hor
particle/hɔː˨˩/ · /hɔː˨/
Etymology From Hokkien 乎 (--hohⁿ / --hôⁿ, mood particle) and Cantonese 嗬 (ho², interrogative particle).
1
Used with directives and statements to assert that something should be kept in mind or taken note of.
Declarative or imperative
- Pitch contour: low-mid [hɔˑ˨] or low-dipping [hɔˑ˨˩]
- Don’t anyhow say sia, this one not my fault hor.
4 more examples
- We will be renting bikes hor.
- The store closes at 8 p.m. hor, if you want to go, you better go now.
- Oh. That’s me. I see you later, hor, Jackson. You got my number right?1989, Eleanor Wong, Jackson on a Jaunt, or, Mistaken Identities, pages 3–4, lines 55–56:
- sorry, i have to drill hor. the filling will cost $300.2005, Der Zählmeister, soc.culture.singapore (Usenet):
2
Indicates an attempt at seeking approval from the listener.
Declarative or imperative
- Pitch contour: low-mid [hɔˑ˨] or low-dipping [hɔˑ˨˩]
- I’ll eat all the sweets hor.
3
Interrogative An invariant question tag used to invite agreement or confirmation.
- Pitch contour: rising [hɔˑ˨˦]
- Quite boring, hor?
1 more example
- Wah, you quite brave hor...2005 October 30, Wong Kim Hoh, The Sunday Times:
4
A filler word used to ascertain the continued attention of the listener.
- Pitch contour: rising [hɔˑ˨˦]
- ....then hor...
2 more examples
- But hor, i prefer sleeping pills leh.2005, Tan Kok Beng, soc.culture.singapore (Usenet):
- Can email me or not?........if can hor.... […]2007, yansimon52, soc.culture.singapore (Usenet):