wah lau

== English == === Alternative forms === 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). === Pronunciation === (Singapore, Malaysia) IPA(key): /ˈwɑː ˌlaʊ/, [ˈwɑ˦˨ ˌlaʊ˨˧], [ˌwɑ̽ˈlaʊ˨˦˧] (corresponding to the forms wah lau eh and walao eh): IPA(key): [ˈwɑ˦˨ ˌlaʊ˨˧ eː˨], [ˌwɑ̽ˈlaʊ˨˦˧ eː˨] === Interjection === wah lau (Singlish, Manglish) An exclamation of annoyance or exasperation. [from 1990s] ==== Descendants ==== → Indonesian: walawe