Peranakan Language | Peranakan Patois

The Peranakan language (also known as the Peranakan patois) is a mix of Hokkien (a Chinese dialect), Dutch, English & Malay.

The Peranakan patois is rarely heard these days, except most likely during Peranakan family gatherings and revived on stage through their Peranakan plays, skits & songs.

Examples of Peranakan patois

Apa khaber? How are you?

Baba. Peranakan Man

Nyonya. Peranakan lady.

Bibik. Elder Peranakan lady.

Kamsiah. Thank you.

Though the Peranakan patois may sound like the Malay language, however, some of the words are different and so are the pronunciation. For example, the a vowel is substituted with the e vowel (apa khabar becomes apa khaber?)