Taiwanese-English Dictionary

Phrases and combinations for "duck, drake":

Taiwanese	English Translation
Tshit-gue̍h-pùann-ah-á m̄ tsai sí (sí-ua̍h).	unaware of impending calamity (Refers to a duck in the middle of the seventh month, when ducks are usually offered to the spirits of the dead, yet do not know enough to fear death. -- Similar to a turkey just before Thanksgiving), used to scold someone wh
Audio:    Plaintext: Tshit4-gueh8-puann3-ah4-a2 m7 tsai1 si2 (si2-uah8). Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 危在旦夕，還不知。
ah-á-tshùi bóng lo	make an attempt or ask a favor with very small hope of success but may just as well make the attempt (like a duck's bill dabbling about in the air while eating)
Audio:    Plaintext: ah4-a2-tshui3 bong2 lo1 Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 姑妄要求
ah-á thiann lûi	hear what someone says but cannot understand (like a duck hearing thunder not knowing what all the noise is about)
Audio:    Plaintext: ah4-a2 thiann1 lui5 Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 鴨子聽打雷，聽不懂
ah-bó-tê	flat footed clumsily gaited person (Lit. sole of a duck's foot), a man whose foot is very broad and flat at the instep instead of having the usual concave)
Audio:    Plaintext: ah4-bo2-te5 Taiwanese characters: None Mandarin translation: 平板腳