Animals

1. 狗仔

   gieu2 e2

   Dog

   Usage

   The word for a dog — for pointing one out or warning about one

   Grammar Note

   仔 is a noun suffix; the one-character 狗 is only a pointer to this entry

2. 貓仔

   meu3 e2

   Cat

   Usage

   The word for a cat

   Grammar Note

   The one-character 貓 is only a pointer to this entry

3. 鳥仔

   diau1 e2

   Bird

   Usage

   The word for birds in general — useful when birdwatching

   Grammar Note

   Never say 鳥 alone, which has a vulgar sense; always use the form with 仔

4. 白鶴仔

   pag8 hog8 e2

   Egret

   Usage

   The word for the white egrets seen in paddies and wetlands

   Grammar Note

   A general word for white herons and egrets; a headword

5. 麻雀

   ma5 jiog4

   Sparrow

   Usage

   The word for the sparrow. It also means the game mahjong

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary lists both the bird and the game mahjong

6. 魚

   ng5

   Fish

   Usage

   The word for fish — used at markets and eateries

   Grammar Note

   A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

7. 馬

   ma1

   Horse

   Usage

   The word for a horse

   Grammar Note

   A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

8. 牛

   ngiu5

   Cow

   Usage

   The word for a cow or ox

   Grammar Note

   A one-character headword; the water buffalo is 水牛

9. 水牛

   sui2 ngiu5

   Water buffalo

   Usage

   The word for the water buffalo that works the paddies

   Grammar Note

   A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

10. 豬仔

    zu1 e2

    Pig

    Usage

    The word for a pig

    Grammar Note

    The one-character 豬 is only a pointer to this entry

11. 山豬

    san1 zu1

    Wild boar

    Usage

    The word for the wild boar of the Taiwanese mountains

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as the Taiwanese wild boar

12. 鴨

    ab4

    Duck

    Usage

    The word for a duck

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

13. 羊仔

    iong5 e2

    Goat / sheep

    Usage

    The general word for sheep and goats

    Grammar Note

    A general word covering sheep and goats; 綿羊 specifies sheep

14. 猴仔

    heu5 e2

    Monkey

    Usage

    The word for a monkey — for when you meet one on a mountain

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

15. 熊

    iung5

    Bear

    Usage

    The word for a bear

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

16. 蛇

    sa5

    Snake

    Usage

    The word for a snake — to warn others when you see one on a trail

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

17. 龜

    gui1

    Turtle

    Usage

    The word for a turtle or tortoise

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

18. 𧊅仔

    guai2 e2

    Frog

    Usage

    The word for a frog, often heard calling in the paddies

    Grammar Note

    𧊅 is a Hakka-specific character (CJK Extension B), always paired with 仔

19. 壁蛇

    biag4 sa5

    House gecko

    Usage

    The word for the gecko on the wall, a harmless eater of mosquitoes

    Grammar Note

    Literally "wall snake"; the dictionary glosses it as 壁虎 (gecko)

20. 狗嫲蛇

    gieu2 ma5 sa5

    Lizard

    Usage

    The word for the lizard that runs along the ground

    Grammar Note

    Literally "female-dog snake"; the dictionary glosses it as lizard / skink

21. 老鼠

    lo3 cu2

    Rat / mouse

    Usage

    The word for a rat or mouse

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

22. 兔仔

    tu3 e2

    Rabbit

    Usage

    The word for a rabbit

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

23. 蚊仔

    mun1 e2

    Mosquito

    Usage

    The word for a mosquito — useful when asking for repellent

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

24. 黃蚻

    vong5 cad8

    Cockroach

    Usage

    The word for a cockroach

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

25. 蟻公

    ngie3 gung1

    Ant

    Usage

    The word for an ant

    Grammar Note

    公 literally means male, but the word names ants generally

26. 糖蜂仔

    tong5 pung1 e2

    Bee

    Usage

    The word for the honeybee

    Grammar Note

    糖 means sugar or sweet; the whole is a headword

27. 蜘蛛

    di1 du1

    Spider

    Usage

    The word for a spider

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

28. 蜈蚣蟲

    ng2 gung1 cung5

    Centipede

    Usage

    The word for a centipede, found in soil and damp places

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

29. 揚蝶仔

    iong5 iag8 e2

    Butterfly

    Usage

    The word for a butterfly

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

30. 烏蠅

    vu1 in5

    Fly

    Usage

    The word for a fly

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

31. 揚尾仔

    iong5 mi1 e2

    Dragonfly

    Usage

    The word for a dragonfly, seen over ponds and paddies

    Grammar Note

    A word listed as a headword in the MOE dictionary.

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