redirected from
ah lian
Commonly found variants; note these may range from acceptable alternatives to
non-standard forms or incorrect spellings*.
* Singlish is a largely spoken creole, and as such descriptivism (recording forms that reflect actual pronunciation in spoken language, or as appearing in the linguistic corpus) is more pertinent than strict prescriptivism. Nevertheless, the use of more standard forms (or for words originating in languages with Latin script, such as Malay, accurate to the original spelling) is recommended and encouraged.
* Singlish is a largely spoken creole, and as such descriptivism (recording forms that reflect actual pronunciation in spoken language, or as appearing in the linguistic corpus) is more pertinent than strict prescriptivism. Nevertheless, the use of more standard forms (or for words originating in languages with Latin script, such as Malay, accurate to the original spelling) is recommended and encouraged.
also can:
ahlian
Ah Lian
简
繁
→
Hokkien:
阿莲
阿蓮
poj:
a-liân
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- (derogatory) a young Chinese woman, stereotypically uncouth, unrefined, and associated with street gangs; a bimbo. The female counterpart of an Ah Beng or Ah Seng. Comes from the stereotypically common female given name 阿莲 (a-liân).
Often labelled as Bengs and Lians, they howl in Hokkien and gesture in unison while dancing to Euro-trance.
— 2001 January 14, Michelle Ho. The Sunday Times (Sunday Plus), p.7
synonyms:
adjective
- having traits associated with an Ah Lian.
She is so ah lian, always dressed in chintzy clothes, hanging out at the pool table and smoking with the Ah Bengs, and speaking loudly on her phone wherever she goes.