ahiya

• ahia

From Hokkien 阿兄 (á-hiaⁿ).

• (Philippine) IPA^(key): /ˈʔɐ.hɪɐ/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɑ.hi.ə/

ahiya (plural ahiyas) (Philippines, Chinese Filipino, colloquial)

1. the eldest brother
2. (informal) an elder brother
3. (familiar) a young male senior (usually within the Chinese Filipino community)
4. respectful term of address for the eldest brother
5. (informal) respectful term of address for an elder brother
6. (familiar) respectful term of address for a young male senior (usually within the Chinese Filipino community)

In the Philippines, the term is primarily used and recognized within Chinese Filipino families as the predominant term to refer to and address the eldest brother in the family, and by extension, any elder brother in the family or even any older young male that the speaker is familiar with.

For quotations using this term, see Citations:ahiya.

ahiya

1. Alternative form of ahiia

• Čestmír Loukotka, ‎Johannes Wilbert (editor), Classification of South American Indian Languages (1968, Los Angeles: Latin American Studies Center, University of California), page(s) 152

• ahia

Borrowed from Hokkien 阿兄 (á-hiaⁿ, “eldest brother”).

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /ˈʔahia/ [ˈʔa.hɪ.ɐ]
• Rhymes: -ahia
• Syllabification: a‧hi‧ya
• Homophone: Ahiya

áhiyá (Baybayin spelling ᜀᜑᜒᜌ) (Chinese Filipino, colloquial)

1. elder brother; big brother

   Synonym: kuya

   Ano nga ulit sabi sa iyo ng ahiya mo?

   What did your big brother tell you again?

   • 2007, Bai Ren, edited by Joaquin Sy, Lagalag sa Nanyang: (Nanyang Piaoliuji), Quezon City: The Univeristy of the Philippines Press, page 157:

     Halos mahibang si Fely sa pag-ibig kay A Chuan. Madalas niya akong kuwentuhan ng tungkol sa relasyon nila ni Ahia. Wala siyang ipinaglihim sa akin. Isang pambihirang lalaki ang ahia ko, aniya, matapang na'y maginoo pa. Guwapo rin ako, aniya, kamukha ni Ahia. Alam kong sa pagpuri niya sa aki'y pinupuri rin niya ang lalaking iniibig.

     Fely almost got crazy with love for A Chuan. She frequently tells stories about their relationship with Big Brother. She held no secrets from me. My big brother is one extraordinary guy, and according to her, brave and noble too. I am handsome too, a lookalike of my big brother, she said. I know that her compliments to me also compliments her beloved guy as well.

2. term of address for one's elder brother

   Synonym: kuya

   Ano nga ulit sabi sa iyo ni Ahiya?

   What did Brother tell you again?

   • 2019, STUPIDLYINLOVE, Bitter Casanova, Mandaluyong: Summit Publishing Co., Inc., page 18:

     "OMG, Achi! Tinawagan ka ni Ahia Dustin?!" Natigilan ako. "Sshhhh!" suway noong isa. "Oooops!" At humagikhik naman 'yong isa. Nagpasimpleng tumingin naman ako sa likod ko kung nasaaan sila at nakita ko namang nag-ngingitian na mukhang sira iyong dalawang 'yon habang nagbubulungan pa.

     "OMG, Big Sister! Big Brother Dustin called you?!" I was silenced. "Sshhhh!", hush by one. "Oooops!"and the other one giggled. I then subtly looked over my back on where they were and I saw those two smiling looking stupid while also whispering.

   • 1997, Teresita Ang See, Caroline Sy-Hau, Joaquin Sy, Voices ; Mga Tinig, Manila: Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran, page 156:

     Pagkaraang maiabot ko kay Ahia ang tiket at diyaryo, naisipan ko na ring tumingin sa numero at sa halagang nakalimbag. Ang dalawang matanda ay nakibasa na rin.

     After I was able to hand the ticket and newspaper to my Big Brother, I thought as well to look at the numbers and the values printed. The two old people read with me as well.

3. (informal) term of address for a male senior (usually within the Chinese Filipino community)

   Ahiya, paano po ba ito?

   Bro, how do I do this?

• (female): atsi