huana

Indonesian

Etymology

Borrowed from Hokkien 番仔 (hoan-á). Compare Tagalog Huwana.

Noun

huana

1. Indonesian person of native origin; pribumi

   Synonyms: pribumi, bumiputra, inlander, fankui (derogatory), tiko (derogatory)

   Kenapa menyebut orang pribumi Huana ketika banyak orang Tionghoa yang tidak tahu artinya?

   Why call natives Huana if many Chinese do not know the meaning?

Usage notes

• This term is mostly recognised by those who know Hokkien, especially Chinese Indonesians, but it is not as used in Indonesian compared to pribumi. Those who hear this, especially those who do not speak Chinese, might sometimes misconstrue it as a derogatory or vulgar ethnic slur, but in Indonesian Hokkien, it can be used neutrally or condescendingly based on context.