Malay loan word in Spanish?

Edith · 16th September 2008, 03:11 PM

The word 'tuan' is used in Malay as a form of respectful address to a man, like 'sahib' in India. Here in Holland, many elderly people of Indonesian descent are still familiar with this word. They also use 'tuan besar', which means 'big tuan' (i.e. a bigwig).

Perhaps I have misunderstood something, but a couple of days ago I heard someone use the word 'tuan' in EXACTLY the same context on TVE! He was talking about 'el tuan grande'.

Has any of you ever heard this before in Spanish?

imc · 16th September 2008, 08:06 PM

Pues no

Edith · 17th September 2008, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imc

Pues no

Perhaps I did misunderstand it after al...

g-cogle · 17th September 2008, 04:18 PM

can´t say I´ve heard of it either

Talairan · 17th September 2008, 04:51 PM

What was the context in which the expression was used? In Filipino martial arts "El Tuhon Grande" is the title given to the head of the system.

Edith · 17th September 2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talairan

What was the context in which the expression was used? In Filipino martial arts "El Tuhon Grande" is the title given to the head of the system.

The conversation itself was not about martial arts, but they were talking about some kind of important person. BY the way, 'tuhon' sounds very similar to 'tuan'!

17th September 2008, 07:22 PM

If the important person was a Spanish politician maybe you heard "truhán"

Edith · 18th September 2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArualyEgroj

If the important person was a Spanish politician maybe you heard "truhán"

Yes, this has crossed my mind as well, but I don't remember hearing an 'r' at all.

epicous · 1st October 2008, 08:28 PM

Don is used as a form of respectful address to an old man or to an important person.

"Don José, buenas tardes"
"Don Juan Carlos, Rey de España, inauguró..."

16th September 2008, 03:11 PM	#1
Edith Pangolin Forero Join Date: May 2006 Location: Países Bajos Posts: 3,808	Malay loan word in Spanish? The word 'tuan' is used in Malay as a form of respectful address to a man, like 'sahib' in India. Here in Holland, many elderly people of Indonesian descent are still familiar with this word. They also use 'tuan besar', which means 'big tuan' (i.e. a bigwig). Perhaps I have misunderstood something, but a couple of days ago I heard someone use the word 'tuan' in EXACTLY the same context on TVE! He was talking about 'el tuan grande'. Has any of you ever heard this before in Spanish?

17th September 2008, 04:18 PM	#4
g-cogle Gemma Cogle Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Granada, Spain Posts: 8	hmmmm no can´t say I´ve heard of it either

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16th September 2008, 08:06 PM	#2
imc Super Forero Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sevilla Posts: 147	Pues no

17th September 2008, 04:51 PM	#5
Talairan del Sur Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The wet island Posts: 38	What was the context in which the expression was used? In Filipino martial arts "El Tuhon Grande" is the title given to the head of the system.

17th September 2008, 07:22 PM	#7
ArualyEgroj Guest Posts: n/a	If the important person was a Spanish politician maybe you heard "truhán"

1st October 2008, 08:28 PM	#9
epicous Forero Senior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mexico city Posts: 58	Don is used as a form of respectful address to an old man or to an important person. "Don José, buenas tardes" "Don Juan Carlos, Rey de España, inauguró..."