wackycashew
02-27-2004, 06:11 AM
This question comes up time and again, in this forum and in various threads... So, here it is for all those who want to know...
DIAO
literal meaning: penis
colloquial meaning: cool / outrageous
Chinese character: 屌
Han Yu Pin Yin/Mandarin: diao3 - diao in third tone
Cantonese pronunciation: diu/dieu/diew (however you want to romanize it) - higher tone than Mandarin *note this is a swear word in Cantonese, so don't use it the way Jay does
Jay uses the word "diao" for the slang definition, meaning "cool". For his expression "diao bu diao", it basically just means "cool or what?".
If you'd like to read further, then have a look at this Time Asia article on Jay. You'll find a discussion on "diao" there.
http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501030303/story.html
DIAO
literal meaning: penis
colloquial meaning: cool / outrageous
Chinese character: 屌
Han Yu Pin Yin/Mandarin: diao3 - diao in third tone
Cantonese pronunciation: diu/dieu/diew (however you want to romanize it) - higher tone than Mandarin *note this is a swear word in Cantonese, so don't use it the way Jay does
Jay uses the word "diao" for the slang definition, meaning "cool". For his expression "diao bu diao", it basically just means "cool or what?".
If you'd like to read further, then have a look at this Time Asia article on Jay. You'll find a discussion on "diao" there.
http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501030303/story.html