Singlish vocabulary

Main article: Singlish

Singlish is the English-based creole spoken and written colloquially in Singapore. Although English is the lexifier language, Singlish has its unique slang and syntax, which are more pronounced in informal speech.

Singlish vocabulary formally takes after British English (in terms of spelling and abbreviations), although naming conventions are in a mix of American and British ones (with American ones on the rise). For instance, local media have "sports pages" (sport in British English) and "soccer coverage" (the use of the word "soccer" is not common in British media). Singlish also uses many words borrowed from Hokkien, the Chinese dialect native to more than 75% of the Chinese in Singapore, and from Malay. In many cases, English words take on the meaning of their Chinese counterparts, resulting in a shift in meaning. This is most obvious in such cases as "borrow"/"lend", which are functionally equivalent in Singlish and mapped to the same Mandarin word, "借" (jiè), which can mean to lend or to borrow. For example: "Oi, can I borrow your calculator?" / "Hey, can lend me your calculator?"

Singlish dictionaries and word lists

File:Coxford Singlish Dictionary.jpg

The Coxford Singlish Dictionary, a light-hearted lexicon of Singlish published in 2002.

There have been several efforts to compile lexicons of Singlish, some for scholarly purposes, most for entertainment. Two early humorous works were Sylvia Toh Paik Choo's Eh, Goondu! (1982) and Lagi Goondu! (1986). In 1997 the second edition of the Times-Chambers Essential English Dictionary was published. To date, this is the only formal dictionary containing a substantial number of Singaporean and Malaysian English terms. Such entries and sub-entries are arranged alphabetically amongst the standard English entries. A list of common words borrowed from local languages such as Hokkien and Malay appears in an appendix. It appears that no subsequent editions have been published.

2002 saw the publication of the Coxford Singlish Dictionary, a light-hearted lexicon which was developed from material posted on the website Talkingcock.com. In 2004 a website, A Dictionary of Singlish and Singapore English, was launched to document the actual usage of Singlish and Singapore English in published material, in the way that the Oxford English Dictionary does for standard English. Compiled by an amateur lexicographer, the Dictionary appears to be one of the more comprehensive and professionally-written dictionaries dealing exclusively with Singlish and Singapore English available so far.

The Singapore Tourism Board and tourism-related businesses have also produced short lists of commonly used Singlish terms, ostensibly to allow foreigners visiting Singapore to comprehend the local language better. Such lists have been printed in brochures or booklets, and also published on websites.

The lack of an officially-printed version of a Singlish dictionary is due to the fact that the Singapore government frowns upon the use of Singlish, their official stand being that the speaking of Singlish will make Singaporeans difficult to understand when communicating with foreigners who are not familiar with Singlish. Thus, the government has made an effort to quash the use of Singlish and to promote the use of standard English through the Speak Good English Movement over the past few years. Though failing to discourage the use of Singlish, it has resulted in Singlish having a bad reputation in recent years, further stalling efforts to document actual Singlish usage.

Recently, there has been a resurgence in support for Singlish in Singapore. Letters contributed to the forum of The Straits Times, the main local newspaper, by readers have called for Singlish to be kept alive in Singapore. The idea of promoting Singlish was raised as part of a larger debate on creating a uniquely Singaporean identity. However, the government has yet to officially change its stand regarding Singlish.

Singlish vocabulary

A list of Singlish terms and expressions widely used in Singapore is set out below. It is not exhaustive and is meant to provide some representative examples of Singlish usage in Singapore. The origins of the Singlish terms are indicated where possible, and literal translations are provided where necessary.

General terms

0–9

4D

Local 4 digit lottery game run by Singapore Pools

5Cs

The 5 C's of Singapore, namely Cash, Car, Credit card, Condominium, (Country) Club

A

Word	Origins	Definitions	Use
Abourit	English	Corruption of "About it"	Aiyah! Exam sure fine one lah! Don worry abourit!
Act blur	English and Cantonese	A direct Chinese-Singlish translation of "裝傻". Pretend to be ignorant, feign ignorance
Act cute	English and Cantonese	Behaving in an exaggerated manner of cuteness.	Wah lau eh! Linda always try to act cute one! She think she good meh?"
Action	English	In this context, the term means that the person being described is arrogant and haughty. Can also mean a person is full of hot air.	You don't talk so much, action only!
Adoi	Malay	Exclamation of disgust or pain, similar to "Alamak" (definition explained below), but used to denote a lesser degree of exasperation.
Agak-Agak	Malay	An estimate
Agak Tarek	Malay	A combination of the word "estimate" (agak) and "pull" (tarek). It means to "hold back" or "not to go too far".	Don't talk so bad about him. Agak tarek a bit and give him some face, lah.
Agaration	Malay and English	The noun form of the word Agak Agak, which means "estimate".
Ahmad	Malay	When used by non-Malay, it usually refers to chauffeur
Ar?	Cantonese and Mandarin	Originated from the Chinese word "啊". Used in this case within questions and rhetoric where opinions and affirmations are being sought.	This dress looks good on me ar?
Ah Beng	Hokkien	A transliteration of the name "阿明". A hillbilly, someone with little dress sense. The expressions came about because Ah Beng is a common Chinese male name.
Ah Beng Ah Seng	Hokkien	A group of Ah Bengs. The word is a transliteration of the word "阿明阿成". Ah Seng" alone is a pejorative term.	Why you go and make friend with those Ah Beng Ah Seng?
Ah Chek	Hokkien	Used as a way to address a middle aged man.
Ah Huay	Hokkien	A transliteration of the word "阿花". It is synonymous to the word "Ah Lian" (definition explained below).
Ah Kah Ah Chew	Hokkien	A Hokkien phrase literally meaning "duck legs, duck hands". It is used to describe one's extremely poor coordination. Both components in the word can be used separately.	Don't go and ask him to help you set up the stage. He's very the ah kah ah chew.
Ah Kong	Hokkien	Grandpa. A transliteration of the word "阿公". The term can also be used to refer to the government itself.	(Used in the context of referring to the government) Ah Kong got so much money, why still so kiam?
Ah Kow	Hokkien	A transliteration of the word "阿狗". Frequently used alongside "Ah Beng". It can also be used to refer to dogs.
Ah Kua (or Ah Quah, Ah Gua)	Hokkien	Transliteration of the name "阿官", which means "transvestite" or "transsexual". Generally used to describe men who are perceived as feminine or homosexual.
Ah Lao	Hokkien	"Hokkien" Husband
Ah Lian	Hokkien	A transliteration of the name "阿蓮". The female equivalent of Ah Beng (see above for definition)
Ah Long	Cantonese	A transliteration of the name "阿窿", which is a shortened form of "大耳窿". Loan sharks (more likely than not, loan sharks with criminal syndicate connections)
Ah Mm	Hokkien	A way to address an old woman.
Ah Nia	Teochew	Pretty, beautiful. Term used in the context of referring to a young, beautiful girl.
Ah Neh	Hokkien	Indian person
Ah Pek	Hokkien	A way to address an old man. Male counterpart of Ah Mm. Transliteration of the word "阿伯"
Ah Pooi	Hokkien	Generic name given to a fat person. Frequently used alongside "Ah Beng".
Ah Soh	Hokkien	Transliterated from the word "阿嫂". Used as a way to address a middle aged woman. Counterpart to the word "Ah Chek" (definition explained above).
Ah Then?	English	Expression for "of course" or "duh!". "Ah then?" is the sarcastic response given to blindingly obvious questions or statements.
Ah Tiong	Hokkien	Referring to people from Mainland china.	Nowadays, all the restaurants employ Ah Tiongs who cannot speak proper English.
Ah Tong Ah Seng	Chinese, possibly Cantonese	Equivalent to the English phrase "Tom, Dick and Harry"	Every Ah Tong Ah Seng also got handphone today.
Ai Pee, Ai Chee, Ai Tua Liap Nee	Teochew	Literally "want cheap, want pretty, want big breasts!". Used to describe someone who wants the Earth. Someone with unrealistic or unreasonable desires or expectations.	Singaporeans all very hard to please, one. They all ai pee, ai chee, ai tua liap nee.
Ai Si	Hokkien	Transliteration of the word "要死". Used as a description or as an expression for one who is on thin ice.	Ai si, ah?
Ai Tzai	Hokkien	An expression for someone to calm down.	The exam is not counted one. Ai tzai!
Aiyah! (or Aiyoh!)	Cantonese	Transliteration of the word "哎呀" and "哎唷”. The term is an equivalent for "Oh No!", "Oh Dear!". Another derivative of the term, ai-yoh-yoh (Chinese: 哎唷唷), was popularized by Mediacorp Chinese drama series Good Morning, Sir!.	Aiyoh! Are you OK?
Ak Kah Chiew Ji	Chinese	Literally "as close to someone as two testicles", the term is an equivalent of "peas and pods".	Don'ch worry, I ak kah chiew ji with this feller. If I ask, he sure help you one.
Ak Kah Liao (or Ak)	Chinese	To be good and intimate friends with someone.	I didn't know you and Tom were so ak kah liao.
Akan Datang	Malay	Coming Soon. Used to be seen frequently on movie trailers and advertisements. Usage is decreasing	Be more patient OK, akan datang.
Akasai	Hokkien	A pejorative description of something or someone as extremely cutesy and girlish. Possibly a contraction of "act cute until like sai (shit)".	Aiyoh, Priscilla wear the Hello Kitty hairclips, so akasai!
Alamak	Portuguese	Phonetically close to the Chinese term "Oh, my mother!". It expresses shock or surprise. Possibly imported from Malaysia.
Ali Baba	Arabic, English	Steal, cheat. Based on the story of Ali Baba and the forty thieves.	You don' act blur, okay! I know you ali baba my fries when I went to the toilet!
All Fart and No Shit	English	(Possibly pejorative) description of someone who is full of empty promises.	Ah, shaddup lah. Everyday say you wan' to treat me go lunch. You all fart and no shit only.
Amacam	Malay	A contraction of the Malay word "Apa Macam", which is used as a greeting, similar to "What's up?"	Eh, Ramli! Long time no see! Amacam?
An zhua?	Hokkien	Word for "What's the matter?" or "What's up?". Heard very often as the first or second phrase used on a mobile phone.	Hello? An zhua?
Ang Moh	Hokkien	"Red Hair", a pejorative term for people of Caucasian descent.
Anoneh	Chinese, Japanese	Descriptive term for a Japanese girl.
Angkat Bola	Malay	To curry favor.
Apu Neh Neh	Indian	A racist term for people of Indian descent.	Ee! How come here got so many apu neh-neh?
Arbo (or Arbuthen)	English	A derivative of the term Ah Then. Began to appear in the 80's
Argly	English	A corruption of the term "Ugly".	Wah lan, check out Ah Beng's shirt. It's damn argly.
Arrow	English	To delegate an unpleasant or boring task to someone. Term derives from the military and government's practice of stamping a tiny arror next to the name of the person in official documents.	I don't know why I always kena arrow by the Inche to wash the jamban.
Arse Luck	English, endemic to the UK	Extremely bad luck.	Ah Hock just got his driving license and straightaway kena caught for speeding. What arse luck!
Atas	Malay	Upstairs. Used to describe a snobbish and arrogant person.	Wah, you nowsaday do'wan to eat ikan bilis, only eat caviar. Become damn atas oreddy
Auntie	English	A generic title for middle-aged to old females. Can be pejorative when used on a young woman. Also used to described a young person who dresses unfashionably.	Eh, today you dress very Auntie leh!
Ayam	Malay	Chicken. Used to describe someone who is easily intimidated	Man U. sure win. The other team damn ayam one.

B

Baboo Seng

Indian guy

Bang Balls

To be frustrated; Thwarted

Bar-yee

Sikh Indian

Beh Peoh

Hokkien (馬票) Lottery

Berak

Malay. To make a bowel movement.

Bian Tai

Mandarin From (变态／變態）. Means perverted.

Blur

English. Clueless. In a daze. Unaware of what is going on.

Bodoh

Malay. Stupid, ignorant.

Boh geh

Hokkien (無牙) No teeth.

Boh kah lan

Hokkien. Don't give a damn.

Boh ko leng

Hokkien. Impossible.

Boh lang ai

Hokkien. Lit. "loved by no one". Useless.

Boh liao

Hokkien. Nothing better to do. Mandarin: "wu liao" "He do lidat, so boh liao!"

Boleh

Malay. Can, possible.

Bo ji

Hokkien. No balls.

Botak

Malay. Bald head.

Brudder

Brother

Buay

Hokkien. Literally means cannot. Buay tahan = Cannot stand it

Buaya

Malay. Lit. "crocodile". A womanizer, flirt.

C

Chao

Hokkien. When talking about scent/smell, it means it's smelly. Also can be used when someone plays dirty (jiak chao) in a game."That guy play basketball very chao leh!"

Chao Keng

Hokkien. Pretending to be sick or injured. Sometimes shortened to just keng.

Chao mao

Chinese. Copycat. From the Chinese word 抄猫.

Chap Cheng

Hokkien. Person of mixed hertitage, usually with one side of the parentage being ang moh (caucasian).

Cheena

Peranakan. A crude term used to describe a Chinese national, a 'foreign talent' with implied attributes of portunism, rudeness and boorishness. Usually used to label Chinese emigrants who arrive in Singapore to seek fortune. Nowadays also used by the younger Singaporean Chinese to describe recent migrants from mainland China. Also describes someone who displays strong Chinese cultural flavours.

Chee Bye

Hokkien Cunt. Vulgar expression, sometimes used as an expletive.

Chee Hong

Hokkien. A behavior or somebody who is crazy about cunts

Cheng Hu

"Hokkien" .Refers to the government

'Cher

Singlish. Not to be confused for the American singer Cher. This term is a short way of addressing 'teacher'.

Chicken Business

English and Cantonese origin. A direct translation of the slang term "to be a prostitute" (做雞) in Cantonese.

Chikopeh

Hokkien Pervert.

Chim

Hokkien (深) Difficult.

Chin cai lah!

Hokkien In answer to a query: "I have no preference; it's up to you, don't bother me!"

Chink

A racist way of referring to Chinese

Chiobu

Hokkien. Good-looking female. Similar to use of "hot chick" in America.

Chiong sua

Hokkien. Gung ho. Lit. "to charge up a hill". In National Service/ military context the literal meaning may be used.

Chop

Stamp, seal. From Malay cap, which is from Hindi छाप ćhāp (stamp). "Make sure your passport got chop ar!"

Chop Chop

Do it Fast, don't waste time... For Example, "chop chop finish the work lah.. don't waste time lah."

Chope

Reserve a seat. Derived from chop; to leave a mark. Singaporeans have a habit of leaving objects on seats/ tables to reserve places. "Don't take this seat, I choped it already."

Confirm plus Chop

Shortened from "confirm plus guarantee got chop" To mean that you are extremely sure of something (derives from National Service/ military situations where one needs to be absolutely sure about something; guarantee got chop denotes that the paperwork will be approved)

A: "You sure next week sargent giving us leave?" (Are you sure our sergeant is granting the platoon a day off next week?)

B: "Confirm plus guarantee got chop." (The sergeant would have to get approval to grant the entire platoon a day off)

CSYM

Abbreviation of cumshot your mother. Used as an insult in a jesting fashion. Variation include CSYMITA (Cumshot your mother in the ass) or CSYMONF (Cumshot your mother on the face)

D

Da bao (or Ta Pau)

(from Cantonese 打包) To take away food. In University context, to fail a subject.

E.g. "One nasi lemak. Da bao." "Tomorrow exam today you still want to DoTA, sure dabao!"

Dey!

Indian. "Hey!"

Double confirm

Confirm and reconfirm. Used to emphasis the confirmation.

Dulan

Hokkien. Pissed. Literally to have one's testicles poked.

Diu lei

Cantonese. Vulgarity. Meaning fuck you or to have sexual intercourse with you.

E

Eye-power

Refers to someone who sits back and watches others do the work. The comic book character "Cyclops" of the X-Men is sometimes used to describe someone who uses eye-power all the time. "Whao, we do all the work, you sit there do nothing, your eye-power very good hor?"

Encik

Teacher. Also a term for Company Sergeant Major in military usage. Malay origin (Malay: Uncle)

F

Fleem

Film

Fuck spider

Used to express extreme frustration. Originates from the Army, where a "spider" was dirt in the barrel of one's rifle. If during inspection, you found a "spider" in your rifle, you'd have to strip it and clean it all over again. Hence, the term would be a rather common expletive uttered amongst recruits forced to clean their rifles over and over again.

G

Gabra

Very confused or very disorganized. Clumsy or edgy.

Gahmen

Deliberate mispronunciation of the word "government". Used as a substitute for the actual word especially when criticising the government in written form to prevent possible sanctions against the author.

Garang

Malay. Gung-ho. Lit. "fierce"

Geh-lang

Geylang. Singapore's Red Light District.

Gers

Girls.

Gone-case

English. Presumed to originate from the term "I'm a goner." To mean that your doom has been confirmed. Wah lau, the exam so difficult, I gone-case liao ar

Gong-tau

Hokkien (降头) Voodoo

Goondu

Tamil Idiot, simpleton.

Gostan

Pidgin English. Go backwards / Reverse. This actually originates from the nautical phrase "go astern".

GGXX

Adapated from arcade games, where during the end of a sparring game, the words 'GGXX', meaning 'good game' and 'game over', will be displayed prominently on the screen. It is frequently used in its short form 'GG', both forms of which means that you are doomed (i.e. game over). Rumour has it that the XX stems from the practice of a 'redouble' in contract bridge convention. If you continue like this and don't study, your exam sure ggxx liao.

H

Hao Lian

Hokkien. To boast

Heng

Hokkien. Lucky, fortunate.

Hoot

Hokkien. To beat (somebody) up. Let's go hoot him up! He stared at me for very long time.

Hor Gao Kan

"Hokkien." To engage in sexual intercourse with a member of the canine species (Dog). You say what? You want limbei to treat u dinner? You go cross the road, find a dog and go hor gao kan!

Hong kan

Hokkien. Literally, ask for fuck. Looking for trouble or to piss others off. Chee bye, dis guy stare what stare. Hong kan ah?

Hosei liao

Hokkien. Very good! Excellent! Mostly used in a sarcastic manner: You never study still want to do exam? Hosei liao!

Hosei bo?

Hokkien. How are you doing? (Greeting)

Huat

Hot

I

Inni Machiam - The meaning is "assuming to be very certain".

J

Jiak

Hokkien. Eat.

Jiak chao

Hokkien. A low tone means to play dirty, lit. "to eat dirt"; a high tone means refers to being broke hence no money for daily living, lit. "to eat grass".

Jiak Dou

Hokkien. Wedding dinner.

Jiak zhua

Hokkien. Refers to a skiver, or the act of skiving. Lit. "to eat snake".

Jia Lat

Hokkien. Oh dear! Lit. "sapping strength". Used to describe a terrible situation. "Ah! You broke your leg!? Jia lat ah! How you play soccer later?"

Jilo

Deliberate mispronunciation of the number "zero".

Jing Gao

"Hokkien" the intelligence is as good as a monkey's, or as cunning as a monkey

Jing Gang

Used to refer to a group of idling individuals. Eh, I want the whole jing gang to fall in in the parade square in 2 minutes' time.

K

Ka U

Malay. Cheating or match-fixing.

Ka Kia

Hokkien. People that listen to you.

Kampung

Malay. Village. "I was born in a kampung ... somewhere in Novena"

Kan ni na bu (chao chee bye)

Hokkien. Vulgar. Lit. "Fuck your mother", this is the archetypal Singlish insult, but it is often used just as an intensifier akin to English "fucking", and commonly abbreviated as "KNN" in written form. The long form "KNNBCCB", meaning "fuck your mother's smelly cunt", is extremely rude.

Kaopeh kaobu

Hokkien. (哭父哭母) Complain too much. Commonly abbreviated as "KPKB". Literally "cry for your parents".

Kay poh (or Kaypo)

Chinese origins (written as 雞婆 in Chinese) . Refers to a person that is nosey parker or busybody. Eg 'Eh, Don't be so kaypoh leh!'. Sometimes abbreviated as "KPO".

Ki Siao

Hokkien. To go mad. Often used to scold people. "You kee siao or what? Go complain to teacher for what? Think i scared of you issit?"

Kena

to be afflicted with, to suffer (from) (Malay passive auxiliary)

Kenasai! / kanasai!

Exclamation of anger to show your frustration at something that is not done satisfactorily. "Kanasai! How come today test so hard arh? Gone case liao lah!"

Kilat

excellent - army term referring to someone who shines his boots well. See also "solid"

Ki Chia

(literally "Up the Car") Used to describe something very bad. Eg 'My exam ki chia liao.' Possibly derived from the action of an injured person being lifted into an ambulance. Another term used is "Up Lorry".

Kiah su / kiasu

(literally "scared to lose/of loss") somebody who fears losing out (from Hokkien 惊输)

See also: kiasu

Kiah si / kiasi

(literally "scared to die/of death") somebody who fears losing out (from Hokkien 惊死)

See also: kiasi

Kiam

Hokkien (咸) lit "salty" Stingy.

Kiam Pah

Hokkien (欠打) Deserve a beating.

Kio Kuay

Hokkien(叫鸡）lit.Call Chicken. Go look for prostitutes

Kope

(copy) to take without permission. "eh, don't kope my homework leh"

Kopi

"Malay" Coffee

Kuku

stupid/silly; unfashionable; crazy. "Eh, Leonard, why the kuku face?!"

Kuku house

asylum (kuku here refers to crazy)

Kum Lan

Suck Cock

L

Lah!

Most basic and famous of Singlish expressions. Tagged as an exclamation usually (but not in questions). "Good lah!" / "Go home lah!" / "Ok lah!" / "Eat lah!" / "Cannot do it like this lah!"

Lam par

pronounced LUM PAR Hokkien. Packet of the balls. Also used as a vulgarity to show exclamation, "Lampah! Who said you can do this?" In 2004, Chen Tang-shan, foreign minister of ROC, condemned the speech of Singaporean foreign minister as "Holding PRC's lampar" which means "supporting PRC indefinitely".

Long-Piak

Hokkien Bang Wall

LPPL

Lam par par lan. Balls hit the dick. Means damned if you do, damned if you don't i.e. I'm fucked.

Lup sup bar/KTV

Cantonese + English Used to refer to those sleazy establishments where girls would do "unclean" stuff to customers. Lup sup literally means "garbage".

Lan jiao

Hokkien. Penis. Used in a multitude of phrases like "gar lan jiao"(the equivalent of "suck my dick") and "similanjiao?"(What?!!), and combined with other vulgarities in the popular expletive chain(eg.kanninabuchowcheebyekaobehkaobulanjiaohorgaoganlimbehhorlesi!)

Lim peh

Hokkien. Used when demonstrating authority, usually in a sneering manner. Lit. "your father".

Lim bu

An offshoot from the term Lim peh, used perhaps as a demonstration of feminist power, as opposed to patriachy in the term 'lim peh'. Lit. "your mother"

Luan hoot!

Hokkien. To bark up the wrong tree; to cast a wide net hoping to catch something. Lit. "randomly hit".

Leh

Most basic and famous of Singlish expressions. Similar to Lah, depend on the situation to use. Usually it trying to put across the meaning "Don't make thing difficult or Don't you understand?!?!?!" What it's trying to emphasize is determine by the tone. Ex: "Dun be angry leh / I didn't do it on purpose de leh". or "I told you I dunno how to do it liao leh"

Leh Chey

Tedious

Liao

Most basic and famous of Singlish expressions. Means "already". From Chinese "了". Ex: "Lai liao, Lai liao!!" Lai is "Come" in Chinese, so "Lai liao" means "Come already"/ "I am coming"/ "(someone) has come". Liao can also be used with Leh or Lah. "I told you he came liao leh!/I told you he came liao lah!"

M

Mah / Ma

*Most basic and famous of Singlish expressions. Tagged as a question. From Chinese "吗". "Can he do it mah/ma? / He come liao ma/mah?"

Mah-cham

Malay. As if; to resemble something in a certain way.

Mai siao lah!

Hokkien. Don't be crazy!

Makan

Malay. To eat.

Mangali / Mankali

A corruption of "Bengali". A crude way to refer to ethnic Indians.

Manjan

A racist way of referring to Chinese

Masak-Masak

A child's game. Malay origin.

Mata

Malay. Police. Sometimes used as a quick warning that the police are here. Lit. "eye".

Mati

Malay. To die, to be doomed.

Merepek

Malay, Nonsense, Rubbish

Merlion

(verb) To vomit, especially after drinking. Also used in the Navy to describe sailors vomiting due to seasickness. A reference to the famous Merlion statues

More better

The incorrect, but frequently used expression of the word "better"

Mong xing xing / Mong cha cha

Cantonese. To be generally unalert, aware, in a daze, or "blur"; "don't know what happen".

• (1)You always mong xing xing, later za bor take away all your money then you know.
• (2)He always Mong cha cha since his girl friend left him last year.

Muds

used in a pejorative context to refer to the malay as brown people and in an ethnic slur.

Mug

To cram; to study excessively.

N

Nah Bei / Na beh

Various contractions of "Ka Ni Na Bu Chao Chee Bye". The rudest phrase of all. Use only if you wish to be beaten up or want other people to think you were raised in a longkang. Lit. "Fuck your mother/Fuck your mother's smelly cunt.".

Neh Neh (or nair nair)

Breast

Ngeow

Hokkien. Someone who is overly meticulous, nit-picky or tries to find fault. Lit. "cat".

Ngeow Chee Ngeow Lan

Extremely Stingy

O

Orbi / Orbi quek / Orbi good

'Another term for "Serves you right."'

Orbit / Obiang

'Someone or something that is gaudy or overly flamboyant in taste.'

ORD loh!

ORD (Operationally Ready Date) is the date on which a National Serviceman completes his 2-year military service. A favourite exultation of those nearing their ORD. Sometimes, ORD is also used as a verb. "I am going to ORD soon!"

Orh Gwee Tau

Lit. Turtle-head. Pimp.

Orh Pee Sai

　Dig nose

Orredy

Sloppy pronunciation of "already". "You finish homework orredy or not hah?"

OTOT

'own time/ own target. Meaning "to act on your own initiative." or in the context of training in sports etc, "to do it at your own pace and abilities"' Of army origins, during shooting practice, before shots are fired at the range, the commander will usually give the order "Firers, own time own target, carry on". Evolved to the bastardised Singlish version "Own time, own target, carry on!"

P

Pantang

Malay bad luck, being superstitious, superstitions

Pang Sai

Hokkien To do bowel movement

Pang Sai Kor Piak

Hokkien to strive hard. corruption of the standard chinese idiom 发奋图强

Pak Zamn

Hokkien translation of "needle injection". To describe something faulty or not usable " The pork meat got Pak Zamn one." "Your eyes got Pak Zamn, is it?

Pariah

English To be unworthy from sight or touch, ugly, deformed. To only be allowed to live in the digestive wastes of others

Pasar Malam

Malay Night Market. "The food over at those pasar malam are very much better I think"

Pai Kia

Gangster

Pee Koh

mucus

Pee Sai

snot

Pak Toh/Pak Tor

Cantonese/Chinese 拍拖. Dating

Photostat

photocopy (reference to old photostat)

Pia(h) / Bia(h)

Hokkien. to rush to charge or to fuck; to work hard at something. "I need to pia for my exam sia" or "I want to pia taxi home" or "I pia that girl before"

Pok Kai

Cantonese In Singapore Cantonese and Singlish, it means to go bankrupt. In standard Cantonese as spoken in Hong Kong or Guangdong, it means cursing people to die on street or scolding that person bastard

Por Lam Par

Hokkien Suck up to a person

Pu Bor

Teochew. Vulgar. Lit. "Fuck your mother", is extremely rude.

Puah Chee Bye

Hokkien. Torn vagina

Pa Chiu Cheng

Hokkien. Mastubate

Pa Siao

Hokkien. Shoot sperm.

Q

Qia zha bo

Qia means fierce and arrogant, zha bo means a lady. Thus, the complete term 'Qia Zha Bo' refers to a fierce and arrogant lady who wants everything done her way.

R

Return back

To give back. Direct translation from the Chinese phrase.

Revert

To reply. Often used in email and text messages.

S

Sahn-mahn

Traffic Summons

Sam Seng

or Sam Seng Kia - Gangster. Sam Seng was one of the infamous Chinese gangs in Malaysia-Singapore pre-1965

Sargen

Sergeant

Sakar

Malay. To flatter, to lick one's boots. Derived from Malay meaning 'sugar', which may have been derived from Hindi 'sakar' or 'Sakkar' meaning 'sugar' and 'sweet words', and ultimately from Persian 'shakar' meaning 'sugar', 'sweet'.

Sekali

Malay. Pronounced SCAR-ly. Lest, what if. "Sekali no way to go out, then how?"

Shiok

Punjabi. Great! An expression of satisfaction. Originally "shauk" in Punjabi.

Sia

An exclamation "Wah! He pro sia!"

Siam

Hokkien. Get out of the way! Considered rude but effective.

Siam-bu

Thai girl

Siam-kia

Thai Guy

Sian

Hokkien. Bored, tired, or sick of something. "I am so sian! Nothing to do, man!"

Siao / Xiao

Hokkien. Refers to either "crazy" in response to: "You wan to go the haunted hospital tonight anot?" "Siao ah you?" or an offensive term used to address a friend: "Xiao eh! wan to go clubbing tonight anot?" (Not considered offensive if used between close friends.)

Sod

British English. Used to express a machine, person, or object that has gone mental or haywire. "That computer sod already." or "He sod one lah!"

Song

Hokkien, Cantonese. (爽) Used to express pleasure. "After the bath, I feel very song!" Lit. "feels good".

Sotong

Malay. Forgetful or not knowing what is going on. Lit. "squid".

Suaku

Hokkien. (山龜) Not well informed or backward; a country bumpkin. Lit. "mountain tortoise".

Suay

Hokkien. Unlucky.

Sup sup sui

Cantonese. Something that is insignificant or easy to do. Lit. "a little drop of water".

Sui

Hokkien. Pretty

Seh

Malay. an exlamation "wah pro seh!"

Song ka

Hokkien. Funeral Wake.

T

Ta pau

Cantonese 打包 Take away (used only when cooked food is concerned)

Tai ko (also spelled "tyco")

Hokkien Lucky (only used sacarstically). Literally "leper"

Talk cock / tok kok

Talking nonsense / senselessly. Probably originated from the English expression "cock and bull story". "Don't tok kok lah! Where got like that one?"

Tangi

Funeral.

Tang Kee

Temple Medium

Tekan

Malay Bully/Torture.

Tekko

Meaning bamboo pole (usually used for hanging wet clothes), but the word is often used to describe one's body to look like a bamboo pole (skinny).

Thiam/Diam

Hokkien. A very rude way of saying "shut up!" "Oi! Thiam lah! I'm trying to study!"

Thambi

Tamil for Brother

Tiao Tang

Go into trance

Tiao Kang

Purposely

Tiam

To describe a person suffering in a bad situation or he is unable to enjoy positive benefits. "Aiyo, why did you do like this? Tiam ah Tiam!".

Tok Kong

lit. Single Claw or Single Horn - means superb, without equal

Toot

Stupid / silly. "He wear like that look very toot hor?"

Terbalek / Tombalek

Malay Opposite / Upside-down / Inside-out. "Did you see that? He wear his shirt terbalek leh!"

Tua neh bu

Hokkien A girl with large breasts.

Tua pai

Hokkien. A big shot; someone of a high status. "You think you got money damn tua pai is it?"

Tua Peh Kong

Hokkien A popular Taoist deity. Also refers to the fall guy bearing the charges on behalf of a criminal syndicate

Tu Tu Train

Train; toot-toot train. Boy ah, you go onto the tu tu train, mummy take nice picture of you, you must smile sui sui ok?''

U

Un

abbreviation for understand

Ulu

Malay. Used to describe a rural or remote area. Commonly found in road names around Singapore as well.

Uncle

Used as a generic title for males who are middle-aged or older, especially those who are not well acquainted. "Uncle! One teh-C and one milo-peng!" Similarly to auntie, used by young children to denote respect for a male adult

Also used to describe a younger person who behaves/dresses in an uncool/unfashionable manner. (See Auntie)

V

Very the

Same meaning as just saying "very" but is usually used with a clearly sarcastic tone. "Wah! You like that also cannot do? You very the good leh!"

W

Wet

To have fun at a party. "Wei, do you want to wet tonight?""

Wei Tua

Hokkien translation of "slipper" or "sandals"

Wah lao! / Wah piang! / Wah seh! / Wah kao!

Hokkien. Exclamation of shock. "Wah piang! Why he so bad one!"

Womit

Bad pronunciation of "vomit" "Ee! He going to womit already liao!"

X

X-ray

Meaning is to scan. "I have already X-ray the girls in the room."

Xian

"Hokkien" hitch a girl

Y

Ya ya papaya

An arrogant person.

Your head

Mild curse used to disabuse someone of his or her erroneous assumption. "He get first in class? Your head lah!"

Yandao

A handsome male, see Chio Bu (female version)

Z

zheng ah (cantonese)means "good" or "great". you are so "zheng ah". you are so good or great.

zai lor/leh/lah

  to be very good in something. you damn zai lor, can play until so well!

Food and beverages

See also: Cuisine of Singapore

Singlish is prominently used in local coffee shops, or kopitiams (the word is obtained by combining the Malay word for coffee and the Hokkien word for shop), and other eateries. Local names of many food and drink items consist of words from different languages and are indicative of the multi-racial society in Singapore. For example, teh is the Malay word for tea which itself originated from Hokkien, peng is the Hokkien word for ice, kosong is the Malay word for zero to indicate no sugar, and C refers to Carnation, a brand of evaporated milk.

NOTE: Hokkien is NOT Singlish. Only local dishes which have no other English terms would then be considered Singlish. However, drinks in local coffeeshops have slowly evolved into their own Singlish jargon, in a mix of Malay, Hokkien and English - which would be considered Singlish in this context. (Please see section on Drinks)

Food

Names of common local dishes in Singapore hawker centres are usually referred to in local dialect or language. However, as there are no English words for certain food items, the dialect terms used for them have slowly evolved into part of the Singlish vocabulary. Ordering in Singlish is widely understood by the hawkers. Some examples of food items which have become part of Singlish:

Chze Char

(Hokkien) Literally means cook and fry. General term for food served by mini restaurants in local hawker stalls serving restaurant style Chinese dishes, like fried noodles, sweet and sour porked, claypot tofu etc.

Char Kway Teow

(Hokkien) Fried flat rice noodles with bean sprouts, Chinese sausages, eggs and cockles, in black sweet sauce, with or without chilli.

Chwee Kuay

(Hokkien) cup shaped steamed rice flour cakes topped with preserved vegetables (usually radish) and served with or without chilli

Ice Kachang

Crushed ice with flavoured liquids poured into them. Beans and jelly are usually added as well.

Kaya

(Malay) Local jam mixture made of coconut, sugar and egg of Straits Chinese origins

Kaya-roti

(Malay) Toasted bread with Kaya

Mee Goreng

(Chinese/Malay) Malay fried noodles

Otah

(Malay) Fish paste wrapped in banana leaf or coconut leaves and cooked over a charcoal fire. South East Asian influence - you can find similar versions in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia

Popiah

(Hokkien) Chinese spring rolls (non fried). Various condiments and vegetables wrapped in a flour skin with sweet flour sauce. Condiments can be varied, but the common ones include turnip, bamboo shoots, lettuce, Chinese sausage, prawns, bean sprouts, garlic and peanut. Origins from China. Hokkien and Straits Chinese (Nonya) popiah are the main versions.

Rojak

(Malay) local salad of Malay origins. Mixture of sliced cucumber, pineapple, turnip, dried beancurd, Chinese doughsticks, bean sprouts with prawn paste, sugar, lotus buds and assam (tamarind).

Roti John

(Malay/English) Indian version of western hamburger comprising of 2 halves of French loaves fried with egg and minced beef/mutton. Colonial origins.

Hokkien hae mee (Hokkien/Fujian prawn noodles; 福建蝦麺)

Refers to either the Penang prawn noodle or Singapore prawn noodle. Soup based (Penang) and stir fried (Singapore). Egg noodles and rice noodles with no dark soya sauce used.Prawn is the main ingredient with slices of chicken or pork, squid and fish cake. Kang Kong (water spinach) is common in the Penang version

Hokkien char mee (Hokkien/Fujian fried noodles; 福建炒麺)

Refers to the Kuala Lumpur Hokkien noodle. It is a dish of thick yellow noodles braised in thick dark soy sauce with pork, squid, fish cake and cabbage as the main ingredients and cubes of pork fat fried until crispy.

Beverages

Types of tea

Teh

(Hokkien/Malay) Tea

Teh-O

(Hokkien) Tea without milk but instead with sugar.

Teh-O-ice-limau

(Hokkien-English-Malay) Home brewed iced lemon tea

Teh-C

(Hokkien/Malay-Roman alphabet) Tea with evaporated milk. The C refers to the Carnation brand of evaporated milk.

Teh-cino

Tea version of cappuccino

Teh-Peng

(Hokkien) Tea with ice.

Teh-Poh

Weak or thin tea.

"Teh-kosong"

Plain Tea.

Teh-kah-dai

Tea with more sugar and milk.

Teh-siu-dai

Tea with less sugar and milk.

Teh-pua seo

Luke-Warmed tea.

Teh-O-kah-dai

Tea with more sugar.

Teh-O-siu-dai

Tea with less sugar

Teh-C-kah-dai

Tea with more milk.

Teh-C-siu-dai

Tea with less milk.

"Teh-packet" or "Teh-pao"

Tea to go.

Teh-Tarik

'Pulled' tea with milk, a Malay specialty.

Types of coffee

Kopi

(Hokkien) Coffee

Kopi-O

Coffee without milk

Kopi-C

Coffee with evaporated milk. The C refers to the Carnation brand of evaporated milk.

Kopi-Peng

(Hokkien) Coffee with ice.

Kopi-packet or Kopi-pao

Coffee to go.

Kopi-pua seo

Luke-Warmed coffee.

Kopi-gao

Thick coffee.

Kopi-poh

Weak or thin coffee.

Kopi-kosong

Plain coffee.

Kopi-kah-dai

Coffee with more sugar.

Kopi-siu-dai

Coffee with less sugar.

Other beverages

Bandung

(Malay) Rose syrup-milk drink, of Indian origins. (Goat's milk was used in the old days)

Ice kosong

(English-Malay) Iced water

Horlick-dinosaur

Iced Horlicks with extra scoop of Horlicks powder on top

Horlick-sio

Hot Horlicks

Horlick-peng

Iced Horlicks

Milo-sio

Hot Milo.

Milo-dinosaur

Iced Milo with extra scoop of undissolved Milo powder on top

Milo-Peng

Iced Milo

Tak Kiu

(Hokkien; literally means football or soccer) Milo; Nestlé Milo often uses soccer and other sports as the theme of its advertisement.

Tak Kiu-Peng

Iced Milo

Tiau Herr

(Hokkien; literally means fishing). Tea with the tea bag. Reference to dipping of tea bag.

The above list is not complete; for example, one can add the "-peng" suffix (meaning "iced") to form other variations such as Teh-C-peng (tea with evaporated milk and ice) which is a popular drink considering Singapore's warm weather.

English words with different meanings in Singlish

• expressway - a motorway - I was driving on the Pan-Island Expressway.
• follow - to come along/accompany - "Can I follow?"
• having here - to eat in at a restaurant. The antonym is "take away" or "tah-bao".
• help, lah - please, do lend me a hand by desisting from whatever it is you are doing; help me out here - "Help lah, stop hitting on my sister"
• last time - previously, in the past - "Last time I would want to go down to Africa, but I don't know about now."
• mug - to study - Derived from British 'mug up'. Common expression amongst all students. Instead of 'He's mugging up...', locally used as 'He's mugging for...'.
• marketing - going to the market or shops to buy food - Rare expression."My dad may help in the marketing side, by going to the market to get some things."
• next time - in the future - "Next time when you get married, you'll know how to cook."
• on, off - to switch on/off - "I on the TV"
• on ah - It's settled then?
• open - to turn on a light - "I open the light." (Derived from Chinese, which uses the verb "to open" in this manner. Use of "open" to mean "turn on" is limited specifically to lamps or lights.)
• pass up - to hand in - "Pass up your assignments". Although once common, usage is now discouraged in schools.
• revert - to get back (commonly used in business emails) - "Please revert your decision to us" doesn't mean "Please change your decision", but rather "Please get back to us with your decision".
• send - to take (i.e. drive) somebody somewhere - "She gets her maid to send the boy in a cab."
• solid/steady - capable; excellent - "Solid sia, that movie." See also "Kilat"
• sabo - to play a trick on someone. Short for "sabotage", but with an everyday usage. - "Because he sabo me, now boss mad at me!"
• stay - to live (in a place). From Malay "tinggal". - "My grandmother, my aunt and uncle also stay next door."
• steady - attached (in relationships) OR agreeing over something, usually over an appointment - "Eh u two steady liao ah?", "Today, come 3 o'clock? Steady."

- cool, capable (to praise integrity or strength) - "Wa you sick also turn up for work? Steady!"

• stone - to space out; to do nothing
• take - to eat; to have a meal - "Have you taken your lunch? I don't take pork."
• tok kok - (talk cock) - Probably from the English "cock and bull story". Talking senselessly/rubbish; "Don't tok kok lah!"

Expressions

• Blur like sotong - literally blur like a squid. To be extremely clueless. Squids squirt ink as a self-defence mechanism to get away. The ink makes it hard to see, thus "blur". - "Wah! You damn blur leh! Liddat also dunno!"
• Don't fly my kite/aeroplane - Rare expression. A Singlish expression which means 'Please do not go back on your word' or 'Please do not stand me up'
• Don't play play! - Uncommon expression, popularised by the local comedy series Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd. Used only to evoke humour. Means 'Don't fool around' or 'Better take things seriously'
• Got problem is it? - an aggressive, instigatory challenge. Or an expression of annoyance when someone is disturbed. 'Do you have a problem?'
• He still small boy one - a remark (Often offensive) made against someone who is not of a legally median age allowed by the law. Or expression used to excuse someone because he is either immature or still too young to know the difference.
• Issit/Izzit? - lazy/bastardised form of "is it?" Used in various contexts, to question in both positive and negative forms, or as a response in a rhetorical quizzical manner. Eg: You going home now issit? Eg: You not going home issit? Eg: Someone comments: "You look good today." Answer: "Issit??"
• Last time policemen wear shorts! - a retort made to someone who refers to how policies were made in the past. Or in response to something which is passe. Or to brush aside old references or nostalgia. Direct reference to the British colonial police forces who wore three-quarter khaki pants in the 1950s and 60's.
• Liddat oso can!? - (English - Like that also can?) In response to feats of achievement or actions which are almost impossible, or unexpected. Usually with tinge of awe, sarcasm or scepticism.
• My England not powderful! - (English - My English is not powerful (good)) Uncommon expression, used only to evoke humour. Literally means 'My English is not good'.
• no fish prawn oso can - accepting a lesser alternative (direct translation of the Hokkien idiom "bo hir hay mah hoh.")
• Not happy, talk outside! - Used as a challenge to a fight to settle an argument, by taking it outside. (Hokkien: Ow buay gong (settle it at the back/alley way))
• No horse run! - (Hokkien - Bo bei chow) Original Hokkien expression used in horse racing jargon to describe a champion horse which is way ahead of the field. Used to describe things (food usually) which are ahead of its peers.
• On lah!/On!/Set! - "It's on!"; expression used to voice enthusiastic agreement or confirmation (of an arranged meeting, event etc.)
• Relak lah! - (Malay-English for Relax) Expression used to ask someone to chill, cool it.
• ..then you know! - Expression used at the back of a sentence to emphasise consequence of not heeding advice. 'Tell you not to park double yellow line, kena summon then you know!'
• Why you so liddat ar? - (English - Why are you so "like that"?) 'an appeal made to someone who is being unreasonable.'
• You think, I thought, who confirm? - army expression used during organisational foul ups. Generally used as a response to "I thought..." when something goes wrong.
• You want 10 cent? - Means to "buzz off!" Refers to public phones that require 10 cents per call.
• Your grandfather's place/road ah?, Your father own this place/road? - Used to cut someone down to size in terms of their obnoxious boorish behaviour, behaving as if they owned the place.

See also

• Singlish
• List of Singapore abbreviations

References

• Ho, Mian Lian and Platt, John Talbot (1993). Dynamics of a contact continuum: Singapore English. Oxford: Clarendon Press; New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-824828-8.
• Lim, Lisa (2004). Singapore English: a grammatical description. Amsterdam; Philadelphia: John Benjamins. ISBN 1-58811-576-3.
• Newbrook, Mark (1987). Aspects of the syntax of educated Singaporean English: attitudes, beliefs, and usage. Frankfurt am Main; New York: P. Lang. ISBN 3-8204-9886-9.
• Platt, John Talbot and Weber, Heidi (1980). English in Singapore and Malaysia: status, features, functions. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-580438-4.

External links

• The Coxford Singlish Dictionary @ Talkingcock.com
• A Dictionary of Singlish and Singapore English
• Potential influences of Chinese on English