Gao Gao Origin: Hokkien – gao means thick, gao gao means very thick Gao Gao are two words with the same meaning of thick and when used together represents it as extra thick or concentrated depending on what the usage is for.
hokkien
Buay Tahan
Buay Tahan Origin: Hokkien/Malay – means unable to withstand/tolerate any longer. Buay (Hokkien) for “cannot” and tahan (malay) for “withstand” combines together to give the expression that one can no longer withstand or tolerate any longer. It has a similar meaning to the malay phrase “tak boleh tahan” where “tak boleh” means cannot.
Jiak
Jiak Origin: Hokkien/Teochew – literal translation “to eat” Jiak is a commonly used word to ask people if they have already eaten or to invite them to eat. It can be used to greet one another at the dinner table urging them to start eating. Younger family members will also greet their seniors at the […]
chao private
Chao Private Origin: Hokkien/English/Army lingo – a name to describe a newly enlisted soldier Chao Private refers to a newly enlisted soldier. The word “chao” stands for smelly in hokkien and Private is the rank for a newly enlisted Soldier. The words used together form a name that is often used on new recruits by […]
Hor Jiak Hor Koon
Hor Jiak Hor Koon Origin: Hokkien – literal transalation “good to eat and good to sleep” Hor Jiak Hor Koon is a hokkien term to describe someone having a good life with no worries.