Meaning of kongsi | Babel Free

Definitions

A benevolent organization of popular origin found among overseas Chinese communities for individuals with the same surname.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore

Examples

“By 1970, for instance, the state authorities considered these kongsi to be unfit and unhygienic for living, and they were ordered to be dismantled.”

“The term kongsi loosely referred to any association of the Chinese, ranging from a business partnership to governments in West Borneo, secret societies and clan associations.”

“A kongsi is a clan house, a building that’s partly a temple and partly a meeting hall for Chinese of the same clan or surname.”

CEFR level