I am a native speaker of standard mandarin and i also speak cantonese.
I think "a sam/A3" orginates from Shanghainese not Mandarin. Using "A" as a prefix to address people is not common among native mandarin speakers.
Shanghai people use this derogatory name to address the Indian working in UK-leased segment of Shanghai (typically securites, doormen, low class employees etc.) before 1949. thanks to internet, it becomes popular all over china in recent years.
If you know another slur in Shanghainese "bie san/瘪三" , it would be much easier for you to understand the word "a san". "bie san" basically means "unimportant person/loser". whereas "ar san" is exclusive to indian.
i think "ah chai" is more commonly used in HK cantonese, but not very popular in mainland. "ah chai" is fine, there is a more derogatory name for indian in HK cantonese "muo luo cha"
I think "a sam/A3" orginates from Shanghainese not Mandarin. Using "A" as a prefix to address people is not common among native mandarin speakers.
Shanghai people use this derogatory name to address the Indian working in UK-leased segment of Shanghai (typically securites, doormen, low class employees etc.) before 1949. thanks to internet, it becomes popular all over china in recent years.
If you know another slur in Shanghainese "bie san/瘪三" , it would be much easier for you to understand the word "a san". "bie san" basically means "unimportant person/loser". whereas "ar san" is exclusive to indian.
i think "ah chai" is more commonly used in HK cantonese, but not very popular in mainland. "ah chai" is fine, there is a more derogatory name for indian in HK cantonese "muo luo cha"