Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

die liao

/ˈdaɪ˦ ljaʊ˨˩/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.77 in modern English

Syllables
die liao
IPA
/ˈdaɪ˦ ljaʊ˨˩/
8
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
1
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

Used to suggest that one is doomed, or as good as dead.

Intransitive verb

phrase

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see die, liao.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

die + liao (indicates a change of state), from Hokkien 了 (liáu) or Teochew 了 (liao²), with the tone of Mandarin 了 (liǎo). Partial calque of Hokkien 死了 (sí liáu).

Word Breakdown

Usage

Synonyms

die already si liao

Questions

How do you pronounce die liao?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈdaɪ˦ ljaʊ˨˩/.
What does die liao mean?
Used to suggest that one is doomed, or as good as dead.
Where does die liao come from?
die + liao (indicates a change of state), from Hokkien 了 (liáu) or Teochew 了 (liao²), with the tone of Mandarin 了 (liǎo). Partial calque of Hokkien 死了 (sí liáu).

How to pronounce die liao

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “die liao”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈdaɪ˦ ljaʊ˨˩/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “die liao”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “die liao” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.