This is a Swadesh list of Sinitic languages, specifically Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien, Eastern Min, Wu and Xiang, compared with that of English. Sinitic languages are alternatively known as Chinese dialects.

Presentation

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For further information, including the full final version of the list, read the Wikipedia article: Swadesh list.

American linguist Morris Swadesh believed that languages changed at measurable rates and that these could be determined even for languages without written precursors. Using vocabulary lists, he sought to understand not only change over time but also the relationships of extant languages. To be able to compare languages from different cultures, he based his lists on meanings he presumed would be available in as many cultures as possible. He then used the fraction of agreeing cognates between any two related languages to compute their divergence time by some (still debated) algorithms. Starting in 1950 with 165 meanings, his list grew to 215 in 1952, which was so expansive that many languages lacked native vocabulary for some terms. Subsequently, it was reduced to 207, and reduced much further to 100 meanings in 1955. A reformulated list was published posthumously in 1971.

List

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Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
1-91 92-146 147-207


The following varieties that are referenced are listed below. Please refer to their respective pages for more information.

EnglishMandarin
普通話普通话 (pǔtōnghuà)
edit (207)
Mandarin
四川話四川话 (Sìchuānhuà)
edit (207)
Mandarin
南京話南京话 (Nánjīnghuà)
edit (207)
Cantonese
廣州話广州话 (gwong2 zau1 waa6-2)
edit (207)
Hakka
粵台客家話粤台客家话
edit (207)
Hokkien
閩南語闽南语
edit (207)
Eastern Min
閩東語闽东语 (mìng-dĕ̤ng-ngṳ̄)
edit (207)
Wu
上海閒話上海闲话
edit (207)
Wu
蘇州閒話苏州闲话
edit (207)
Xiang
長沙話长沙话
edit (207)
147sun太陽太阳 (tàiyang)太陽太阳 (tai4 yang2)太陽太阳 (tä4 iang2)太陽太阳 (taai3 joeng4), 日頭日头 (jat6 tau4-2), 熱頭热头 (jit6 tau4-2)日頭日头 (ngit-thèu)太陽太阳 (thài-iông)*, 日頭日头 (ji̍t-thâu)*日頭日头 (nĭk-tàu)太陽太阳 (tha5 yan6)太陽太阳 (tha5 yan2)日頭日头 (r6 dou)
148moon月亮 (yuèliang)月亮 (yue2 niang4)月亮 (üe5 liang4)月亮 (jyut6 loeng6)月光 (ngie̍t-kông)月亮 (ge̍h-niû) (nguŏk)月亮 (yuiq8 lian6)月亮 (ngeq8 lian6)*, 亮月 (lian6 ngeq8)*月亮 (ye6 lian5)
149star (xīng), 恆星恒星 (héngxīng)*星宿兒星宿儿 (xin1 xiur4), 星星兒星星儿 (xin1 xinr1)星星 (sin1 sin1) (sing1)星仔 (sên-é) (chhiⁿ)星星 (sĭng sĭng)星星 (shin1 shin1), (shin1) (sin1), 星星 (sin1 sin1)星子 (sin1 zr)
150water (shuǐ) (sui3) (shuei3) (seoi2) (súi) (chùi) (sy5), (zo6)* (syu3), (zo2)* (xyei3)
151rain () (yu3) (ü4) (jyu5) () (hō͘) (yu6) (yu6) (y3)
152river () (ho2) (ho2) (ho4) () () (ò̤)河浜 (wu6 pan1) (ghou2), (pan1)* (ho2)
153lake () (fu2) (hu2) (wu4) () (ô͘) () (wu6) (ghou6) (fu2)
154sea (hǎi) (hai3) (hä3) (hoi2) (hói) (hái) (hāi) (he5) (he3) (hai3)
155salt (yán)鹽巴盐巴 (yan2 ba1) (iän2) (jim4) (yàm) (iâm) (yi6) (ye2) (ienn2)
156stone (shí)*, 石頭石头 (shítou)石頭石头 (si2 tou2-1)石頭石头 (shr5 tou2) (sek6), 石頭石头 (sek6 tau4)石牯 (sa̍k-kú) (chio̍h)*, 石頭石头 (chio̍h-thâu)石頭石头 (zaq8 deu6)石頭石头 (zaq8 deu2)石頭石头 (shr6 dou)
157sand (shā)河沙 (ho2 sa1)沙子 (sha1 zy3) (saa1) () (soa)沙子 (so1 tsy5) (so1), 河沙 (ghou2 so1)沙婆 (sa1 bo2)
158dust塵土尘土 (chéntǔ) (hui1) (huei1) (can4)塵灰尘灰 (chhṳ̀n-fôi)土粉 (thô͘-hún)塕塵塕尘 (ŭng-dìng) (hue1), 灰塵灰尘 (hue1 zen6)灰塵灰尘 (hue1 zen2) (fei1)
159earth土壤 (tǔyǎng) (tu3) (tu3) (nai4)土地 (thú-thi)地球 (tē-kiû)*爛泥烂泥 (na6 gni6)爛泥烂泥 (le6 gni2)泥巴 (nyi2 ba1)
160cloud (yún) (yun2) (üin2) (wan4) (yun2) (hûn) (hùng) (yun6) (yun2) (yn2)
161fog () (wu4) (u4) (mou6)濛沙蒙沙 (mùng-sâ) () (ô) (wu6)迷露 (mi2 lou6)罩子 (zau4 zr)
162sky (tiān) (tian1) (tiän1) (tin1) (thiên) (thiⁿ) (tiĕng) (thi1) (thie1) (tienn1)
163wind (fēng) (fong1) (fen4) (fung1) (fûng) (hong) (hŭng) (fon1) (fon1) (hong1)
164snow (xuě) (xue2) (süe5) (syut3) (siet) (seh) (siók) (shiq7) (siq7) (sie6)
165ice (bīng) (bin1) (bin1) (bing1) (pên) (peng) (bĭng) (pin1) (pin1)
166smoke (yān)煙煙烟烟 (yan1 yan1) (iän1) (jin1) (yên) (hun) (iĕng) (i1) (ie1) (ienn1)
167fire (huǒ) (ho3) (ho3) (fo2) () () (hu5) (hou3) (ho3)
168ash (huī)*, 灰燼灰烬 (huījìn) (hui1) (huei1) (fui1) (fôi) (he)*, 火灰 (hé-hu) (huŏi) (hue1) (hue1)[[#Xiang|]]
169to burn (shāo) (sao1) (shao1) (siu1) (sêu) (hiâⁿ) (siĕu) (sau1) (sau1)[[#Xiang|]]
170road () (nu4) (lu4) (lou6) (lu) (lō͘)𰉣 (diô) (lu6) (lou6) (lou5)
171mountain (shān) (san1) (shang1) (saan1) (sân) (soaⁿ) (săng) (se1) (se1) (san1)
172red (hóng) (hong2) (hong2) (hung4)紅色红色 (fùng-set) (âng) (ghon6), 紅顏色红颜色 (ghon6 nge6 seq7) (ghon2) (hong2)
173green绿 ()绿 (nu2)绿 (lu5)绿 (luk6)青色 (chhiâng-set)绿 (le̍k), (chhiⁿ)绿绿 (loq8), 綠顏色绿颜色 (loq8 nge6 seq7)绿 (loq8)绿 (lou6)
174yellow (huáng) (huang2) (huang2) (wong4)黃色黄色 (vòng-set) (n̂g) (uòng) (waon6), 黃顏色黄颜色 (waon6 nge6 seq7) (waon2)
175white (bái) (be2) (bä5) (baak6)白色 (pha̍k-set) (pe̍h) (baq8), 白顏色白颜色 (baq8 nge6 seq7) (baq8) (be6)
176black (hēi) (he2) (hä5) (hak1)烏色乌色 (vû-set) () (ŭ) (heq7), 黑顏色黑颜色 (heq7 nge6 seq7) (heq7) (he6)
177night夜晚 (yèwǎn)擦黑 (ca2 he2), 晚上 (wan3 sang4)晚上 (uang3 shang4)夜晚 (je6 maan5), 夜晚黑 (je6 maan5 hak1), 晚黑 (maan5 hak1), 晚頭晚头 (maan5 tau4-2)暗晡 (am-pû)暗時暗时 (àm-sî)暝晡 (màng-buŏ)夜裏夜里 (ya6 li6), 夜裏向夜里向 (ya6 li6 shian5), 夜到 (ya6 tau5), 夜頭夜头 (ya6 deu6)夜裏夜里 (ia1 li6), 夜裏向夜里向 (ia1 li6 shian5)夜間子夜间子
178day白天 (báitiān)白天 (be2 tian1)白天 (bä5 tiän1)日頭日头 (jat6 tau4-2)日時頭日时头 (ngit-sṳ̀-thèu)日時日时 (ji̍t-sî)日中 (nĭk-dŏng)日裏向日里向 (gniq8 li6 shian5), 日裏日里 (gniq8 li6)日裏日里 (gniq8 li6), 日裏向日里向 (gniq8 li6 shian5)白天
179year (nián) (nyian2) (liän2) (nin4) (ngièn) () (nièng) (gni6) (gnie2) (nyienn2)
180warm溫暖温暖 (wēnnuǎn)[[#Mandarin|]]暖和 (luang3 ho2) (nyun5) (ngie̍t)燒烙烧烙 (sio-lō) (iĕk)暖熱暖热 (noe6 gniq8), (uen1)暖熱暖热 (noe2 gniq8), (uen1)*[[#Xiang|]]
181cold (lěng) (nen3) (len3) (dung3) (lâng) (kôaⁿ) (chéng) (lan6) (lan6) (len3)
182full滿 (mǎn)滿 (man3)滿 (mang3)滿 (mun5)滿 (muāng)滿 (bóan/móa), , (tīⁿ)滿滿 (moe6)*, (pau5)*滿 (moe6)*, (pau3)*滿 (monn3)
183new (xīn) (xin1) (sin1) (san1) (sîn) (sin) (sĭng) (shin1) (sin1) (sin1)
184old (lǎo)*, (jiù)* (nao3)*, (jiu4)* (lao3)*, (jou4)* (lou5)*, (gau6)* (), (khiu)* (lāu)*, ()* (jieu6)*, (lau6)* (jieu6)*, (lau6)* (lau3)*
185good (hǎo) (hao3) (hao3) (hou2) () () (hau5) (hau3) (hau3)
186bad (huài) (huai4), (pie4) (huä4), (lä4), (lao1) (waai6) (fái) (pháiⁿ) (ngài) (wa6) (wa6/ua5 (old fashioned)), (chieu1),
187rotten (làn)[[#Mandarin|]] (lang4) (laan6) (fái)𮩝 (àu), 臭爛臭烂 (chhàu-nōa)飲腐饮腐 (le6) (le6)[[#Xiang|]]
188dirty (zāng) (zang1), 齷齪龌龊 (o2 co1) (zang1)污糟 (wu1 zou1), 邋遢 (laat6 taat3)垃圾 (lá-sap)垃圾 (lah-sap)拉渣齷齪龌龊 (oq7 tshoq7)齷齪龌龊 (oq7 tshoq7)邋遢 (la6 ta6), 邋糊 (la3 fu2)
189straight (zhí) (ni2) (zhr5) (zik6) (chhṳ̍t) (tit) (dĭk) (zeq8) (zeq8) (zhr6)
190round (yuán) (yuan2) (üän2) (jyun4) (yèn) (îⁿ), (kuàng) (yoe6) (yoe2)𪢮 (lonn2)
191sharp (as a knife) (jiān)*, ()*, 鋒利锋利 (fēnglì), 銳利锐利 (ruìlì) (jian1) (kuä4) (lei6) (chiâm) (lāi) (khua5) (khua5) (kuai4)
192dull (as a knife) (dùn) (den4) (duen4) (deon6), (gwat6) (thun) (tūn)𣍐利𫧃利 (den6) (den6)
193smooth光滑 (guānghuá)[[#Mandarin|]] (hua5) (waat6) (va̍t)光滑 (kng-ku̍t) (kuaon1) (kuaon1)流光
194wet湿 (shī)湿 (si2) (chao2)湿 (sap1)湿 (sṳp)湿 (sip), (tâm), 潮濕潮湿, (lâng) (zau6), 湿 (saq7/seq7) (zau2), 湿 (seq7)湿
195dry (gān) (gan1) (gang1) (gon1) (châu) (ta) (koe1) (koe1)
196correct (duì)*, 正確正确 (zhèngquè)* (dui4) (duei4) (ngaam1) (chho̍k) (tio̍h)*, 正確正确 (chèng-khak)*正確正确 (ciáng-káuk), 無綻无绽 (te5) (te5) (dei4)
197near (jìn) (jin4) (jin4) (kan5) (khiûn) (kūn) (gê̤ṳng), 接近 (jin6) (jin6)
198far (yuǎn) (yuan3) (üän3) (jyun5) (yèn) (hn̄g) (yoe6) (yoe6) (yenn3)
199right (yòu) (you4) (iou4) (jau6) (yu) (chiàⁿ) (iêu) (yeu6) (yoe6)
200left (zuǒ) (zo3) (zo3) (zo2) (chó) () (cō̤) (tsu5) (tsou3) (zo3)
201at (zài) (zai4) (zä4) (hai2), (hoeng2) (chhai), (), (laq8), 垃垃 (laq8 laq8), 垃嗨 (laq8 he5), 垃該垃该 (laq8 ke5) (leq8), 勒裏勒里 (leq8 li6)*, 勒浪 (leq8 laon6)*, 勒篤勒笃 (leq6 toq7)*, 勒海 (leq8 he5)*
202in…… …… (zài… lǐ) (zai4) (zä4)裡便里便 (leoi5 bin6), 入便 (jap6 bin6), 裡面里面 (leoi5 min6), 入面 (jap6 min6) (chhai)佇……裡伫……里 (tī… lāi)裡勢里势 (diē-sié)裏向里向 (li6 shian5), 裏頭里头 (li6 deu6), (li6)裏面里面 (li6 mi6), 裏向里向 (li6 shian5), (li6)
203with (gēn) (ho2) (gao4), (gen1) (tung4) (lâu), (thùng) (kap) (taq7), (teq7), (theq7), (kau1/kau5), (ken1), (paon1), (lau6)* (taeq7) (gen1)
204and () (ho2) (gao4), (gen1) (tung4), 同埋 (tung4 maai4) (lâu), (thùng) (kap) (taq7), (teq7), (theq7), 得仔 (teq7 tsy5), 脫仔脱仔 (theq7 tsy5), (kau1/kau5), (paon1), (ken1) (taeq7), 搭仔 (taeq7 tsy3) (gen1)
205if如果 (rúguǒ)假比 (jia3 bi3)假如 (ja3 ru2)如果 (jyu4 gwo2)若係若系 (na-he)若是 (nā-sī)若是 (iŏk-sê), 如果 (ṳ̀-guō)假使 (cia6 sy5), 如果 (zy6 ku5)假使 (ka5 sy3), 如果 (zyu2 kou3)要是
206because因爲因为 (yīnwèi)因為因为 (yin1 wei4)因爲因为 (in1 uei2)因為因为 (jan1 wai6)因為因为 (yîn-vì), 因爭因争 (yîn-chên)因為因为 (in-ūi)因為因为 (ĭng-ôi)因為因为 (in1 we6)因為因为 (in1 we6)因為因为 (in1 uei2), 因得 (in1 de6)*
207name (míng)*, 名字 (míngzi)* (min2)名字 (min2 zy4) (meng4-2) (miàng) (miâ)*名字 (miàng-cê)名字 (min6 zy6)名字 (min2 zy6) (min2)
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
1-91 92-146 147-207

See also

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Swadesh lists
Individual languages
Language families, family branches, and geographic groupings
Constructed languages
Reconstructed proto-languages
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