🧑‍💼 A respectful title 🏠 A master

tuan

2 9.9

A polite title for a man in Malay-speaking areas

noun

Philippine

: tuan

You hope! - No more boys, Tuan? - It looks that way

Examples

It's too much, Tuan.

Saint Jack (1979)
But I have orders from Prince Tuan!

55 Days at Peking (1963)
You want something Tuan? -

Saint Jack (1979)
Hi, Tuan, long time no see.

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
We are pleased to inform you that Prince Tuan is our closest and most trusted adviser.

55 Days at Peking (1963)
- Hey, Tuan.

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
Tuan, get over here!

Rules of Engagement (2000)
Welcome, Prince Tuan, to Her Britannic Majesty's Legation.

55 Days at Peking (1963)
Thank you for your guidance, Tuan; your advice has been invaluable.
As they entered the room, everyone stood up and greeted Tuan with respect.

Synonyms

Seri

vstuan

9.7

A title used before names in Malay and Indonesian to show respect

is a general respectful form to address a man rather than rank

sayyid

vstuan

9.8

A respectful Arabic word used to politely address a man like sir

is a Malay-region respectful address rather than an Arabic religious form

mang

vstuan

Philippine

9.9

A respectful word used before a man's name in the Philippines like Mister

is a general respectful form without the familiar uncle-like nuance

Surface Forms

tuan singular

tuans plural

Etymology

Tuan comes from Malay and began as a word for 'master', so people used it as a polite way to address a respected man. That's why tuan is still used as a respectful title, like 'sir' or 'Mr.', in Malay-speaking regions.