William Ashmore

“ Thóin signifies, to perceive. The addition of kìn to the verb is like adding the syllable “ed” to an English verb. thóin-kìn, perceived. thian-kìn, have heard. bũn-kìn, have„ heard„. siẽn-kìn, have thought. ”

“ Force and clearness are derived by combining sĩ, ũ, and tõ, with the verb, as auxiliaries, when occasion requires. In such cases sĩ means is, and tõ has the force of the participial ending ing. Thus, chò, to do; tõ chò, do-ing.
hiēn-chãi—sĩ, just now—there is &c. hiēn-kim i tõ-ṳ̃-pĩ àin-ji̍p lãi-tī, just now he is getting ready to go in the country. hiēn-sî i tõ-phòu-lãi chò-khang-khùe, at present he is in the shop doing work. chí-chūn-mue̍h tháng sia̍p-lāu, just now the cask is leaking. hiēn-chhṳ́-chãi i ũ-pēn, at the present time he is ill. ”

“ I will obey you. hi-mōn chiang-lâi õi-tit chò-tōa-kuan, hoped that hereafter he might be come a great mandarin. lṳ́ chiang-lâi kâi-miân sĩ-phang, your future name will be fragrant. chiang-lâi sĩ-ũ chò-nîn, in the future how will it be? lṳ́ kâi-huân-ló àin-pièn-chò huan-hí, your sorrow shall be turned into joy. chí-kâi lîm-lîm-liáu, uá chiũ ji̍p-lâi sùan-tàn, when these (your words) are barely finished I will come in and continue the conversation. bõi-sún-tie̍h che̍k-tiâu thâu-môn, you will not be injured a hair of your head. ”