redirected from
yao siew
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:
yau siu yao siew
yao siu
简
繁
→
Min nan:
夭寿
夭壽
poj:
iáu-siū
Detailed etymology
definitions
interjection
- (vulgar) 'damn it!'; exclamation of frustration, anger, outrage, exasperation, etc.
My employer's mother stays with us occasionally. When she talks on the phone, I always hear her say "yao siu." ... I asked my employer's son what the words meant. He told me it means "hello." ... One day, my employer sent me to buy something from the shops, where I met my employer's friend. I put on a sweet smile and greeted her: "Yao siu, maam."
— 1987 December 11, 'Filipina Maid', Singapore 1647. Weekend East, "Maid’s rude ‘hello’". p.6
synonyms: