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How do you ask for help in Taiwanese Hokkien?

Expect to hear 你有要緊無？ (Lí ū iàu-kín bô?, "Are you all right?"). Useful things to say: 救人喔！ (Kiù-lâng ooh!, "Help!") and 我無爽快。 (Guá bô sóng-khuài., "I'm not feeling well").

Draft: First draft. A native Taiwanese speaker has not checked these lines yet, and some wording varies between north and south. Tell us if something sounds off.

The whole conversation: When something goes wrong

If you are unwell or lost, say it in Mandarin or English first. These lines help when the person in front of you is an older local.

  1. You say
    救人喔！ Kiù-lâng ooh! Help!

    In an emergency call 119 for an ambulance or fire and 110 for the police.

  2. You say
    我無爽快。 Guá bô sóng-khuài. I'm not feeling well.
  3. You say
    我腹肚疼。 Guá pak-tóo thiànn. My stomach hurts.
  4. You say
    遮足疼。 Tsia tsiok thiànn. It really hurts here.
  5. You say
    我欲看醫生。 Guá beh khuànn i-sing. I need to see a doctor.
  6. You hear
    你有要緊無？ Lí ū iàu-kín bô? Are you all right?
  7. You say
    我的手機無去矣。 Guá ê tshiú-ki bô--khì ah. My phone has gone.
  8. You say
    我揣無路。 Guá tshuē bô lōo. I can't find my way.
  9. You hear
    我共你鬥相共。 Guá kā lí tàu-sann-kāng. I'll help you.
  10. You say
    警察局佇佗位？ Kíng-tshat-kio̍k tī tó-uī? Where's the police station?
Is this what people really say here?

Questions about this scene

How do you ask for help in Taiwanese Hokkien?

Expect to hear 你有要緊無？ (Lí ū iàu-kín bô?, "Are you all right?"). Useful things to say: 救人喔！ (Kiù-lâng ooh!, "Help!") and 我無爽快。 (Guá bô sóng-khuài., "I'm not feeling well").

What does "你有要緊無？" mean in Taiwanese Hokkien?

It means "Are you all right?". It is pronounced Lí ū iàu-kín bô?. A natural reply is 我的手機無去矣。 (Guá ê tshiú-ki bô--khì ah.), "My phone has gone".