Tsekwa

Cebuano

Alternative forms

• Chekwa
• Chikwa
• Tsikwa

Etymology

Possibly reborrowed in from Tagalog Tsekwa, which was possibly originally from Cebuano as well, through univerbation of Intsik wakang.

Proper noun

Tsekwa

1. (ethnic slur, slang, derogatory, offensive) the Chinese people, language, or culture; Chink

Adjective

Tsekwa

1. (ethnic slur, slang, derogatory, offensive) Chinese; chinky

Usage notes

• Usage of the term is usually particularly offensive or provocative as a derogatory ethnic slur from its crude or pejorative connotations in the past, especially to Chinese Filipinos.

Synonyms

• Insik / Insek / Intsik / Inchek
• Insek kwakang / Intsik wakang / Insik wakang

Tagalog

Alternative forms

• Chekwa
• tsekwa

Etymology

Possibly from a univerbation of Cebuano Intsik wakang or a blend of Intsik +‎ tokwa, according to Zorc (1993). See also Hokkien 罪過 / 罪过 (chě-kòa, “to sin; to commit an offence”).

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /ˈt͡ʃekwa/ [ˈt͡ʃɛk.wɐ]
  • IPA^(key): (no palatal assimilation) /ˈtsekwa/ [ˈt͡sɛk.wɐ]
• Rhymes: -ekwa
• Syllabification: Tsek‧wa

Noun

Tsekwa (Baybayin spelling ᜆ᜔ᜐᜒᜃ᜔ᜏ) (colloquial, derogatory, ethnic slur, offensive)

1. Chinaman; Chink (person)

   Synonyms: Tsino, (colloquial, sometimes derogatory or vulgar) Intsik

See also

• Intsik beho
• Intsik beho, tulo laway
• tsinita
• tsinito

Adjective

Tsekwa (Baybayin spelling ᜆ᜔ᜐᜒᜃ᜔ᜏ) (colloquial, derogatory, ethnic slur, offensive)

1. Chinese; Chink (pertaining to China and the Chinese culture)

   Synonyms: Tsino, (colloquial, sometimes derogatory or vulgar) Intsik

See also

• punga

Further reading

• Zorc, R. David; San Miguel, Rachel (1993), Tagalog Slang Dictionary, Manila: De La Salle University Press, →ISBN, page 147