What's Singapore without its own lingua franca? In Singapore it's fondly known as Singlish.
As foreigners you may have some trouble understanding some of our slangs, and so this section hopes to familiarize you with some of the more common Singlish terms. The rest just comes naturally.
Here is our Singlish Dictionary so far...
As foreigners you may have some trouble understanding some of our slangs, and so this section hopes to familiarize you with some of the more common Singlish terms. The rest just comes naturally.
Here is our Singlish Dictionary so far...
A
• anot
A Singlish amalgamation of “a” and “not” in English. Often used in Singlish questions.
Eg. Can you help me pass up this worksheet anot?
B
• Bo/Boh
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect meaning “没有”.
Eg. The Japanese stall bo chicken already you still want buy?
• bochup
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect meaning to wash one’s hands off a certain matter.
Eg. This guy extremely bochup, he doesn’t even care about our group project!
• brudder
A Singlish term meaning “brother”.
Eg. Eh brudder can you don't shout like that?
Eg. Eh brudder, can you pass me the drink?
C
• Cam liao
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect, it literally translates to “惨了”. Often used in scenarios where someone is about to get into trouble.
Eg. Insulting the teacher in that manner? Cham liao lah!
D
• Dao
A Singlish term meaning “ignore”.
Eg. Got so much things to do, feel like daoing, next week then do lah!
• Dunno
A Singaporean way of saying "don't know".
Eg. Eh today got what homework ah? Dunno leh.
E
•Eh
A Singaporean way of trying to get someone's attention. It is not very polite to address people this way, but some people still do this to close friends.
Eg. Eh. You go watch movie, bojio?!
• Eeyer
A Singaporean way of expressing disgust
Eg. Eeyer, how can someone be so unhygenic?
F
• Fly kite
A Singporean way of implying that a person is being unreasonable, telling him to dream on.
Eg. You think we'll help you finish your part of the project, just because you got sore throat? Go fly kite larh.
G
• GG
A popular term on the internet that has become frequently used by Singaporean teenagers. “GG” means “good game” – usually in a sarcastic manner to annoy opposing players on the internet.
It also means that one is not gonna do well for something, or has messed up.
Eg. No one knew how to do the test … our marks GG liao.
H
• Harh
A Singlish term to show confusion.
Eg. Harh!? Are you kidding me?
I
•Idk
A short form for "I don't know"
J
• Jialat
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect, which means to get into trouble.
Eg. If we don't do this assignment by today midnight we jialat lah.
• Jio
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect meaning “叫”. Can also mean to invite people to activities/events.
Eg. If you going somewhere fun during holidays better jio us ok?
K
•Kajiao
A Singlish term just to describe the action of bothering, similar to that of tekan. However, it is less used to describe the action of a superior, and more so of someone who wishes to be an annoyance.
Eg. Eh don't keep kajiaoing him leh. He got cca in an hour and he needs to finish his homework now.
•Kelong
A Singlish term originating from the Malay language, it is usually used to describe match-fixing or biasedness in competitions.
Eg. This referee kelong lah, always awarding free kicks to the opponent!
L
• Lorh/Lor (咯)
A popular complementary word used to end a sentence.
Eg. You see, the project is now in a complete mess, and it’s all your fault lorh!
• Larh/Lah (啦)
A popular complementary word used to end a sentence, based upon the Chinese word “啦”.
Eg. Don't just stand there, come and help us larh.
• Leh
A popular complementary term used to end off a sentence. Very similar to “呢”.
Eg. If you all just slack off like that, then the assignment how leh?
• Liddat
A Singlish amalgamation of the two words “like that”.
Eg. Liddat larh never jio me to USS what kind of friends are you all?
• Limbei
A Hokkien term which loose translates to “your father” in English. Often used in a rude manner to place emphasis on a certain issue.
Eg. Limbei warn you ah, I am your superior.
• Lol
The shortened version of "Laugh out loud". Despite what it actually means, many people use it due to awkwardness in a situation or because of something stupid.
Eg. Eh what to do now ah? Idk lol.
M
• Mm Tzai
A hokkien phrase that means "don't know". Used when one chooses to show indifference.
Eg. Boy, where is your homework? Wa mm tzai.
N
• Na
A Singlish term which serves as a substitute for “here you go” in English. Used when passing things to others
Eg. Na, this is the drink you wanted.
• Niao
A word generally used by Singaporean teens nowadays to represent the act of boasting/bragging (which is usually done unintentionally).
Eg. Get A1 for 9 subjects then come and niao us, so boastful!
• Nia
A term generally used to downplay a person’s achievement. Often used sarcastically to boast.
Eg. 1.5 nia, my MSG 1.0 eh (can be considered niao-ing if used sarcastically)
O
• Obiang
A Singlish term that means "embarrassingly out of fashion"
Eg. Wah lao eh you wear suspenders come consortium night, super obiang sia.
P
• Paiseh
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect which loosely translates to “不好意思”in Chinese. Used when someone is embarrassed.
Eg. Paiseh larh, I forgot to add this to our project website.
• Pon
A shortened version of the Hokkien phrase “pon-tang”, meaning to skip an activity, usually without any valid reason.
Eg. How can you pon CCA when you don't even have a valid excuse?
R
• Ready-oredi
A commonly-used redundancy to indicate a state of readiness.
Eg. "Can we go now? I'm ready oredi."
S
• Saikang
A Singlish term used to describe work done for a person who is supposedly slacking (aka helping someone else do the dirty work).
Eg. Just because he's the organising team head doesn't mean we have to run around and saikang for him right?
• Sia
A Singlish term normally used at the end of a sentence to put emphasis on how unpleased the person is.
Eg. Wahlao you damn what sia. We your brudder, how can you betray us like this?!
• Sian
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect. It means that someone is in a bad mood or feeling unhappy.
Eg. Why are you so sian? Cheer up already!
• Siol
A singlish term to create emphasis. Can be used sarcastically.
Eg. Wah take picture of yourself wearing tank top, so buff siol.
•Shiok
A Singlish term used to express extreme pleasure at something.
Eg. This dessert is so shiok on a hot summer day like this.
•Sotong
A Singlish term originating from the Malay language, it is a term used to label someone who is extremely blur.
Eg. Max is truly one big sotong, he can’t even get things done properly.
T
•Tekan
A malay term used to describe the action of bothering. Usually used to describe the actions of a superior, behind their backs.
Eg. Eeyer, that boss going to tekan more of his workers. Really dunno how they can stand him sia.
U
•Ulu
A malay term used to describe a place that is very inconveniently located. (偏僻)
Eg. Wah lao, his house so ulu, how to find?
V
• Very what one
A Singlish way of implying that something or someone is inexplicably irritating
Eg. You know horh, she act nice to you just because you're new here. To other people, she very what one.
• Vomit Blood
A singlish way of describing a process that was painstakingly carried out, creating great irritation.
Eg. Wah lao I teach my younger brother math until I want to vomit blood larh.
W
• Wahlao
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect used to express shock.
Eg. Wahlao! When did my worksheets get stolen?
• Wa
A hokkien term that is used to refer to oneself.
Eg. Eh, teacher go where ah? Wa mm tzai.
Y
• YOLO
A popular Internet term that has found its way into the everyday language of Singaporean teenagers. Means to be daring in a certain activity
Eg. YOLO lets go ask that girl for her number!
Z
•Zam
Meaning to criticize or find faults with someone on purpose; has the meaning of 在鸡蛋里挑骨头
Similar terms: Thrash, own, pwn
Eg. Wah you zam him in that debate until he damn cam sia!
• anot
A Singlish amalgamation of “a” and “not” in English. Often used in Singlish questions.
Eg. Can you help me pass up this worksheet anot?
B
• Bo/Boh
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect meaning “没有”.
Eg. The Japanese stall bo chicken already you still want buy?
• bochup
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect meaning to wash one’s hands off a certain matter.
Eg. This guy extremely bochup, he doesn’t even care about our group project!
• brudder
A Singlish term meaning “brother”.
Eg. Eh brudder can you don't shout like that?
Eg. Eh brudder, can you pass me the drink?
C
• Cam liao
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect, it literally translates to “惨了”. Often used in scenarios where someone is about to get into trouble.
Eg. Insulting the teacher in that manner? Cham liao lah!
D
• Dao
A Singlish term meaning “ignore”.
Eg. Got so much things to do, feel like daoing, next week then do lah!
• Dunno
A Singaporean way of saying "don't know".
Eg. Eh today got what homework ah? Dunno leh.
E
•Eh
A Singaporean way of trying to get someone's attention. It is not very polite to address people this way, but some people still do this to close friends.
Eg. Eh. You go watch movie, bojio?!
• Eeyer
A Singaporean way of expressing disgust
Eg. Eeyer, how can someone be so unhygenic?
F
• Fly kite
A Singporean way of implying that a person is being unreasonable, telling him to dream on.
Eg. You think we'll help you finish your part of the project, just because you got sore throat? Go fly kite larh.
G
• GG
A popular term on the internet that has become frequently used by Singaporean teenagers. “GG” means “good game” – usually in a sarcastic manner to annoy opposing players on the internet.
It also means that one is not gonna do well for something, or has messed up.
Eg. No one knew how to do the test … our marks GG liao.
H
• Harh
A Singlish term to show confusion.
Eg. Harh!? Are you kidding me?
I
•Idk
A short form for "I don't know"
J
• Jialat
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect, which means to get into trouble.
Eg. If we don't do this assignment by today midnight we jialat lah.
• Jio
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect meaning “叫”. Can also mean to invite people to activities/events.
Eg. If you going somewhere fun during holidays better jio us ok?
K
•Kajiao
A Singlish term just to describe the action of bothering, similar to that of tekan. However, it is less used to describe the action of a superior, and more so of someone who wishes to be an annoyance.
Eg. Eh don't keep kajiaoing him leh. He got cca in an hour and he needs to finish his homework now.
•Kelong
A Singlish term originating from the Malay language, it is usually used to describe match-fixing or biasedness in competitions.
Eg. This referee kelong lah, always awarding free kicks to the opponent!
L
• Lorh/Lor (咯)
A popular complementary word used to end a sentence.
Eg. You see, the project is now in a complete mess, and it’s all your fault lorh!
• Larh/Lah (啦)
A popular complementary word used to end a sentence, based upon the Chinese word “啦”.
Eg. Don't just stand there, come and help us larh.
• Leh
A popular complementary term used to end off a sentence. Very similar to “呢”.
Eg. If you all just slack off like that, then the assignment how leh?
• Liddat
A Singlish amalgamation of the two words “like that”.
Eg. Liddat larh never jio me to USS what kind of friends are you all?
• Limbei
A Hokkien term which loose translates to “your father” in English. Often used in a rude manner to place emphasis on a certain issue.
Eg. Limbei warn you ah, I am your superior.
• Lol
The shortened version of "Laugh out loud". Despite what it actually means, many people use it due to awkwardness in a situation or because of something stupid.
Eg. Eh what to do now ah? Idk lol.
M
• Mm Tzai
A hokkien phrase that means "don't know". Used when one chooses to show indifference.
Eg. Boy, where is your homework? Wa mm tzai.
N
• Na
A Singlish term which serves as a substitute for “here you go” in English. Used when passing things to others
Eg. Na, this is the drink you wanted.
• Niao
A word generally used by Singaporean teens nowadays to represent the act of boasting/bragging (which is usually done unintentionally).
Eg. Get A1 for 9 subjects then come and niao us, so boastful!
• Nia
A term generally used to downplay a person’s achievement. Often used sarcastically to boast.
Eg. 1.5 nia, my MSG 1.0 eh (can be considered niao-ing if used sarcastically)
O
• Obiang
A Singlish term that means "embarrassingly out of fashion"
Eg. Wah lao eh you wear suspenders come consortium night, super obiang sia.
P
• Paiseh
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect which loosely translates to “不好意思”in Chinese. Used when someone is embarrassed.
Eg. Paiseh larh, I forgot to add this to our project website.
• Pon
A shortened version of the Hokkien phrase “pon-tang”, meaning to skip an activity, usually without any valid reason.
Eg. How can you pon CCA when you don't even have a valid excuse?
R
• Ready-oredi
A commonly-used redundancy to indicate a state of readiness.
Eg. "Can we go now? I'm ready oredi."
S
• Saikang
A Singlish term used to describe work done for a person who is supposedly slacking (aka helping someone else do the dirty work).
Eg. Just because he's the organising team head doesn't mean we have to run around and saikang for him right?
• Sia
A Singlish term normally used at the end of a sentence to put emphasis on how unpleased the person is.
Eg. Wahlao you damn what sia. We your brudder, how can you betray us like this?!
• Sian
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect. It means that someone is in a bad mood or feeling unhappy.
Eg. Why are you so sian? Cheer up already!
• Siol
A singlish term to create emphasis. Can be used sarcastically.
Eg. Wah take picture of yourself wearing tank top, so buff siol.
•Shiok
A Singlish term used to express extreme pleasure at something.
Eg. This dessert is so shiok on a hot summer day like this.
•Sotong
A Singlish term originating from the Malay language, it is a term used to label someone who is extremely blur.
Eg. Max is truly one big sotong, he can’t even get things done properly.
T
•Tekan
A malay term used to describe the action of bothering. Usually used to describe the actions of a superior, behind their backs.
Eg. Eeyer, that boss going to tekan more of his workers. Really dunno how they can stand him sia.
U
•Ulu
A malay term used to describe a place that is very inconveniently located. (偏僻)
Eg. Wah lao, his house so ulu, how to find?
V
• Very what one
A Singlish way of implying that something or someone is inexplicably irritating
Eg. You know horh, she act nice to you just because you're new here. To other people, she very what one.
• Vomit Blood
A singlish way of describing a process that was painstakingly carried out, creating great irritation.
Eg. Wah lao I teach my younger brother math until I want to vomit blood larh.
W
• Wahlao
A Singlish term originating from the Hokkien dialect used to express shock.
Eg. Wahlao! When did my worksheets get stolen?
• Wa
A hokkien term that is used to refer to oneself.
Eg. Eh, teacher go where ah? Wa mm tzai.
Y
• YOLO
A popular Internet term that has found its way into the everyday language of Singaporean teenagers. Means to be daring in a certain activity
Eg. YOLO lets go ask that girl for her number!
Z
•Zam
Meaning to criticize or find faults with someone on purpose; has the meaning of 在鸡蛋里挑骨头
Similar terms: Thrash, own, pwn
Eg. Wah you zam him in that debate until he damn cam sia!