SINGLISH - A Language Guide for Foreigners

SINGLISH... when an English-speaking foreigner first arrives in Singapore, one of the first things noted is that most locals have a fairly good grasp of the English language. As time goes by, and one spends much time living and interracting with the locals (especially outside of the tourist areas), it soon becomes apparent that English alone is not enough to fully converse on local topics.

The intent of this post is to offer a guide to non-Singlish speaking people to perhaps better understand what is going on around them :p

It should be noted, that I consider Singlish to be a part of the essence of Singapore and it's culture! Before I begin with the background and 'common' Singlish terms and their meanings, I've updated the original video I posted here (no longer available) and replaced it with my kids and me promoting the Speak Mandarin Campaign in Singapore (disclaimer: this was some years ago :)

I have tried to remove any of the 'vulgar' or swear words from this text - I apologise for anything I've missed, or if it offends any people - this is not my intent lah!
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 lend your calculator?" / "Can lend me your calculator?" This is technically incorrect in standard English but is widely used in 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
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


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.
A direct Chinese-Singlish translation of "裝嬌". Behaving in an exaggeratedly cute or adorable fashion. Usually describing females who seemingly cannot escape their childhood. Can be used as both verb and adjective.


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". Also a corruption of the English word "aggregation", also of the same meaning.


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 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 "阿聾", which is a shortened form of "大耳聾". 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 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 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.


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.



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 lang ai Hokkien. Lit. "nobody wants (you)". 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Chikopeh Hokkien Pervert.

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

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)
Da bao (or Ta Pau) (from Cantonese 打包) To take away food.
E.g. "One nasi lemak. Da bao."

Dey! Indian. "Hey!"

Double confirm Confirm and reconfirm. Used to emphasis the confirmation.

Dulan Hokkien. Pissed. Literally to have oneself's testicles poked.

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)

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"

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

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.

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.

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

Jiak Hokkien. Eat.

Jiak chao Hokkien. A low tone means to play dirty, lit. "to eat dirt"; a high tone means refers to a skiver, or the act of skiving, lit. "to eat grass".

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 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.

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

Kaopeh kaobu Hokkien. (哭父苦母) 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".

Kee 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)

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

Kiam Hokkien (咸) lit "salty" Stingy.

Kiam Pah Hokkien (欠打) Deserve a beating.

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

Kopi "Malay" Coffee

Kuku stupid/silly; unfashionable; crazy

Kuku house asylum (kuku here refers to crazy)

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 pah pronounced LUM PAR Hokkien. Packet of the balls. Also used as a vulgarity to show exclamation, "Lampah! Who said you can do this?"

Lap sap bar/KTV Cantonese + English Used to refer to those sleazy establishments where girls would do "unclean" stuff to customers. Lap sap literally means "garbage".

Lan jiao Hokkien. Penis.

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!"

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.

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 boa take away all your money then you know.
(2)He always Mong cha cha since his girl friend left him last year.

Mug To cram; to study excessively.

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

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!"

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!"

Pantang Malay bad luck, being superstitious, superstitions

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

Pak Toh Cantonese 拍拖. To flirt

Photostat photocopy (reference to old photostat)

Pia(h) / Bia(h) to rush or charge; to work hard at something. "I need to pia for my exam sia" or "I want to pia taxi home"

Pok Kai Cantonese to go bankrupt or lose money

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.

Return back To give back. Direct translation from the Chinese phrase.

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.

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.)

Song Hokkien. (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".

Seh Malay. an exlamation "wah pro seh!"

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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!"

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!"

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)

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

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-kah-dai Tea with more sugar and milk.

Teh-siu-dai Tea with less sugar and milk.

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-gao Thick coffee.

Kopi-poh Weak or thin 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 with ice) which is a popular drink considering Singapore's warm weather.

ENGLISH WORDS WITH DIFFERENT MEANINGS IN SINGLISH

• follow - to come along/accompany - "Can I follow?"
• expressway - a motorway - I was driving on the Pan-Island Expressway.
• 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) - "I'll revert to you by tomorrow"


• 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.

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