Add your own interpretation of "paiseh".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Browse all slang words starting with P.
Shy, embarrassed, or politely apologetic. From Hokkien 歹勢 (phái-sè), literally "bad situation". Used as an adjective ("so paiseh!"), a feeling-noun ("aiya, paiseh lah"), or even a verb-ish softener when asking a favour or declining one ("paiseh to ask you, but..." / "paiseh, I cannot make it tonight"). One of the most uniquely Singlish emotional concepts: it covers genuine embarrassment, social awkwardness, and the polite reluctance Singaporeans feel about imposing on others. Cannot be cleanly translated into a single English word.
Paiseh to trouble you, but can I borrow your charger?
No comments yet — say something.