Singlish

I have live in Singapore for almost 4 years. Still remember the day when I first reach Singapore, don’t really get what locals said, blur blur lol… But now my friend told me that I speak like Singaporeans. I also don’t know since when I start to speak like Singaporean. For me Singlish is part of Singapore’s culture. For new comers, below are common used words, maybe useful or interested to learn for better understand what is going around you.

◎Act cute : Describe a person exaggerating his actions/speech, or doing something to look cute.

Ex: Wah lau eh! Mihu always try to act cute one! She think she good meh?"

◎Agak Agak : Estimating or estimation. Or to warn someone not to go too far.

Ex: I am not sure what time I will arrive. But agar agar at 10am.

◎Ah Long : Loan sharks

◎All Fart and No Shit : Description of someone who is full of empty promises.
Ex: Ah, shaddup lah. Everyday say you want to treat me go lunch. You all fart and no shit only.

◎Ang Moh : Refer to Caucasian 

◎Auntie : Refer to middle-aged older females

◎Backside Itchy / Itchy Backside : Means looking for unnecessary trouble.

Ex: You know chewing gum is banned in Singapore. Don't be itchy backside to try to bring them in.

◎Bochup / Bo Hiew : Don't give a damn, don’t bother

Ex: My colleague is such a bo chup. He doesn't do any of his work.

◎Bo Jio : When you found out a friend did not invite you to participate in some activity that you like.

Ex: Wah lao, go to my favorite club bo jio.

◎Buay Tahan : Means cannot stand something or someone.

Ex: I cannot tahan your cocky face. 

◎Chin Chai : Means "to be easy going" or "anything"

Ex: Chin Chai lah. Just order anything and I will eat.

◎Chiong / Pia : To rush or to really put in effort in something.

Ex: I am going to pia my sales to meet the target this month.

◎Chop Chop : Do it Fast, don't waste time.

Ex: chop chop finish the work lah.. don't waste time lah

◎Chope : To reserve something.

Ex: You go get your food first. I will chope the table.

◎Confirm! / On! : To agree or to provide confirmation.

Ex: OK on! Let's go clubbing now!

◎Dio / Kenna / Kana : Get or selected for something.

Ex: I didn't hand in my work in school and kana scolded by my teacher.

◎Don't Play Play : Don't look down on or don't fool around.

Ex: Don't play play, you can get hanged for drug trafficking in Singapore.

◎Garang / Fierce : Used to describe a person who has done something spectacular.

Ex: Wah! You went up Everest ah? So Garang! 

◎Gek Sim : To be heart broken or sad.

Ex: My girlfriend just dumped me. Gek sim ah!

  

◎Hao Lian / Yaya / Yaya Papaya : Someone who is cocky or a show-off.

Ex: Don't hao lian lah. You are not the only who has money.

◎Jalan Jalan, Kia Kia, Walk Walk, Gai Gai : To go out to do something for leisure without a specific plan Ex: I went gai gai with my friends today.

◎Kan Cheong : Nervous or excited.

Ex: The exams are coming soon. I am getting a little kan cheong.

◎Kan Cheong Spider : A person who gets ridiculously nervous, and usually screws up.

Ex: That kan cheong spider turn off the fire too early. The chicken is under-cooked.

◎Kay poh : Refers to a person that is nosey parker or busybody.

Ex: Eh, Don't be so kaypoh leh!'.   

◎Kiasi : Refer to someone who is always afraid of getting into trouble, or afraid to take risks

Ex: Just try asking your oss for a raise lah. Don't kiasi lah!

◎Kiasu : It means being afraid to lose out.

Ex: Singaporean parents are kiasu. They send their kids to countless classes outside of school.

◎Kopi Tiam : Coffee Shop

◎Kosong : Empty or zero.

Ex: My bank account kosong already.

◎Macam : Means "as if" or "similar".

Ex: Your hair style macam mop.

◎Makan / Jia Mi Kia / Jia Peng : To have a meal

Ex: Let's go makan at the kopi tiam. 

◎Ninja : To describe someone going away without informing.

Ex: You better tell me before going off. Don't ninja ah!

◎Pai She : Feeling of embarassment or a form of apology or

Ex: Pai seh! I will be late. Please wait for awhile.

◎Peng Prata / Flip Prata : Refer someone backing out their words or try to deny what they have said.

Ex: You already promised to do the job. Don't flip prata now.

◎Ponteng : Skip class, absent

◎Sala : Wrong.

Ex: I don't think what I said was sala.

◎See First / See How : Means to decide later or see how it goes.

Ex: See how lah. I can't confirm the time with you now.

◎Skali : Similar meaning to"what if" or "just in case" .

Ex: You didn't inform him that you are visiting? Skali he not at home.

◎Shiok / Song / Power / Tok Kong : To describe something good or a great feeling.

Ex: The durian very shiok!

◎Sian : Boring or bored.

Ex: There's nothing to do at home. Feel very sian leh.

◎Siam! : A rude way of saying excuse me or simply telling someone to get lost.

Ex: Siam ah! Hot water coming through!

◎Song : Used to express pleasure. 

Ex: After the bath, I feel very song!

◎Steady / Steady Pom Pipi: Someone who did something well

Ex: You got straight A's for your exams. Steady Pom Pi Pi leh!

◎Sedap : Delicious

◎Ta pau : Take away (used only when cooked food is concerned)

Ex: Uncle, one chicken rice, Ta pau.

◎Tahan : Endure

Ex: I can not tahan his attitude anymore.

◎Tolong : Please help

◎Talk Cock : The act of talking nonsense or telling lies.

Ex: You saw a ghost? Don't talk cock lah!

◎Thiam/Diam : A very rude way of saying "shut up!" 

Ex:Oi! Thiam lah! I'm trying to study!"

◎Uncle : Refer to middle-aged older males

◎Your head : Mild curse used to disabuse someone of his or her erroneous assumption. 

Ex: He get first in class? Your head lah!"

◎Yandao :  A handsome male