Time Expressions and Tenses
Time Words§
Specific Days§
| English | Hakka |
|---|---|
| Today | kinyit |
| Yesterday | chu punyit |
General Time§
| English | Hakka |
|---|---|
| Now / Right now | li ha |
| Sometimes | sangha |
| Usually | biasa |
Times of Day§
See Essentials/Calendar-Time.md for complete list:
- Morning = co
- Afternoon = ha-ciu
- Evening/Night = am
- Etc.
Expressing “Already” - Completed Actions§
Pattern 1: Verb + pau§
Pau indicates completion or “already done.”
| Example | English |
|---|---|
| Sit pau | Already eaten |
| Ho liau | Already (general) |
Usage in Questions and Answers:§
Q: Nyi sit pau mang? (Have you eaten yet?)
A: Sit pau (Already eaten)
OR
Mang sit (Haven't eaten yet)Pattern 2: Co to§
For work completion:
- Co to = finished/completed
- Ngai co to pat tiam am = I finish at 8 pm
Expressing “Not Yet” - Incomplete Actions§
Using “mang”§
Mang = not yet, haven’t
| Example | English |
|---|---|
| Mang sit | Haven’t eaten yet |
| Mang co | Haven’t finished yet |
Expressing Ongoing Actions§
Pattern: jiu + Verb§
Jiu indicates ongoing or habitual action.
| Example | English |
|---|---|
| Jiu co se | Working (now) |
| Ngai jiu co se | I am working |
With time words:§
- Jiu co se kinyit = Working today
- Kinyit jiu co se mo? = Are you working today?
Expressing Future Intentions§
Pattern 1: boi + Verb§
Boi can indicate future action (will).
| Example | English |
|---|---|
| Si boi lok sui | Will rain |
| Ngai boi mai pun nyi | I will buy it for you |
| Ngai kai bui ten nyi | I will wait for you |
Pattern 2: oi + Verb (Want to / Will)§
Oi = want to (can indicate future plan).
| Example | English |
|---|---|
| Ngai oi sit | I want to eat |
| Ngai oi con | I want to go home |
| Ngai oi hok | I want to learn |
Time Positioning in Sentences§
Beginning of Sentence§
Time words often come first:
| Example | English |
|---|---|
| Kinyit ngai an ho | Today I’m very good |
| Kinyit jiu co se mo? | Are you working today? |
| Kinyit mo co se | Today I’m not working |
| Li ha ngai kuliah | Right now I’m studying |
| Sangha ngai jiu co se | Sometimes I work |
With Li ha (Right now)§
Li ha emphasizes the current moment:
- Li ha ngai kuliah Paris e bi = Right now I study in Paris
- Li ha ngai buk kha = Right now I’m at home
Frequency Expressions§
| English | Hakka | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Sometimes | sangha | Sangha ngai jiu co se (Sometimes I work) |
| Usually | biasa | Biasa si… (Usually when…) |
Talking About Schedules§
Work Times:§
Q: Co to jit to tiam? (What time will you finish?)
A: Ngai co to pat tiam am (I finish at 8 pm)Appointment Times:§
Q: Kit to tiam? (What time?)
A: Sam tiam (3 pm)Pattern: [Time] + tiam§
- Sam tiam = 3 o’clock
- Pat tiam am = 8 pm
- Sip tiam co = 10 am
Duration and Continuation§
”Still” - an an§
| Example | English |
|---|---|
| An an co | Still morning |
”Already” (change of state) - ciu liau§
| Example | English |
|---|---|
| Ciu liau | Already (afternoon now) |
Expressing Hope for Future§
Pok ki + Statement§
Pok ki = hope that
| Example | English |
|---|---|
| Pok ki lok sui | Hope it rains |
Time-Related Question Patterns§
| Question | Answer Pattern | English |
|---|---|---|
| Kit to tiam? | [Number] tiam | What time? → 3 o’clock |
| Co to jit to tiam? | Co to [number] tiam | When finish? → Finish at 8 |
| Kinyit jiu co se mo? | Jiu/Mo co se kinyit | Working today? → Yes/No |
Example Sentences with Time§
-
Kinyit chit fun sau
- Today is very hot (present)
-
Ngai chi to si boi lok sui
- I think it will rain (future)
-
Sit pau mang?
- Have you eaten yet? (completed action check)
-
Li ha ngai kuliah Paris e bi, tapi sangha ngai jiu co se
- Right now I study in Paris, but sometimes I work (present continuous + frequency)
-
Ngai co to pat tiam am
- I finish at 8 pm (scheduled future)
-
Chu punyit nyi nai bui?
- Where were you yesterday? (past)
Notes§
- Hakka doesn’t have strict verb conjugation like Romance languages
- Time is indicated by context words (kinyit, li ha, sangha) rather than verb changes
- Pau and liau both indicate completion
- Jiu indicates ongoing or habitual actions
- Boi can indicate future actions (will)
- Position of time words is flexible but often comes early in sentence
—The Gardener