အပေါက်

From အ- (a.-, “nominal prefix”) + a syllable ပေါက် (pauk) from Proto-Sino-Tibetan *d-puːk (“belly, vitals, hollow object, cave”) (STEDT). Cognate with ဗိုက် (buik, “belly”), Old Chinese 腹 (OC *puɡ, “belly; interior”); see the Chinese for more cognates.

Whether the "prospect" and "ill behavior" senses are linked to the "hole, opening" sense is unclear, though MED groups them together.

• Phonetic respelling: အ'ပေါက်
• IPA^(key): /ʔəpaʊʔ/
• Romanization: MLCTS: a.pauk • ALA-LC: ʼapokʻ • BGN/PCGN: ăpauk • Okell: ăpauʔ

အပေါက် • (a.pauk)

1. hole, puncture
2. opening, orifice
3. prospect, opportunity, likelihood
4. (colloquial) ill speech or behavior

• “အပေါက်” in Myanmar–English Dictionary (Myanmar Language Commission 1993). Searchable online at SEAlang.net.