Coffee with evaporated milk and sugar.
by Singlish Dictionary · 31 October 2026
Definitions by Singlish Dictionary
200 words so far.
Black coffee with sugar, no milk. Add "kosong" for no sugar too.
by Singlish Dictionary · 31 October 2026
Too much; past what's reasonable. Also: out of line, a joke or move that goes too far. Usually said as "that one over", "over already" or "damn over".
Order 12 plates of char kway teow for three people? That one over.
by Singlish Dictionary · 31 October 2026
/wah·low/
Another spelling of wah lau: disbelief, frustration or awe.
Walao, so expensive!
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/eye steady my/
Want to be a couple or not? "Steady" as in going steady, asked half-joking. Texted as ASM.
We date so long already, ai steady mai?
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
You wouldn't understand. Ends the argument. Texted as YDKL.
Why I queue two hours for this? You don't know lah.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
Have you heard? How every piece of gossip starts. Texted as EYKA.
Eh you know ah, boss resigning.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
That's just how it is. A shrug at something you can't change. Texted as ILTOL.
Why the aircon so cold? It's like that one lor.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/eye·yah relax lah/
Calm down, it's nothing. Said to someone getting worked up. Texted as ARL.
Aiya relax lah, the bus will come one.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
What are you looking at? The English-Singlish version of kua simi kua.
Eh, stare what stare?
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/kwah see·mee kwah/
What are you looking at? Hokkien for "look at what", fired back at someone staring. Texted as KSK.
Kua simi kua? Never see before ah?
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/wah·lahn eh/
Oh my god. Pure disbelief, a notch softer than wah lau.
Walan eh, the queue still so long?
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/kuh·nah/from Malay
1. Got caught, usually by the police or a teacher. 2. Said about food (or anything shiok): so good it's crazy.
Speeding sia, confirm kena. / This mala kena, damn good.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from English
When something too weird to explain happens.
Saw a man walking a chicken on a leash at the MRT. Only in Yishun.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from English
The polite reply when they don't know where Singapore is. Said calmly. Then said again.
“So which part of China?” “Senator, I'm Singaporean.”
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from English
Proof in writing. No black and white, never happen.
You say you'll pay me back? Got black and white or not?
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/mee syam my hum/from Mixed
Asking to remove something that was never there.
He order 'teh without milk' and wonder why it's black. Mee siam mai hum sia.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from English
Take this seriously. No anyhow-anyhow.
Exam tomorrow, don't play play ah.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/bopez/from Hokkien
No choice lah. The cuter way to say bo pian.
Rain again, cannot go beach. Bopez.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from Mixed
Grabbing it before anyone else can. Usually the last chicken wing.
Last bubble tea gone already, she fast hand fast leg.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/pon/from Malay
Short for ponteng: to skip class, school or work.
Tomorrow first lesson pon, meet at the canteen.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from English
Speak for yourself. The weakest comeback, used every day anyway.
"You so lazy." "You then."
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/kyoo·kyoo/from Mixed
Springy, chewy, perfect. Mostly noodles and boba.
The noodles here damn QQ.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from Mixed
Said right before spreading gossip, so it's not your fault.
Not I say one ah, but I heard they broke up.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/ling·ling long·long/from Mixed
All the keychains jingling off your bag. I can hear you coming.
Your bag so many ling ling long long, I hear you coming from the void deck.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from English
Let's finish this quickly so we can all go home.
Last item on the agenda, fast game ah.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from English
Broke till payday, so it's the cheapest thing on the menu.
Spent everything on concert tickets, this week eat grass already.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from English
To check twice, because once is never enough.
You double confirm the booking or not? Later reach there no table.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from HokkienNSFW
A very vulgar Hokkien insult (literally a crude word for female genitals). Used as a curse or to insult someone. Highly offensive.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/rabz/from Malay
Short for rabak: wild, out of control, messed up.
The chalet damn rabz last night.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/bway pie·seh/from Hokkien
Shameless; no sense of embarrassment at all.
Cut queue still can smile, buay paiseh.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/roo·gee/from Malay
To lose out; a bad deal where you end up worse off.
Pay ten dollars for this? Rugi sia.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/low·jyow/from Hokkien
An old hand; someone who's been around long enough to know all the tricks.
Ask the lao jiao, he know how to settle.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from English
To pretend you don't know, so you don't have to do anything.
Ask him who broke the printer, he act blur.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from Hokkien
Slacking off at work while looking busy.
Boss not around, everybody eat snake.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/kyam·syap/from Hokkien
Stingy; won't spend one cent more than needed.
He so kiam siap, even the tissue also count.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/boh·pyen/from Hokkien
No choice; nothing can be done about it.
Last train gone already, bo pian, take Grab lor.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/see·beh/from Hokkien
Very, extremely. Goes in front of anything to make it more.
This queue sibeh long.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/syah·swai/from Hokkien
Embarrassing. A disgrace to the whole group chat. Also spelt xia suey.
Fell down in front of everyone, so sia suay.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/rah·bak/from Malay
Wild, out of control, messed up. A party that got out of hand, a car after an accident, your hair after the rain.
Last night's party damn rabak.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
/fah·lengs/
A girl who's fine and knows it. A baddie.
Eh, see that falengs at the bar.
by Singlish Dictionary · 30 October 2026
from CantoneseNSFW
Vulgar Cantonese: "f*** you".
Diu lei, who ate my last curry puff?
by Singlish Dictionary · 28 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from CantoneseNSFW
Vulgar Cantonese insult: idiot.
Which sohai left the fridge door open?
by Singlish Dictionary · 28 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from HokkienNSFW
Vulgar: to be screwed; also an exclamation of despair. Also spelt "hong gan".
Hong kan liao, the deadline is today, not tomorrow.
by Singlish Dictionary · 28 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from mixedNSFW
Vulgar exclamation of anger or frustration. Also spelt "kena sai".
Kanasai, rain right after I washed the car.
by Singlish Dictionary · 28 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from HokkienNSFW
Vulgar word for penis; also an angry exclamation. Also spelt "lan jiao".
Lanjiao, my phone screen crack again.
by Singlish Dictionary · 28 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from HokkienNSFW
Strong vulgar insult (refers to female genitals); a contemptible person. Also spelt "chee bai", "cheebye"; often typed "CB".
CB, the car cut into my lane without signalling.
by Singlish Dictionary · 28 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from HokkienNSFW
Strong Hokkien swear word, roughly "f***". Usually typed as "KNN" or "knn".
KNN, who park in my lot again?
by Singlish Dictionary · 28 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
NSFW
Slang for having sex.
Their neighbours complain the walls very thin. Piak piak every night.
by Singlish Dictionary · 28 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from HokkienNSFW
To pee. Crude.
Stop at the petrol kiosk, I need to pang jio.
by Singlish Dictionary · 28 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from HokkienNSFW
To poo. Crude.
Wait ah, I go pang sai first.
by Singlish Dictionary · 27 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from HokkienNSFW
Shit.
This traffic jam really sai.
by Singlish Dictionary · 27 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/see·beh/from HokkienNSFW
Very; extremely. Mildly vulgar. Also spelt "sibei".
Today sibeh hot.
by Singlish Dictionary · 27 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/pag·roh/from English
Passive-aggressive.
"Per my last email"? So paggro.
by Singlish Dictionary · 27 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/gah·men/from English
A colloquial spelling of "government", usually with a bit of a dig.
Haze again, wait for gahmen announcement lor.
by Singlish Dictionary · 27 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/bah·loo·koo/
A big bump on the head. Also spelt "balukoo".
Knocked my head on the cabinet, now got baluku.
by Singlish Dictionary · 27 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/pee·sye/from Hokkien
A booger.
Don't dig pi sai in public!
by Singlish Dictionary · 27 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/shee·shee/from Cantonese
To pee (said to young children).
Want to shee shee before we go?
by Singlish Dictionary · 27 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/low·sye/from Hokkien
Diarrhoea; or to have it.
Ate the expired yogurt, now lao sai.
by Singlish Dictionary · 27 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To poo; a polite euphemism, often heard at the doctor's.
Doctor asked if I pass motion today.
by Singlish Dictionary · 27 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/chow·chow/from Mandarin
A childhood comfort item, like a beloved pillow or blanket.
Can't sleep without his chou chou, even at 25.
by Singlish Dictionary · 26 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
A book of past national exam papers, used for drilling.
Finished the whole ten-year series and still blur.
by Singlish Dictionary · 26 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/oh·ar·dee/from English
The day a national serviceman finishes full-time NS; also to finish it.
Three more months to ORD, then freedom!
by Singlish Dictionary · 26 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/sah·mahn/from Malay
A fine, like a parking ticket.
Kena saman again for parking along double yellow.
by Singlish Dictionary · 26 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
In the past; formerly (not "the previous occasion").
Last time got kampung here, now all condo.
by Singlish Dictionary · 26 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
A flip-flop.
Go hawker centre just wear slipper can already.
by Singlish Dictionary · 26 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/long·kahng/from Malay
A drain or ditch.
My slipper dropped into the longkang.
by Singlish Dictionary · 26 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kah·rahng goo·nee/from Malay
A rag-and-bone collector who buys old newspapers and junk. Also spelt "karung guni".
Keep the old newspapers for the karang guni.
by Singlish Dictionary · 26 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/mah·mah shop/from mixed
A small, family-run corner shop, often at a void deck.
Go mama shop buy ice cream.
by Singlish Dictionary · 26 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
An open-air complex of cheap food stalls.
Hawker centre dinner again? Of course.
by Singlish Dictionary · 26 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
The open ground floor of an HDB block, used for gatherings, weddings, funerals and chess.
Meet you at the void deck after dinner.
by Singlish Dictionary · 25 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
A small bribe or tip. Also "kopi money".
He tried to give the inspector coffee money. Don't play-play.
by Singlish Dictionary · 25 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/meh·gee mee/from mixed
Any instant noodles, whatever the brand.
Exam week, Maggi mee every night.
by Singlish Dictionary · 25 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/prah·tah/from Tamil
Crispy fried flatbread; as slang, to flip-flop on a decision.
by Singlish Dictionary · 25 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/zee·char/from Hokkien
Affordable home-style Chinese dishes cooked to order. Also spelt "tze char" or "zhi char".
Dinner zi char? Must order the cereal prawns.
by Singlish Dictionary · 25 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/chye·pung/from Hokkien
Economy rice: rice with your pick of dishes from the counter.
Cai png two veg one meat, how much ah?
by Singlish Dictionary · 25 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/gow/from Hokkien
Strong (for coffee or tea); or strongly flavoured. Also spelt "kau" or "gao".
Kopi gau, I need to stay awake.
by Singlish Dictionary · 25 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/peng/from Hokkien
Iced (for drinks).
by Singlish Dictionary · 25 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/syoo·dye/from Cantonese
Less sweet (for drinks).
Kopi siew dai, thanks.
by Singlish Dictionary · 25 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/koh·song/from Malay
Plain; with nothing added, such as no sugar or no milk.
Teh O kosong, thanks.
by Singlish Dictionary · 25 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/koh·pee·tyam/from mixed
A traditional coffee shop with many food stalls.
Meet at the kopitiam downstairs.
by Singlish Dictionary · 24 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/koh·pee/from Malay
Local-style coffee, made the traditional way.
by Singlish Dictionary · 24 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from mixed
Younger people seen as bruising easily, like strawberries, under hard work and pressure.
Ten minutes of OT and they quit? Strawberry generation.
by Singlish Dictionary · 24 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kah·lee·fair/from Cantonese
An extra in a film or show; a bit-part actor.
My cousin was a calefare in that drama, only appeared for two seconds.
by Singlish Dictionary · 24 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
The third wheel on a couple's date.
Don't want to be lightbulb, you two go.
by Singlish Dictionary · 24 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/chur/from English
Teacher.
'Cher, can go toilet?
by Singlish Dictionary · 24 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kah·kee/from Malay
A buddy; or a group of friends who share a hobby ("mahjong kaki").
He's my kopi kaki every Sunday.
by Singlish Dictionary · 24 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/sin·seh/from Hokkien
A traditional Chinese physician.
My back pain, go see sinseh for acupuncture.
by Singlish Dictionary · 24 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/tye·tye/from Mandarin
A wealthy woman who lives a life of leisure.
Retire early then be tai tai, every day high tea.
by Singlish Dictionary · 24 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/tow·kay/from Hokkien
A business owner; the boss.
Ask the towkay for discount lah.
by Singlish Dictionary · 24 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/zah·boh/from Hokkien
A girl or woman.
Your zha bo coming to the BBQ?
by Singlish Dictionary · 23 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
A parking warden who goes round handing out parking fines.
Quick, move the car, summon auntie coming!
by Singlish Dictionary · 23 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
A (male) taxi driver.
The taxi uncle knows every shortcut in Singapore.
by Singlish Dictionary · 23 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kor·kor/from mixed
Big brother; also what kids call an older boy or young man.
Kor kor, can teach me this game?
by Singlish Dictionary · 23 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/jyeh·jyeh/from Mandarin
Big sister; also what kids call an older girl or young woman.
Jie jie, can help me reach the top shelf?
by Singlish Dictionary · 23 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/oh·pee/from English
"Owe money, pay money": the loan sharks' warning, often spray-painted on a debtor's door.
Wake up and see O$P$ on the neighbour's door.
by Singlish Dictionary · 23 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/ah·long/from Cantonese
A loan shark.
Never borrow from Ah Long, later they paint your door.
by Singlish Dictionary · 23 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/ah·kong/from Hokkien
Grandfather; also slang for the government.
Ah Kong say must save water.
by Singlish Dictionary · 23 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/ah·soh/from Hokkien
A sister-in-law; also a middle-aged woman.
The Ah Soh next door gave us kueh.
by Singlish Dictionary · 23 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/ah·chek/from Hokkien
Uncle; a middle-aged man.
Ask the Ah Chek at the counter.
by Singlish Dictionary · 22 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/ah·pek/from Hokkien
An old man; also your father's elder brother.
The Ah Pek at the void deck plays chess every morning.
by Singlish Dictionary · 22 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
Any older man, used politely, whether or not you're related.
by Singlish Dictionary · 22 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
Said in exasperation, like "oh come on".
Help lah, I said no onions!
by Singlish Dictionary · 22 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
A cleaned-up "what the f***".
What the fish, the bus fare went up again?
by Singlish Dictionary · 22 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from mixed
So funny I could die laughing.
Your dog wearing sunglasses, laugh die me.
by Singlish Dictionary · 22 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from mixed
"How would I know?"
Why the bus never come? You ask me, I ask who?
by Singlish Dictionary · 22 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from mixed
Rude "yeah right" or "my foot".
Working after school hours part of 'service'? Your head lah.
by Singlish Dictionary · 22 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
Sarcastic "what do you think this is?", in reply to an unrealistic idea.
Can book a whole ballroom anot? You think what? Got all the money in the world ah?
by Singlish Dictionary · 22 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/win lyow lor/from mixed
A grudging "OK, you win" at the end of an argument.
Fine, you're right about the MRT timing. Win liao lor.
by Singlish Dictionary · 22 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
At your own pace, no rush. Often shortened to "OTOT".
Do the slides own time own target, deadline next week.
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/onz/from English
"It's on!": agreed, joining in, happening.
Supper tonight? Onz!
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/loh·bahng/from Malay
A good deal, tip or opportunity.
Got lobang for cheap concert tickets?
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/tye·jee/from Hokkien
Your own business or problem, usually said dismissively ("not my tai ji"). Also spelt "dai ji".
Not my tai ji.
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
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)
from English
"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)
/kah·chahng poo·teh/from Malay
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)
from English
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)
/chah·pah·lahng/from Cantonese
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)
/lup·sup/from Cantonese
Messy, dirty or sleazy.
His room very lup sup, cannot step inside.
by Singlish Dictionary · 21 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kyam·chye/from Hokkien
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)
/low·hong/from Hokkien
(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)
/hyam/from Hokkien
Spicy.
The sambal very hiam, drink water first.
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/juh·lak/from Malay
(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)
/chow·tah/from Hokkien
Burnt; charred. Also spelt "chao tah" or "chow tar".
Toast chao ta already, still want?
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/tur·bah·lik/from Malay
Upside down; inside out. Also "tombalik".
Your shirt terbalik leh.
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/suh·nget/from Malay
Crooked, tilted; or dishevelled.
The photo frame senget.
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/sah·lah/from Malay
Wrong; incorrect.
Salah already, the bus stop is on the other side.
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/mah·fahn/from Mandarin
Troublesome; a lot of hassle. Also spelt "mafan".
Must fill up three forms? So ma fan.
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/luh·cheh/from Malay
Troublesome; a hassle. Also spelt "lecheh" or "leh chey".
Renewing the passport so leceh.
by Singlish Dictionary · 20 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/soo·sah/from Malay
Difficult.
Finding parking at Orchard on Saturday very susah.
by Singlish Dictionary · 19 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/suh·nahng/from Malay
Easy.
This exam senang only.
by Singlish Dictionary · 19 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/hor·ree·jee·bul/from English
Awful. A mash-up of "horrible" and "incorrigible".
The traffic on the PIE today horrigible.
by Singlish Dictionary · 19 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/low·yah/from Hokkien
Lousy; useless. Also spelt "lau yah".
This laoya printer jam again.
by Singlish Dictionary · 19 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
Shoddy and half-hearted; incompetent.
This renovation work very half-past-six.
by Singlish Dictionary · 19 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/koh·yak/from Malay
Torn, spoilt, broken.
My umbrella koyak already.
by Singlish Dictionary · 19 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/rah·bak/from Malay
Out of control, messed up; or (of a person) in a sorry state.
Last night's party damn rabak.
by Singlish Dictionary · 19 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kee·lat/from Malay
Top-notch; outstanding. Originally army slang for well-polished boots.
Your boots so kilat, can see your face.
by Singlish Dictionary · 19 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/swee·swee/from Hokkien
Perfect; neat and tidy.
Make sure the report swee swee before you send to boss.
by Singlish Dictionary · 19 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/swee/from Hokkien
Excellent, smooth, nice; also neat or good-looking.
Swee! Got parking right in front.
by Singlish Dictionary · 19 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/zhoon/from Hokkien
Accurate; spot-on.
Your weather app quite zhun leh.
by Singlish Dictionary · 18 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
Unexciting; or (of food) bland.
This chilli no kick at all.
by Singlish Dictionary · 18 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/boh·lyow/from Hokkien
Boring; dull.
So bo liao, I counted all the tiles in the toilet.
by Singlish Dictionary · 18 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/oo·loo/from Malay
Remote; out of the way.
Your new office so ulu, even the Grab driver got lost.
by Singlish Dictionary · 18 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/syong/from Hokkien
Very tough; demanding. Also spelt "xiong".
Week one of BMT damn siong.
by Singlish Dictionary · 18 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/cheem/from Hokkien
Deep; complicated; hard to understand.
This movie too cheem for me, I slept halfway.
by Singlish Dictionary · 18 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/hor·lahn/from mixed
To get lost and end up far off course ("go Holland"). Also "go hor lan" or "go Holland".
Follow his directions, sure hor lan.
by Singlish Dictionary · 18 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/my·too·lyow/from Hokkien
Don't hesitate; go for it now.
The sale ending tonight, mai tu liao!
by Singlish Dictionary · 18 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To overachieve so much that everyone else looks bad. Also "spoil the market".
Who submitted the report one week early? Spoil market.
by Singlish Dictionary · 18 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To deliberately overlook a mistake.
Parked one minute only, the auntie close one eye.
by Singlish Dictionary · 18 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/pong·pong/
To shower or bathe (said to young children).
Come, pong pong time, then sleep.
by Singlish Dictionary · 17 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/guy·guy/from Cantonese
To go out for a walk (often said to kids).
Wear shoes, we go gai gai.
by Singlish Dictionary · 17 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/jah·lahn jah·lahn/from Malay
To go for a stroll; to wander around.
Sunday no plans, just jalan jalan at the mall.
by Singlish Dictionary · 17 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kuh·buh·lah·kahng poo·sing/from Malay
An about-turn; to turn round and go back, or to run from trouble.
Saw the queue at the clinic, straight away ke belakang pusing.
by Singlish Dictionary · 17 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/hen·tak kah·kee/from Malay
To march on the spot; also to be stuck in the same job with no promotion.
Ten years same position, hentak kaki only.
by Singlish Dictionary · 17 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/suh·moo·lah/from Malay
Do it again from the start (from an NS drill command).
Your formation not straight. Semula!
by Singlish Dictionary · 17 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To cram; to study as hard as possible in a short time.
Exams next week, every night mug until 3am.
by Singlish Dictionary · 17 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To photocopy.
Help me zap ten copies of the notes.
by Singlish Dictionary · 17 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To switch on. ("Off" works the same way.)
Can you on the light?
by Singlish Dictionary · 17 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To live somewhere.
Where do you stay? Jurong or Punggol?
by Singlish Dictionary · 17 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To put something away or back where it belongs.
Please keep these books.
by Singlish Dictionary · 16 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To lend ("borrow me" means "lend me").
Can borrow me your pen?
by Singlish Dictionary · 16 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To give someone a lift.
Late already, I send you home.
by Singlish Dictionary · 16 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/sar·pork/from English
To support or cheer on someone. A playful spelling of "support".
Your bakery open already? Sure come sarpork!
by Singlish Dictionary · 16 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/soom·pah/from Malay
To swear that something is true.
I don't know anything about this scandal, sumpah.
by Singlish Dictionary · 16 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To hit on someone; to try to win them over.
He's been tackling her since orientation camp.
by Singlish Dictionary · 16 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/pak·tor/from Cantonese
To go on a date; to be dating.
Those two paktor already, you never know meh?
by Singlish Dictionary · 16 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from mixed
To mess around; to not take things seriously.
This one the real exam, don't play-play.
by Singlish Dictionary · 16 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kow·peh kow·boo/from Hokkien
To whine and complain loudly about everything. Usually shortened to "KPKB".
Wait one hour for food also he kao peh kao bu.
by Singlish Dictionary · 16 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To get angry or show attitude.
Do not show colour to me!
by Singlish Dictionary · 16 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/wah·yahng/from Malay
An act put on for show; pretending. (Originally a traditional theatre performance.)
He only works hard when the boss walks past. All wayang.
by Singlish Dictionary · 15 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To lie or deceive; to put on an act.
Don't bluff me, I saw your IG story.
by Singlish Dictionary · 15 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from mixedNSFW
To talk nonsense; or just to chit-chat. Mildly vulgar.
Don't talk cock lah, where got free iPhone.
by Singlish Dictionary · 15 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
A habit of making a fuss or causing trouble ("so many pattern").
Why you so many pattern? Just eat lah.
by Singlish Dictionary · 15 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/choot pat·tern/from mixed
To make a fuss or act up; to cause trouble.
Every time eat out, he chut pattern about the aircon.
by Singlish Dictionary · 15 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/zhng/from Hokkien
To modify or soup up a car or gadget; to decorate. Also spelt "zeng".
He spent his whole bonus to zhng his bicycle.
by Singlish Dictionary · 15 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/goh·stun/from mixed
To reverse a vehicle; to go backwards.
Gostan a bit, you're blocking the gantry.
by Singlish Dictionary · 15 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/boo·ahng/from Malay
To throw away.
This old fan spoil already, buang lah.
by Singlish Dictionary · 15 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kyap/from Hokkien
A clip or clamp; or to pinch or squeeze something between two things.
My finger kena kiap by the door.
by Singlish Dictionary · 15 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/tom·pahng/from Malay
To hitch a ride, or to get someone to carry or buy something for you.
Can I tompang your car to Tampines?
by Singlish Dictionary · 15 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/buh·lahn·jah/from Malay
To treat someone; to pay for them.
Today my birthday, I belanja.
by Singlish Dictionary · 14 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/jah·gah/from Malay
To keep watch; also a guard or watchman.
You jaga the bags, I go buy drinks.
by Singlish Dictionary · 14 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kah·chow/from Malay
To disturb; to bother. Also spelt "kachiao" or "kajiao".
Don't kacau me, I'm doing my homework.
by Singlish Dictionary · 14 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/tuh·kahn/from Malay
To bully or treat harshly; to punish, especially in NS.
The sergeant tekan us the whole week.
by Singlish Dictionary · 14 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/tyo/from Hokkien
To get or be hit by something; to win (a lottery or game of chance); also "that's right".
He tio 4D last week, now belanja everyone.
by Singlish Dictionary · 14 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/kuh·nah/from Malay
To get hit with something bad, like a fine or a scolding; also marks the passive ("get ...-ed").
I kena saman for parking at the yellow line.
by Singlish Dictionary · 14 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/tye·chee/from Mandarin
To push a task or responsibility onto someone else.
Every project he tai chi to the intern.
by Singlish Dictionary · 14 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To pick someone for a task, usually an unpleasant one.
I kena arrow to organise the D&D.
by Singlish Dictionary · 14 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/pah·kut/from Malay
To conspire; to gang up.
The whole office pakat to surprise her on her birthday.
by Singlish Dictionary · 14 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/bow·toh/from Hokkien
To tell on someone behind their back.
Who bao toh to the teacher that I copied homework?
by Singlish Dictionary · 14 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/sah·boh/from English
To sabotage someone, get them into trouble, or prank them.
Who sabo me, put my name for the 6am duty?
by Singlish Dictionary · 13 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/pahng·seh/from Hokkien
To stand someone up; to bail at the last minute.
Said 7pm, then pang seh me at 6.55.
by Singlish Dictionary · 13 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/pon·teng/from Malay
To skip school or work; to play truant. Also shortened to "pon".
He ponteng PE to play mobile games.
by Singlish Dictionary · 13 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/keng/from Hokkien
Short for "chao keng": to fake being sick to dodge work. Also spelt "geng".
Don't keng lah, I saw you play basketball yesterday.
by Singlish Dictionary · 13 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/chow·keng/from Hokkien
To skive off duties (especially in NS) by faking sickness.
Every route march sure his leg pain, confirm chao keng.
by Singlish Dictionary · 13 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
Standing around watching while others do the work.
Everyone carrying chairs, he just eye power.
by Singlish Dictionary · 13 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To not understand at all.
Lecturer explained for one hour, I catch no ball.
by Singlish Dictionary · 13 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/tee·kahm tee·kahm/from Malay
To pick at random; random. Also an old-school lucky-draw game.
Don't know the answer, just tikam tikam.
by Singlish Dictionary · 13 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
/ah·gak ah·gak/from Malay
To estimate or eyeball it; done by guesswork. Also "agaration" (an estimate).
How much salt? Agak agak can already.
by Singlish Dictionary · 13 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
To do something hastily or at random, with no plan.
Didn't study, so the exam I just anyhow whack.
by Singlish Dictionary · 12 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)
from English
Randomly, carelessly, without thinking; or careless. Also "anyhowly".
Don't anyhow press the button.
by Singlish Dictionary · 12 October 2026 · adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA)