English Explanatory Dictionary

wah lau

English dictionary entry

Meanings

intj
  1. An exclamation of annoyance or exasperation.

Pronunciation

/ˈwɑː ˌlaʊ/ [ˈwɑ˦˨ ˌlaʊ˨˧] [ˌwɑ̽ˈlaʊ˨˦˧] [ˈwɑ˦˨ ˌlaʊ˨˧ eː˨] [ˌwɑ̽ˈlaʊ˨˦˧ eː˨]

Word forms

wah lau walao walau wah lau eh walao eh walau eh

Etymology

From Teochew and Hokkien. Ultimate origin uncertain: first element equivalent to Hokkien 我 (óa, “my”) + lau, possibly from 老爸 (lāu-pē, “father”). Alternatively, a shortening of Hokkien 我老的 (óa lāu--ê, literally “my elderly [someone, e.g., father]”), from which the alternative forms wah lau eh and walao eh are derived. Compare Mandarin 哇老誒 /哇老诶 (wà láo ei).

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