redirected from
haiyah
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:
hai ya haiyah hai yah
haiya
→
Hokkien:
害矣
poj:
hāi--ah
Detailed etymology
definitions
interjection
- exclamation of distress, grief, horror, disappointment, etc.; 'it's done for'; 'oh no'; 'alas'; 'how awful!'
Haiya is the MSG of word. All the flavour inside. Your bus come late? Haiya. You run out of milk? Haiya. Your baby born with three arm? Haiya.
— 2021 April 28, Nigel Ng. mrnigelng (Youtube), "Uncle Roger Explain HAIYAA vs FUIYOH (Animated #shorts)". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_g3Ri5nkk8