redirected from
kannasai
* 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:
kana sai kanasai kanna sai kannasai
ka na sai
→
Hokkien:
敢若
poj:
káⁿ-ná
+
屎
poj:
sái
definitions
adjective
- (vulgar) shitty; like shit; awful; dismal; terrible; useless
- (vulgar) dire; terrible; disastrous
When we end with lor, hor, lah,
People say our English kana-sai
Why do they care? Hard core kaypoh—
Bo dai chi cho.
— 2000, Leong Liew Geok. Forever Singlish
He was actually the handsomest one of the five. And I felt very good that night because he chose me. That means my face not so kana sai right?
— 2023, Alfian Sa'at. Collected Plays Two. Ethos Books. ISBN: 9789811416682
synonyms:
antonyms:
interjection
- (vulgar) 'shit!'; 'damn!'; expression of frustration, anger, outrage, exasperation, etc.
"Bloody hell, right? Have you seen his wife? Kana sai! ... Fat like pig." Angeline punched the table.
— 2014, Kay Hwa Low. Today or Tomorrow. Goody Books. ISBN: 9789810795764
usage notes
Often mistakenly overcorrected to kena sai by non-Hokkien speaking Singlish speakers, due to kena being a very common Singlish and Malay word. This is technically incorrect, but has been used for so long that it has become a separate term in its own right (albeit with a different meaning).