sia suay
English
Alternative forms
- xia suay
Etymology
From Hokkien 瀉衰／泻衰 (sià-soe).
Pronunciation
- (Singapore) IPA(key): /sjʌ sweɪː/
- Rhymes: -eɪ
Adjective
sia suay (comparative more sia suay, superlative most sia suay)
- (Singapore, colloquial) Causing embarrassment or disgrace to others.
- 1989 November 2, “From love songs to 'pai kia' tune. Karaoke is BIG business.”, in The Straits Times, Singapore:
- Most of those who sing these songs are too drunk to be stopped. Sia suay (Hokkien for bringing shame to the entire clan) only.
- 2000 November 9, Daniel S, “Is YOUNG MING married???”, in Google Groups, Singapore:
- Later so sia suay lah
- 2011 February 14, peebrain, “~FUNNY ~ 阿莲Ah Lianz break up with Ah Beng 阿成. On Valentine Day cos he nebber listen up!”, in YouTube Video, Singapore:
- GUys, cannot break up like this SO SIA SUAY!
- 2015 March 23, S M Ong, “Xiaxue not so 'sia suay' after all?”, in The New Paper, Singapore:
- Xiaxue not so 'sia suay' after all?
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Verb
sia suay (no third-person singular simple present, no present participle, no simple past or past participle)
- (Singapore, colloquial) To disgrace; to cause embarrassment for others.
- 2007 November 21, Daniel S, “Only Queen's English.... in this forum..Singlish is banned ?!”, in Google Groups, Singapore:
- Kenna hantam until nothing to say in the old thread then start a new one to get ppl oin your side without your old posts to sia suay you.
- 2000 December 4, vignette, “Singapore Miss World SUCKS!!”, in Google Groups, Singapore:
- Sending such ugly women to international pageants will "sia suay" Singaporeans.
- 2015 March 23, S M Ong, “Xiaxue not so 'sia suay' after all?”, in The New Paper, Singapore:
- In other words, I think what Mr Ha means is that Xiaxue had “sia suay” their industry.
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