the word "dim"

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matt

the word "dim"

Post by matt »

How do you write the word "dim" as in "dim ar" (how are things?) and "dim sheun" (what'll happen? etc)?

I heard my friend use the word "dim" in the phrase "ngo mo dim jo" and she told me that she used it in a reference to a test/exam that "dim" meant to answer a question. Is the "dim" the same word as in "dim ar"? There is a word "dim" that means to answer a question right? "To touch" means to answer?

Feedback please =) Thanks
-matt
guest

Re: the word "dim"

Post by guest »

it's the character for "a little bit" and "dot"

On scan tron tests where you bubble the answers, you'll "dot" the bubbles, i'm guessing that's what your friend was referring to. she was saying she didn't bubble them in

"dim" is also the word for "how" in cantonese though. they use that character for it, even though the meanings are pretty unrelated (unlike "dot" and "little bit," which are related in meaning) This is the dim in "dim ar", "dim yeung"etc.

"touch" sounds like a completely different character. Different tone too.
Jacky

Re: the word "dim"

Post by Jacky »

one of "touch"s pronunciation is like "da"(搭) and answer "da"(答)
puiwaihin
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a touching subject

Post by puiwaihin »

Matt,

As far as using /dim/ for touching is concerned, I'm not sure if it is the same character or not. But it would make sense if it were since when you /dim/ someone or something you are talking to even the slightest distrubance of it.

For example, m'ou /dim/ /ngoh/! would mean "don't touch me" and that would be in even the slightest sense.

So I think using the same character would make a lot of sense. I'll check the matter out a little more and post back on whether it is the same character or not.

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裴偉軒 Michael Thigpen
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puiwaihin
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dim

Post by puiwaihin »

According to my sources it is the same character. 點

But these are clearly two separate morphemes. Related in a way, but separate.

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裴偉軒 Michael Thigpen
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