Idioms

Si4ku3 (lit. custom saying) = idioms

1. Tua3cu4-tua3yi3 (lit. big master-big intention) = taking an action without authorization

Wait for the nurse to check, don't take off the infusion tube = tan4 hu4se4 lai3 khuua3, mai4 tua3cu4-tua3yi3 thau4 infus

2. Yiu3phii1-yiu3chii1-yiu3kae3lor3pii1-yiu3kiam3suui3tii1 (lit. it's cheap - it's fresh - it's streetside - it's salty, sour, sweet) = cheaper and good 

Many Medanese like to shop in Bangkok because the goods are cheap and good = ciia2 cay3 Medan lang2 suka khi4 Bangkok shopping ui3liau4 bik3kiia3 yiu3phii1-yiu3chii1-yiu3kae3lor3pii1-yiu3kiam3suui3tii1

3. Chi3-liau4-bi4 (lit. feed-used up-rice) = useless child

That useless child just ran away from home = hay1lay1 chi3-liau4-bi4 ay1 kiia4 thau3cau4 lor3

4. Ciak3-bay3-ta1 (lit. eat-cannot-dry) = jealous

My neighbor is jealous of me for having the latest BYD car = wa4 ay1 kay4piak3 chu3 ciak3-bay3-ta1 wa4 u3 tay1 sin1 ay1 BYD chia1

5. Bo3-hu2-hae2-pun4-ho4 (lit. no-fish-shrimp-also-fine) = choose an alternative when something is not available

Don't choose anymore, take what is available = miayn4 kayng4 liau4, bo3-hu2-hae2-pun4-ho4

6. Kay1-kak3-ak3 (lit. chicken-and-duck) = two people having a communication barrier, either by language or logic

They always have a communication barrier, how can they work together? = i1lang2 tak3pai4 siang2 kay1-kak3-ak3, an1cuua4 ay3 hap3cork3?

7. Tua3-lau3-gu2 (lit. big-old-cow) = a grown-up but still immature

You are grown-up, go find a job! = tua3-lau3-gu2 liau4, khuai3 khi4 choi3 kang1!

8. Paek3-thau2-ciau4 (lit. white-head-bird) = policeman

There are policemen at the junction = u3 paek3-thau2-ciau4 uan1 uan3thau2 kak3

9. Puua1-thang1-sai4 (lit. half-bucket-shit) = mediocre person/ average-skilled person

Don't use his service anymore, he is a mediocre = mai4 iorng3 i1 liau4, puua1-thang1-sai4 ay1

10. Bo3-lor3-iorng3 (lit. no-way-use) = useless person

That useless guy still dares to meet his girl = hay1lay1 bo3lor3iorng3 ta3por1 kok4 kaa4 khi4 tu4 i1ay1 ca3bor4

11. Taa4-saae3-ciok1 (lit. gut-grow-stone) = brave person

She is fearless although she is just a kid = bo3chap1 i1 si3 gi1na4, i1 ay1 taa4-saae3-ciok1

12. Or3-am4-hin2 (lit. black-dark-dizzy) = being in great difficulty

He just lost his money in gambling, now he is in great difficulty = i1 baru puak3kiau4 su1, torng3kim1 i1 or3-am4-hin2

13. Ciak3-lat1 (lit. eat-energy) = terrible situation

I just pressed the wrong one, it's terrible! = wa4 baru taae3 salah, ciak3-lat1 liau4!

14. Kham4-ce3payng2-bak3ciu1 (lit. close-one side-eye) = close one's eyes/ refuse to acknowledge

He is the boss's son, just close one's eyes on him = i1 si3 thau3kay1 ay1 ta3por3 kiia4, kham4-ce3payng2-bak3ciu1 aja

15. Ciak3-khor4 (lit. eat-bitter) = struggle 

It's fine to struggle when you are young = siau4liayn2 ciak3-khor4 biau2kin4

16. Chui3-kam3-kim1 (lit. mouth-mouthing-gold) = keep silent

You should ask if you don't know, don't keep silent = lu4 na3si3 em3cai1, ayng3kai1 mui3, mai4 chui3-kam3-kim1

17. Theng4ciak4-kha1 (lit. ???-foot) = barefoot

Don't go out barefoot! = mai4 theng4ciak4-kha1 chut4mui2!

18. Hiam2tang1-hiam2sai1 (lit. complain east-complain west) = picky

Just eat the vegetables, don't be picky! = ciak3 chai3 te3ho4 la1, mai4 hiam2tang1-hiam2sai1!

19. Bo3-khang3-thau2 (lit. no-healthy-head) = someone asking for a favor that annoys the one being asked for

She's always looking for me, there's nothing good (for me) = i1 tiam3tiam3 choi3 wa4, bo3-khang3-thau2 ay1