ah kua

English

Alternative forms

• ah gua, ah qua, ah kwa, AQ, AK

Etymology

From Hokkien 阿倌 (a-koaⁿ).

Pronunciation

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): /ˌɑː˨ ˈk˭wɑː˦/, [-ãː˦]

Noun

ah kua (plural ah kuas)

(Singapore, Singlish, derogatory)

1. An effeminate man; a male cross-dresser.
   • 2001 [1992], Russell Heng, Lest the Demons Get to Me, revised version January 2001, via National Library Board Singapore, Act 1, page 6:

     I did not tell him that this ah qua had three years at the London School of Economics […] Although I never did finish my degree.

2. A transgender woman.
3. A male prostitute.

Adjective

ah kua (not comparable)

1. (Singapore, Singlish, derogatory) Sissy, effeminate.