As an addendum to our interview with Thet Twe Aung on Tuesday about his company’s new Burmese slang app, “Gawdai,” we thought we would provide, as a public service, 10 slang terms that you can start using immediately.
Actually, Thet Twe Aung provided them, even though we would love to pretend we are scholars of Burmese slang if we could.
Here they are in no particular order, with an English transliteration and a phrase key with the terms in Burmese script at the bottom for additional pronunciation help.
1. Bee Kyal
An older person, especially over 40 who is still partying, outgoing, womanising and always up to date with the current fashion trends. They are usually rich and even though they think they are cool, some people might think the other way around.
2. Zay Pae
Zay Pae means chilling, high, dope. People usually use Zay Pae when they feel they are in paradise.
3. 9 Kyaw Tal
9 Kyaw Tal means beyond everything. It’s a similar catch phrase to over 9,000. Kind of like an innumerable quantifier to describe a large number. Mostly people use it when someone is very cool or when something is so awesome that they can’t even compare it with anything.
4. Plugged Kyoot
Plugged Kyoot is equal to Plugged off. Kyoot meaning off in Burmese. So this kind of slang is a combination of an English word and a Myanmar word. Meaning something is missing, something is off. Usually use this slang when we are not in good shape, for example a hangover or haven’t slept for several days. We say like, “I am already Plugged Kyoot man, haven’t slept for a day.”
5. Kywat Twinn
Kywat = Mouse in Burmese. Twinn = Hole in Burmese. Meaning a hole that a mouse lives in. This slang portrays the length that never ends. Use it on a heavy drinker who drinks a lot but never gets drunk.
6. Dai Sho
Dai Sho means doing things secretly. We use it like “Don’t do it Dai Sho man, let me know your plan also.”
7. Say Htoe
Say Htoe basically means vaccine. Use this slang when someone gives wrong information to you purposely for fun. Use it like “Don’t Say Htoe to me, I already know what you are going to say.”
8. Saw Kyi Bae (SKB)
A guy who is very handsome and good with girls. “He’s a real SKB,” one might say.
9. Kyat Kyaw
Kyat refers to Myanmar money “Kyats.” Kyaw means over. It means more than 1 kyat. Use it for people who think they are very cool and know everything.
10. Circuit
This word is taken directly from English. But we use this when things are very complicated or becoming complicated.
Here is the phrase key:
