh 五月
June: lak gueh 六月
July: siet gueh 七月
August: boi gueh 八月
September: kao gueh 九月
October: taap gueh 十月
November: taap yet gueh 十一月
December: taap zi gueh 十二月

Writing time and date

Colors

black: 烏 oh
white: 白 beh
gray: 灰 wu
red: 红/紅 ang
blue: 蓝 lam
yellow: 黄 oui
green: 绿 liak
orange: 橙 ka
purple: 紫 kio
brown: 棕 chocolate

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: ( ) Yiak kai pio ku ..... kai di phang ou uatoi chee ? - 一个票去....的地方有多少钱
One ticket to _____, please.: ( )wa dior boi ya gai dwa koo
Where does this train/bus go?: ( )yum mor wair siar/ siar koo wo doi dium
Where is the train/bus to _____?: ( )yum mor wair siar/ siar koo doo dair?
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: ( )yum mor wair siar /siar yar?
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: ( )ge mee dium yar mor wair siar/siar sot ?
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: ( )ge mee dium yar mor wair siar siar lai ?

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: ( )war dior koo yar lai?
...the train station?: ( )wair siar tam - 火车站
...the bus station?: ( ) gong gong khui sia tam - 公共汽车站
...the airport?: ( )boi gee dio - 飞机场
...downtown?: (chio tiasi) 上城市
...the youth hostel?: ( )soo giar kiar diet
...the _____ hotel?: ( ) li diam - 旅店
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ( )Mui Gok/JiaNaDa/AuJiu/EngGok gei lia say guan
Where are there a lot of...: ( )oo ya di pung oo war doi
...hotels?: ( )heir zhen
...restaurants?: ( )Jiu Diam
...bars?: ( )Jiu Ba
...sites to see?: ( )Mor Di Pang
Can you show me on the map?: ( )
street: ( )Luo
Turn left.: ( )Toh tuan 左转
Turn right.: ( )Jiu tuan 右转
left: ( )Toh 左
right: ( )Jiu 右
straight ahead: ( )
towards the _____: ( )
past the _____: ( )
before the _____: ( )
Watch for the _____.: ( )sum mor or gai
intersection: ( )
north: (北 )bak
south: ( 南)nam
east: (东 )dong
west: (西 )dai
uphill: ( )Jow knei 上山
downhill: ( )Low knei 下山

Taxi

Taxi!: ( )
Take me to _____, please.: ( )war dior koo ya lai, dai dia
How much does it cost to get to _____?: ( )dee wo doi gee koo ya lair?
Take me there, please.: ( )war dior koo ya lair, dai dia

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: ( )do oo bung bor?
How much is a room for one person/two people?: ( )dee wor doi gee ior ya gai bung ya nung/nor nung?
Does the room come with...: ( )ze mo bang oo?
...bedsheets?: ( )depoo kol?
...a bathroom?: ( )gong bang?
...a telephone?: ( )tolorsup/dien ui
...a TV?: ( )nien di?
May I see the room first?: ( )war dior gee bung
Do you have anything quieter?: ( )
...bigger?: ( )dwa
...cleaner?: ( )he goi
...cheaper?: ( )boh gwui/ bun yee
OK, I'll take it.: ( )ho, wa ior diet
I will stay for _____ night(s).: ( )wa dior khuwi ya lair ..... me
Can you suggest another hotel?: ( )oo soo doo dair gair bo
Do you have a safe?: ( )do oo nien hung?
...lockers?: ( )
Is breakfast/supper included?: ( )
What time is breakfast/supper?: ( )gair mee dium giar?
Please clean my room.: ( )dor wai gai bung hair goi
Can you wake me at _____?: ( )doo sair wa diet?
I want to check out.: ( )war dior sot

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: ( )
Do you accept British pounds?: ( )do ior gee ungmor?
Do you accept euros?: ( )do ior gee Euro?
Do you accept credit cards?: ( )
Can you change money for me?: ( )do to diat hoi wa wa gee
Where can I get money changed?: ( )wa ior wa gai gee do dengnung do dair?
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: ( )
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: ( )
What is the exchange rate?: ( )
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: ( )oo gee gairhe doo dair?

Eating

Strange as it may sound to speakers of other languages, the verb 食 (chiah) is used to refer to both eating and drinking.

A table for one person/two people, please.: ( )wa dior ya saw ya nung/nor nung, dai diar
Can I look at the menu, please?: ( sia mo cai dua )
Can I look in the kitchen?: ( )wa gee dompow diet?
Is there a house specialty?: ( )oo soo gai horgium bor?
Is there a local specialty?: ( )oo yar mor di pung hor oowar bor?
I'm a vegetarian.: ( )war nah zia sai
I don't eat pork.: ( )wa bor zia ndoo (It's a combination of n and d. It's one syllable.)
I don't eat beef.: ( )wa bor zia goo yuok
I only eat kosher food.: ( )wa bar char ungmor gium
Can you not add too much oil/butter, please?: ( ) Du ho ze bo jiong bang hai doi ew (oil)/ goo ew (butter - really translates to cow oil i guess) dia dia.
fixed-price meal: ( )gium bor bai gee
a la carte: ( )gium doo
breakfast: ( )sair gium
lunch: ( )bwa yet gium: : dinner: : ( )
tea (meal): ( )dair
supper: ( )
I want _____.: ( )wa dior
I want a dish containing _____.: ( )wa dior ze gai oowa oo
chicken: 鸡/雞 goi
beef: 牛肉 goo yuok
fish: 鱼/魚 woo
ham: ( )dooba
sausage: ( )
cheese: ( )
eggs: 卵 nooi
salad: ( )sai
(fresh) vegetables: ( )sai hot
(fresh) fruit: ( )seeiuw gee
bread: ( ) bao
toast: ( )loo dee ywar
noodles
: ()won
rice: 飯 bui
beans: ( )sai giar
May I have a glass of _____?: ( )war ior giow
May I have a cup of _____?: ( )
May I have a bottle of _____?: ( )war ior gwat
coffee: ( )go bee
tea (drink): 茶 dair
juice: ( )siew gee dooi
(bubbly) water: ( )
(still) water: 水 dui
beer: ( )gee iuw
red/white wine: ( )ung gee iuw
May I have some _____?: ( )wa ho zee ior dee dee
salt: 盐/鹽 iam
sugar: 糖 ho
black pepper: ( ) ho gio won (w is a bit silent. O is emphasized.)
butter: 牛油 goo ew
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): ( )
I'm finished.: ( )wa ho la
It was delicious.: ( )gien ho cha
Please clear the plates.: ( )kee ior ywa diet
The check, please.: ( )bai gee la

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: ( )doo oo geeiuw bor?
Is there table service?: ( )oo nung mor sor bor?
A beer/two beers, please.: ( )ya gai geeiuw/ nor gai gee iuw, dai diar
A glass of red/white wine, please.: ( )ya gai giow ung geeiuw
A pint, please.: ( )
A bottle, please.: ( )ya gwat, dair diar
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: ( )hör geeiuw ga dooi
whiskey: ( )
vodka: ( )
rum: ( )
water: ( )dui
club soda: ( )
tonic water: ( )
orange juice: ( ) sing ziap
Coke (soda): ( )
Do you have any bar snacks?: ( )do oo neeiow mee cha bor?
One more, please.: ( )ya gai sul, dai diar.
Another round, please.: ( )ya gai dooi sul, dai diar
When is closing time?: ( )doo kwai gair mee dium?
Cheers!: ( )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: ( )doo yar mor war siung diet bor?
How much is this?: ( )yar mor waa doi gee?
That's too expensive.: ( )goo ooi
Would you take _____?: ( )do ior ya mor bor?
expensive: (贵)goo ooi
cheap: (便宜)bor goo ooi
I can't afford it.: ( )waa bor oo gee
I don't want it.: ( )waa bor dung
You're cheating me.: ( )doo dee kiup nung!
I'm not interested.: (..)boo dee iuw
OK, I'll take it.: ( )ho. war ior
Can I have a bag?: ( )war dior tung
Do you ship (overseas)?: ( )
I need...: ( )waa dior.... more like I want, but wa hâm ioh.... I need to have ..... sounds more demanding and you may come off as spoiled. - in my opinion at least
...toothpaste.: ( )swar paa lee mee
...a toothbrush.: ( )swar paa lee
...tampons.: . ( )
...soap.: ( ) sa bon
...shampoo.: ( )
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ( )
...cold medicine.: ( )ee ior bo hor mee sair dai
...stomach medicine.: ... ( )
...a razor.: ( )
...an umbrella.: ( )
...sunblock lotion.: ( )
...a postcard.: ( )
...postage stamps.: ( )
...batteries.: ( )
...writing paper.: ( )dwa
...a pen.: ( )biet
...English-language books.: ( )ung mor doo
...English-language magazines.: ( )
...an English-language newspaper.: ( )ung mor dwa
...an English-English dictionary.: ( )ung nor sair

Driving

I want to rent a car.: ( )waa dior ee ior ya gai see iar
Can I get insurance?: ( )
stop (on a street sign): ( )yee ar
one way: ( )
yield: ( )
no parking: ( )bor jort ya lair diet
speed limit: ( )
gas (petrol) station: ( )ee yeeow har
petrol: ( )ee yeeow
diesel: ( )

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: ( )war bor dor mee sor。 - 我沒有做错什么。
It was a misunderstanding.: ( ) zha jiang di ngow hui。这是误会的。
Where are you taking me?: ( )doo ee be sua wa hoo dair ?你要带我去哪里？
Am I under arrest?: ( );wa bi lia la? 我被抓吗？
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: ( )wa dee mui gok nang| ao da li a nung| eng gok nang | gia na dai nang|
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: ( )wa dior gan mui gok| ao da li a | eng gok | gea na dai| dua se guan gong mu zuan gong weia .
I want to talk to a lawyer.: (wo bei gang lut sè gong awei ) 我要跟律师讲话。
Can I just pay a fine now?: ( )war deeior gieaw wad gee do let bo? 我可以付罚款费吗？

Going to the Doctors

Doctor 医生 (醫生) yīshēng (yi tear/luk kun)

Nurse 护士 (護士) (mi zee)

Hospital 医院 (醫院) yīyuàn (Yi juan/ lok kun su)

Chinese medicine 中药 (中藥) zhōngyào (tong yok)

Western medicine 西药 (西藥) xīyào (sai yok)

I am sick. 我生病了。 (我生病了。) wǒ shēngbìng (wa huah pear liao) (wa o nine)

My _____ hurts. 我的 ____ 疼/痛。 ( 我的 ____ 疼/痛。) wŏde ____ téng/tòng (wa kai ____ heeah)

Painful 疼/痛 (疼/痛) téng/tòng (heeah)

Sick/Uncomfortable 不舒服 (不舒服) bù shūfu (bo toh lio)

Itchy/ticklish 痒 (痒) yǎng (jio/jee-oh)

Sore (In muscle strains) 酸 (酸) suān (tui)

Fever 发热 (發熱) fārè / 发烧 (發燒) fāshāo (waht-tio)

Cough 咳嗽 (咳嗽) késòu (kaht-tao)

Sneeze 打喷嚏 (打噴嚏) dǎ pēntì

Diarrhoea 拉肚子 (拉肚子) lā dùzi / 泻肚子 (瀉肚子) xiè dùzi (lao taiht/tah-eeht)

Vomiting 呕吐 (嘔吐) ŏu tù (ueek, yea like the sound ueeek when you puke lol)

Running nose 流鼻涕 (流鼻涕) liú bítì (lao pi dui/ lao pi toh)

Phlegm 痰 (痰) tán (haam)

Cut/wound 割伤 (割傷) gēshāng / 伤口 (傷口) shāngkǒu (tiang hao)

Burn 烧伤 (燒傷) shāoshāng (tio tiang, tio means burn, tiang means wounded)

Hands 手 (手) shǒu (siu/see-ut)

Arms 手臂 (手臂) shǒubì / 胳膊 (胳膊) gēbo

Fingers 手指 (手指) shǒuzhǐ (siu/see-ut kia)

Wrist 手腕 (手腕) shǒuwàn

Shoulder 肩膀 (肩膀) jiānbǎng (ka bang)

Feet 脚 (腳) jiǎo (ha)

Toes 脚趾 (腳趾) jiáozhǐ (ha kiat/kee at)

Legs 腿 (腿) tuǐ (ha hui/ hoo eet)

Nails 指甲 (指甲) zhǐjia (siu/see-ut kak)

Body 身体 (身體) shēntǐ (ti mia)

Eyes 眼睛 (眼睛) yǎnjīng (mak)

Ears 耳朵 (耳朵) ěrduo (ee-kiat)

Nose 鼻子 (鼻子) bízi (pi)

Face 脸 (臉) liǎn (ming)

Hair 头发 (頭髮) tóufa (hao mo)

Head 头 (頭) tóu (hao)

Neck 脖子 (脖子) bózi / 颈项 (頸項) jǐngxiàng (lao-deet)

Throat 喉咙 (喉嚨) hóulóng (lao-haang)

Chest 胸 (胸) xiōng

Abdomen 肚子 (肚子) dùzi / 腹 (腹) fù (dao/ dah-aot)

Hip/Waist 腰 (腰) yāo (yao, but different pronunciation)

Buttocks 屁股 (屁股) pìgu (ka sui/ swee-ee(e in bee))

Back 背 (背) bèi (buek/boo-eht)

Medical Insurance 医疗保险 (醫療保險) yīliáo bǎoxiǎn

Doctor's fees 医生费 (醫生費) yīshēng fèi

Prescription 处方 (處方) chǔfāng / 药方 (藥方) yàofāng

Medicine 药 (藥) yào (yeeot)

Pharmacy 药店 (藥店) yàodiàn (yeeot diam)

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