/jyah·lat/from Hokkien
Terrible, dire; in serious trouble. Also spelt "chialat".
Jialat, the server down on launch day.
by Singlish Dictionary · 6 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/swai/from Hokkien
Unlucky.
So suay, every time I wash car sure rain.
by Singlish Dictionary · 6 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/heng/from Hokkien
Lucky.
Heng ah, the last train still haven't leave.
by Singlish Dictionary · 5 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
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from mixed
To be pushed to extreme stress or frustration.
Debugging this code until I vomit blood.
by Singlish Dictionary · 5 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/pek·chek/from Hokkien
Frustrated, fed up; or frustrating.
The printer jam again, so pek chek.
by Singlish Dictionary · 5 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/tah·hahn/from Malay
To endure; to bear.
Can tahan or not? Still got 10 more stops.
by Singlish Dictionary · 5 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To tolerate something; or to willingly take on a burden.
Don't worry, the extra work I tank for you.
by Singlish Dictionary · 5 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/bway·tank/from mixed
Unable to handle a situation or a person much longer.
Third OT this week, I buay tank already.
by Singlish Dictionary · 5 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/bway tah·hahn/from mixed
Can't stand it any longer.
This heat ah, I really buay tahan.
by Singlish Dictionary · 5 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/bway·song/from Hokkien
Unhappy, annoyed, displeased.
He buay song because you took his seat.
by Singlish Dictionary · 5 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)