In this episode, we’ve talked about how to express the four seasons and common weather conditions in Taiwanese. Also, we learned some names of seasonal fruits. (These show notes use tables and rich formatting. Please visit the episode webpage for an optimal viewing experience.) SENTENCES AND VOCABULARY TAIWANESE ENGLISH sù-kuì the four seasons tshun-hā-tshiu-tang a common expression for the four seasons. (literally: “spring-summer-fall-winter”) tshun-thinn spring, springtime jua̍h-thinn / jua̍h--lâng / hā-thinn summer, summertime jua̍h hot or warm Usage note: “jua̍h” is used when talking about the weather, environment, or one’s own feeling of body temperature. Guā-kháu tsin jua̍h. It is hot outside. Guá tsin jua̍h! I’m really hot! (the sun is shining, and you’re starting to sweat and feel hot) sio hot or warm Usage note: “sio” is used to describe things or body parts, usually something that makes you feel warm or hot when you touch it. Thng tsin sio. The soup is hot. tshiu-thinn fall, autumn Tiong-tshiu-tseh Mid-Autumn Festival liâng cool kuânn-thinn / kuânn--lâng / tang-thinn winter, wintertime kuânn cold Usage note: “kuânn” is used when talking about the weather, environment, or one’s own feeling of body temperature. Guā-kháu tsin kuânn. Outside it’s really cold. líng cold Usage note: “líng” is used to describe things or body parts, usually something that makes you feel cold when you touch it. It can also be used to talk about weather or environment. Tsuí tsin líng. The water is cold. I ê tshiú tsin líng. Her hands are cold. hó-thinn nice weather; sunny, clear weather Kin-á-ji̍t hó-thinn. Today is a nice day, or a sunny, clear day. pháinn-thinn bad weather oo-im-thinn cloudy weather lo̍h-seh to snow lo̍h to fall; to come down Guā-kháu teh lo̍h-seh. It’s snowing outside. Grammar note: “teh + verb” is similar to “be + v-ing” in English. It’s a way to mark that the action is continuous or ongoing. lo̍h-hōo to rain sai-pak-hōo a natural phenomenon of sudden afternoon thunderstorms during the summer Hōo tsin tuā. The rain is heavy. Hong tsin thàu. The wind is strong. luî-kong thunder tân-luî-kong to thunder sih-nah lightning luî-kong-hōo thunderstorm sip humid La̍k--gue̍h kàu tsa̍p--gue̍h ū tsin tsē hong-thai. From June until October, there are many typhoons. hong-thai typhoon; hurricane kué-tsí / tsuí-kó fruit “Strawberry“ Tâi-gí án-tsuánn kóng? How do you say “strawberry” in Taiwanese? tsháu-m̂ / tshì-pho strawberry kiat-á kumquat sik-khia custard apple, sugar apple, or sweetsop ông-lâi pineapple tshiū-m̂ bayberry muê-á plum suāinn-á mango lāi-tsi lychee thô-á peach hué-liông-kó dragonfruit khī / khī-á persimmon iū-á pomelo *Syllables that have been greyed out require tone changes. For more about seasons, weather and fruits, go check out our downloadable workbook! You’ll also find additional vocabulary with characters, pronunciation notes, grammar explanations, culture tips, and fun exercises to help your practice. Music Credit: TeknoAXE