阿扁 (Ābiǎn): A-bian, familiar nickname of Chen Shui-bian (陈水扁, 1950-), president of Taiwan 2000-2008

Meanings

1 A-bian, familiar nickname of Chen Shui-bian (陈水扁, 1950-), president of Taiwan 2000-2008

Characters

阿

Ā

informal nickname prefix

扁

biǎn

flat (here, short for 扁)

Examples

支持者都亲切地叫他阿扁。

Zhīchízhě dōu qīnqiè de jiào tā Ābiǎn.

His supporters all affectionately call him A-bian.

阿扁卸任后因贪污被判刑。

Ābiǎn xièrèn hòu yīn tānwū bèi pànxíng.

After leaving office, A-bian was sentenced for corruption.

Tips

culture

The 阿 prefix creates an informal, affectionate nickname in southern Chinese dialects — so 阿扁 is roughly 'Bian-boy' or 'Our Bian'. Chen Shui-bian used the nickname heavily in campaigns to project a down-to-earth image. His son is likewise called 阿扁之子.

grammar

阿 + single character is a standard southern nickname pattern: 阿伟 (Ah-Wei), 阿明 (Ah-Ming), 阿姨 (aunt), 阿妈 (mother).