Definition of Ah Beng & Ah Lien

After all this year, I have met tons of Ah Beng & Ah Lien, but I have never found out the exact meaning of these names. lolz

Ah Beng is a term commonly given to a member of a group of young Chinese men in Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore and Malaysia. These Chinese men, whose age range from their early teens to late 20s, usually centralise in the busier and more developed cities in the region, but are usually seen as originating from smaller or more rural towns. Ah Bengs typically speak local slang, which is Hokkien or Cantonese mixed with English and Malay, such as Manglish or Singlish. They are often stereotypically portrayed to be anti-intellectual, superficial and materialistic and shallow. These values often lead to a lack of culture or indulgence in criminal activity or being involved in brawling or arguing out of disagreements with other people. Ah Bengs are also sometimes associated with extensively-modified or zhng-ed cars, [1] and are stereotypically seen as being excessively flashy and show-offs. Ah Bengs are often seen decked out in gaudy floral shirts, tight jeans and sneakers, and often carry around plastic combs.

The term 'Ah Beng' is also sometimes used to describe young Chinese men in Southeast Asia who cannot speak fluent English and/or have graduated from the secular Chinese education system of the region.

In Malaysia, the term 'Ah Beng' usually refers to males who have unusual styles and tastes. And the term 'lala-zai' refers to males involved in stereotypical gangster activity or fashion such as the dyeing of hair.

Ah Beng comes from the romanization of the Hokkien pronunciation of 阿明 (POJ: a-bêng). 明 is a word commonly used in the names of Chinese males in the region; it means 'bright' in the sense of intelligence. In Malaysia, Ah Beng is also known as lala zai. 'Lala' has no actual meaning in itself, while 'zai' (pronounced 'chai') means 'boy'. 'Lala zai' refers to individuals who speak Manglish and possess a strong preference for gaudy fashions or hairstyles. A large group of them also frequent cursing in their daily speech, and it seems to them that cursing is more of a need to stay as an Ah Beng. Cantonese words such as " Tiu Lei Ke Ma Chau Hai", " Ma Hai" and " Tiu Lei Ke Fa Hai" is commonly uttered by them.

h Lian is a pejorative term commonly given to a certain group of young Chinese girls in Southeast Asia, especially Singapore and Malaysia. These Chinese girls, whose collective age ranges from their adolescent years to late 20s, are usually centralised in the busier and more developed cities in the region. They are regarded as bimbos, and are stereotyped as anti-intellectual, superficial, materialistic, and shallow. Ah Lians are commonly stereotyped as having hair dyed in gaudy and bright colours, and attired in fashion mimicking hip-hop culture, or outdated Japanese fashion, although how much of this is true is debatable. Most of Ah Lians are wearing fashions that are out dated and they still have their hair straightened with thick fringe. They love to take own pictures and imitate the way Japanese girls take their pictures which is by making their eyes look big and puffing their cheeks. Few more examples of the way they take pictures are by putting a horizontal 'Peace sign' on their eye, putting a fist facing outwards on their puffed cheek. Another distinct feature of an Ah Lian is they swear in most of their conversations just like Ah Bengs. Much like their male counterparts - that is, Ah Bengs - Ah Lians are also thought of as being excessively flashy and show-offs.

The Ah Lian "culture" is especially prevalent in the secular Chinese educational system schools, typified by their frequent use of vulgarities and appearance in cliques (joined by their male counter parts Ah Bengs).

Ah Lians commonly speak in a kind of hybrid mix of Singlish or Manglish and Chinese, or Chinese-related dialects. It is also common for the grammar from these dialects to cross over English usage, creating English phrases with Chinese grammar.

Ah Bengs and Ah Lians love techno music. One can immediately spot an Ah Beng's or Ah Lian's car on the road. Their cars are usually heavily modified with big exhaust pipes, and powerful woofer set at the back of the car. They usually drive very fast while listening to loud techno music in their car.