How things actually get done, as opposed to "by right" (how they should be done).
By right, we're supposed to lock the room every night. By left, we only do it every Friday since no-one bothers to check.
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
"As if!": that's very unlikely.
He says he'll wake up at 6am to jog. Like real.
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
Assorted nuts and snacks sold in paper cones; also (rarely) something super easy.
This quiz kacang puteh lah.
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
A trivial or easy task; a piece of cake. Sometimes heard as "chicken feet".
This assignment chicken feed only.
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
A random mix of things; assorted odds and ends. Also spelt "japalang".
The storeroom full of chapalang things.
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
Messy, dirty or sleazy.
His room very lup sup, cannot step inside.
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
Salted vegetables; also anything badly crumpled.
Your shirt like kiam chye, go iron.
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
(Of biscuits or chips) gone stale and soft from being left open.
Close the biscuit tin, later lao hong.
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
Spicy.
The sambal very hiam, drink water first.
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
(Of food) so rich or heavy that you get sick of it.
Third durian already, jelak.
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
