paiseh

English

Alternative forms

• pai say, pai seh

Etymology

From Hokkien 歹勢／歹势 (phái-sè, “embarrassed”).

Pronunciation

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): [ˌpʰaɪ˨˦ ˈse˨˩]

Adjective

paiseh (comparative more paiseh, superlative most paiseh)

1. (Singlish, Manglish) Embarrassed; humiliating; shy
   • 2000, Leong Liew Geok, “Forever Singlish”, in Women without Men, Singapore, page 130:

     We say sorrysorrysorry to make sure we are: / So pai say, we have to repeat two, three times; ..

   • 2001 June 17, Karamjit Kaur, The Straits Times, Singapore:

     ‘So paiseh because everyone is staring.’

   • 2006 August 13, Colin Goh, The Straits Times, Singapore:

     I know I’m not their teacher, but I still feel pai seh not giving enough attention. If children are approaching me, it’s either because they think I’m accessible, or their teachers for some reason send them my way. If I don’t respond, they’ll think I’m sombong (Malay for “proud”), and then how?

Synonyms

• malu

Anagrams

• saphie