sial ah

English

Alternative forms

• siala, sialah, sia lah, siah lah, sial lah

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from Malay sial + ah.

Pronunciation

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): [ˈsjɑl ɑ(ː)]

Interjection

sial ah

1. (Manglish, Singlish) Interjection, used to express discontent, shock, exasperation or surprise.
   • 2023, Kristian-Marc James Paul, Myle Yan Tay, Mysara Aljaru, Brown is Redacted: Reflecting on Race in Singapore, Ethos Books, →ISBN:

     We were just sitting in the basement and talking when we heard some knocks. So we thought, ey siala, got something. So we decided okay lah, time to go.

Usage notes

Unlike sia, this interjection is never used at the end of complete sentences.

See also

• sia (same meaning, used at the end of sentences)