win liao lor

English

Etymology

From win, Hokkien 了 (liâu, “already”, perfective aspect and change of state marker) and 啰 (lor, final particle used to express resignation). See liao, lor.

Pronunciation

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): /ˈwɪn ljaʊ˨˩ ˌlɔː˦/, [ˈwɪn˦ ljaʊ˨˩ ˌlɔː˦]

Interjection

win liao lor

1. (Singlish) Grudging admission of defeat in an argument.
   • 1997 November 28, soc.culture.singapore‎^[1] (Usenet):

     Wah this type of response, win liao lor, typical singaporean hehe.

   • 1999 May 1, soc.culture.singapore‎^[2] (Usenet):

     Win liao lor… Continue also cannot… Stop also cannot… How?

   • 2007 August 21, soc.culture.singapore‎^[3] (Usenet):

     And who says that should a policy holder of an annuity dies before the principal sum is exhausted, the balance is forfeited? Like that all insurance companies win liao lor.

   • 2016 October 18, Indonesian artist's series of Line stickers is popular:

     Said the spokesman: "In Singapore, some of the top sticker sets are Singlish sets with illustrations depicting phrases such as bojio (You did not invite me!), win liao lor (when you grudgingly concede to an argument) or kan cheong spider (an anxious person).