1An SE Asian woman of mixed ethnic descent, especially (in Singapore) a woman with a Malay mother and Chinese father.
东南亚混血女子(尤指父亲为华人母亲为马来人的新加坡女子)
2mass noun(in Malaysia and Singapore) a spicy Singaporean cuisine consisting of a combination of Malay and Chinese ingredients and techniques.
(马来西亚和新加坡)娘惹美食(一种融合马来菜和中国菜成分和烹饪技艺的重味食物)
as modifiera Nonya dish
Example sentencesExamples
Chillies, coconut milk and belachan [a dried shrimp paste] are what make Nonya food special.
The exciting blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian and Nonya was brought out by the food festival at the Matchpoint at the Hotel Taj Coromandel, which was the venue, for the colourful show on Thursday.
Origin
From Malay, Javanese nyonya, probably from Portuguese senhora 'lady' (see senhora).