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| Singapore Travel » Singapore Information » Everyday Words and Phrases in Singapore |
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Everyday Words and Phrases in Singapore |
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The newcomer to the island of Singapore should be familiar with some common words, especially certain Mandarin (Chinese) and Malay words. (Malay or Bahasa Melayu is the native language spoken by Malaysians). The demographic population of Singapore is approximately 77% Chinese, 15% Malay and 8% Indian (of which Tamils outnumber the rest). There's also a smattering of Japanese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Philipino and Thai that one gets to hear in Singapore as immigrants from all these countries have also made Singapore their home.
Here are some frequently heard singlish words and phrases:
Alla mak! This is used almost every time some one is amazed. This is a word that one exclaims with. Example- 'Alla mak! what she doing here la!'
Aiyoh! This is used to express dismay or pity. 'She so pretty, then why she go kill herself, Aiyoh!'
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Ayer. Ayer means water.
AyamThis word is used to describe someone who is easily intimidated.
AtasThis word is used to describe an arrogant person.
Baju Malay word for ladies top or dress (it forms the top half of the traditional Malay 'bajukoro')
Blur. Blur means Confused. Interestingly, it is used as an adjective not as a verb.
Boleh Malay for 'can' or possible.
Bodoh This word is used to describe someone as Stupid and Ignorant.
Belanja Belanja means to give someone treat.
Chin chye not to worry about the details, indicating to relax ('Jus Chin chye la!' )
Chinese Helicopter originated in the National Service (army), meaning a very educated person
ChopeThis word is used for reserving the seat.
ChopChop means stamp or seal.
Double ConfirmThis word is used to show emphasis on Confirmation.
DuhThis word tells about "Certainity"
EncikThis means Mister in Malay.
GabraThis word tells about "Confusion"
Gahmen Slang version for government (of Singapore).
GarangThis word tells about courage
GerGer means Corruption of Girl
HDB abbreviation for Housing Development Board Standard Government accommodation, Nearly 80% of Singaporeans live in HDB Flats.
Jalan Malay word for road or street.
JerorizeTo nullify something i.e. making Zero
Jia LatTells about the trouble situation.
Kaypoh a keypoh is a busybody, a nosey parker
Kampong Malay village
Kopitiam Hokkien for coffee shop. In Singapore, these are local cafeterias where one can get tea, coffee and the omnipresent Kaya toast and other snacks.
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Kway png local Chicken Rice; the staple diet for most Singaporeans.
Kena It is used with words that have negative effect or connotation and used as an auxiliary to mark the passive voice.
Lelong Sale or Auction. Singaporean salesmen & saleswomen prefer to use the word 'offer'
Meh is used to form questions expressing surprise or scepticism
Mee a kind of noodle, very common in Singapore's food courts.
Nasi Padang a mixed Malay meal
Mee Goreng and Nasi Goreng are also popular dishes in Singapore.
Makan. Malay for food 'You makan alleady?' literally translated means have you eaten already?
Sala. This Malay word means wrong or incorrect.
Sayang. Malay word meaning love
Shiok Malay word meaning best quality
Sotong Malay for squid. So a sotong person is someone who is clueless (dumb).
Siao Literally, it means crazy.
Stylo singlish for stylish
Wah! Used to denote amazement. 'Wah!' Mr. Lee got new car orready.'
Ya Lah! This emphasizes yes. 'Ya Lah! , I know he come here once orready.
Terimakaseh or Makaseh . Both words mean 'Thank You' in Malay.
Ebu or Ibu. This word means Mother in Malay.
Abang. This means brother in Malay.
Click here for some Useful Singlish |
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Last Updated On: 15/12/2011
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