Religion & Temples

1. 這間廟是拜啥物神？

   Tsit-king biō sī pài siánn-mih sîn?

   Which deity is worshipped in this temple?

   Usage

   Used to ask which deity is enshrined in a Taiwanese temple

   Grammar Note

   Taiwanese folk religion blends Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism; each temple has its own deity

2. 媽祖是啥物神？

   Má-tsóo sī siánn-mih sîn?

   What kind of deity is Mazu?

   Usage

   Used to ask about Mazu, the most widely worshipped deity in Taiwan

   Grammar Note

   Mazu was originally a sea guardian but is now widely venerated in Taiwan for general protection

3. 我袂當入去廟內無？

   Guá bē-tàng ji̍p-khì biō-lāi bô?

   Am I not allowed to enter the temple?

   Usage

   Used to ask about entry restrictions at a Taiwanese temple

   Grammar Note

   bē-tàng (袂當) means "cannot" or "is not permitted" in Taiwanese

4. 點香愛按怎做？

   Tiám-hiunn ài án-tsuánn tsò?

   How do I light incense?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the proper way to light incense at a temple

   Grammar Note

   ài (愛) + verb expresses "must" or "should" in Taiwanese

5. 今年的媽祖遶境是佗一工？

   Kin-nî ê Má-tsóo jiàu-kíng sī tó-tsi̍t-kang?

   When is this year's Mazu procession?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the date of a major Taiwanese religious procession

   Grammar Note

   kang (工) means "day" in Taiwanese; tsi̍t-kang (一工) means "one day"

6. 這間廟每工幾點開門？

   Tsit-king biō muí-kang kuí-tiám khui-mn̂g?

   What time does this temple open every day?

   Usage

   Used to ask about temple opening hours

   Grammar Note

   muí (每) means "every"; muí-kang (每工) means "every day"

7. 神明生日愛按怎慶祝？

   Sîn-bîng senn-ji̍t ài án-tsuánn khìng-tsiok?

   How do people celebrate a deity's birthday?

   Usage

   Used to ask about Taiwanese religious festival customs

   Grammar Note

   Taiwanese temples hold elaborate festivals on each deity's birthday according to the lunar calendar

8. 我是基督徒，請問附近有教會無？

   Guá sī Ki-tok-tôo, tshiánn-mn̄g hù-kīn ū kàu-huē bô?

   I am a Christian. Is there a church nearby?

   Usage

   Used by Christian travelers to find a nearby church

   Grammar Note

   Taiwan has many Christian churches; some Sunday services are conducted in English

9. 跋桮愛按怎做？

   Pua̍h-pue ài án-tsuánn tsò?

   How do you perform jiao (divination blocks)?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the ritual of throwing jiao (moon blocks) at a Taiwanese temple

   Grammar Note

   Jiao divination involves throwing crescent-shaped wooden blocks to communicate with deities

10. 這間廟的歷史有幾冬？

    Tsit-king biō ê li̍k-sú ū kuí-tang?

    How many years of history does this temple have?

    Usage

    Used to ask about the age and history of a temple

    Grammar Note

    tang (冬) means "year" in Taiwanese, corresponding to Mandarin nián (年)

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