La

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Casual
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Meaning: Mate, friend (Scouse term of address).

伙计、朋友(利物浦的称呼语)。
Colega, amigo (forma de dirigirse a alguien en scouse).
仲間、友達(スカウスの呼びかけ語)。
친구, 동료 (스카우스 호칭)

A distinctive Scouse term of address, similar to 'mate' or 'pal.' 'Alright la' is a common greeting in Liverpool. The term is gender-neutral despite sounding like a variant of 'lad'—women use it too. It's a strong marker of Scouse identity and instantly identifies the speaker as from Merseyside.

一个独特的利物浦称呼语,类似于'mate'或'pal'。'Alright la'是利物浦常见的问候语。尽管听起来像'lad'的变体,但它不分性别,女性也使用。这是利物浦身份的强烈标志,一听就知道说话人来自默西塞德。
Una forma de dirigirse a alguien típicamente scouse, similar a 'mate' o 'pal.' 'Alright la' es un saludo habitual en Liverpool. El término es neutro en cuanto al género, a pesar de sonar como una variante de 'lad': las mujeres también lo usan. Es un fuerte marcador de identidad scouse que identifica al instante al hablante como de Merseyside.
「mate」や「pal」に似た、スカウス独特の呼びかけ語。「Alright la」はリバプールでよく使われる挨拶。「lad」の変形のように聞こえるが、性別を問わず女性も使う。スカウスのアイデンティティを強く示す言葉で、話者がマージーサイド出身であることが即座に分かる。
스카우스 특유의 호칭으로, 'mate'나 'pal'과 비슷합니다. 'Alright la'는 리버풀에서 흔한 인사말입니다. 'lad'의 변형처럼 들리지만 성별 구분 없이 사용되며, 여성도 씁니다. 스카우스 정체성의 강한 표식으로 화자가 머지사이드 출신임을 즉시 알 수 있게 합니다.

Examples

  1. Alright la, how's it going?
    嘿哥们,怎么样?
    ¿Qué tal, colega?
    よう、調子どう?
    야, 잘 지내?
  2. Cheers la!
    谢啦!
    ¡Gracias, tío!
    ありがとな!
    고마워!
  3. See you later la.
    回头见。
    Hasta luego, colega.
    またな。
    나중에 보자.

Pronunciation

/lɑː/

Usage Guide

Context: Liverpool, greeting, friendly

Tone: warm, regional

✓ Do Say

  • Alright la
    hola, colega
    よう
    잘 지내, 친구
  • Cheers la
    谢啦
    gracias, tío
    ありがとな
    고마워, 친구
  • Sound la
    不错
    guay, colega
    いいね
    좋아, 친구

✗ Don't Say

  • Outside Liverpool, using 'la' might seem like mockery
    在利物浦以外使用可能被认为是嘲讽
    Fuera de Liverpool, usar 'la' puede parecer una burla
    リバプール以外で使うとからかいに聞こえることがある
    리버풀 밖에서 사용하면 놀리는 것처럼 보일 수 있음

Common Mistakes

Origin & History

Likely a shortened form of 'lad' that became a general term of address in Liverpool. The pronunciation evolved to a distinctive 'la' that's now inseparable from Scouse identity. Some suggest Irish influence through Liverpool's large Irish population.

Etymology: Probably shortened from 'lad'

First recorded: 20th century Liverpool

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages in Liverpool

Social background: Universal in Liverpool

Pop culture: Brookside; Liverpool comedy; Beatles interviews

Regional notes: Exclusively Scouse—instantly identifies speaker as from Liverpool.

Variations

LaLad

More From This Topic

Howay ★★★★★ Come on, let's go (Geordie encouragement/urging). Pet ★★★★★ Term of endearment (Geordie address). Gan ★★★★★ Go (Geordie). Wey aye ★★★★★ Yes, definitely (emphatic Geordie affirmative). Toon ★★★★★ Town; specifically Newcastle (Geordie). Nowt ★★★★★ Nothing (Geordie/Northern).
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