Ä’ = Can
BÄ“ = Cannot
The most basic way to express the idea of 'can' and 'cannot' in Hokkien is by using ē and bē. They connote the ability (or lack thereof) to do something, where the ability in context does not involve a technical skill. Check out the following examples.
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Goa miacai e toi li khi hitai.
= I can accompany you to the cinema tomorrow. -
Akong be khun ing-ui i thama epo lim kopi.
= Grandpa cannot sleep because he drank coffee this afternoon.
Ēhià u = Knows how to
Bēhià u = Does not know how to
Ēhià u and bēhià u are also used to describe an ability (or lack thereof), where ēhiau is used to express the idea that someone knows how to do something, and bēhià u is used to express the idea that someone does not.
However, unlike ē and bē as described above, ēhiau and bēhià u are used only when the ability in context involves a technical skill, such as painting, cooking, or doing math problems. Examples:
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Andy ehiau siuli tiennau.
= Andy knows how to fix computers. -
Hakseng behiau co kongkho.
= The students does not know how to do the homework.
Ēsà i = Allowed to
Bēsà i = Not allowed to
To express the permissibility of doing something, use ēsà i and bēsà i. Examples:
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Lause kong tan goalang khochek ho liau, esai li thatkiu.
= The teacher says after we finish the exams, we are allowed to play soccer. -
Goa e tia besai ho wa chut kau thai am.
= My dad does not allow me to stay out too late.
