Taiwanese-English Dictionary

Phrases and combinations for "for, to, from, on. The Taiwanese have a little gimmick in regard to the use of this preposition "ka". The direct object of very many verbs can be placed before the verb and preceded by "ka"":

Taiwanese	English Translation
Bueh kā lí phah. Bueh phah lí.	I'll hit you.
Audio:    Plaintext: Bueh4 ka7 li2 phah4. Bueh4 phah4 li2. Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 要打你。
Mài kā i tshìo. Mài tshìo i.	Don't laugh at him.
Audio:    Plaintext: Mai3 ka7 i1 tshio3. Mai3 tshio3 i1. Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 不要笑他。
Bô ài kā lí tsò.	I won't do it for you.
Audio:    Plaintext: Bo5 ai3 ka7 li2 tso3. Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 不要替你做。不要幫你做。
Bô ài kā lí bé.	I won't buy it for (or from) you.
Audio:    Plaintext: Bo5 ai3 ka7 li2 be2. Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 不要替你買，不要向你買。
Mài kā gúa tshòng-tī.	Don't make a fool out of me.
Audio:    Plaintext: Mai3 ka7 gua2 tshong3-ti7. Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 不要作弄我。
Mài kā i kóng.	Don't tell him.
Audio:    Plaintext: Mai3 ka7 i1 kong2. Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 不要告訴他。
kā lí tsioh	borrow from you
Audio:    Plaintext: ka7 li2 tsioh4 Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 向你借