Singlish Words or Phrases!
Singapore's colourful mix of races and languages has resulted
in the creation of a local language, a patois of local terms. Even
the best educated Singaporeans, of every race, use many of these
terms when they want to add extra emphasis or colour to their language!
Accuse me: excuse me
Anything can: anything is possible
Ang moh: Caucasian (literally 'red headed'
in Hokkien)
Auntie: a respectful way to address an
older lady
Barang Barang: stuff as in bags, clutter
etc
Blur: very confused
Bo eng lah!: can't commit, not available,
no time to do something
Can ah: can you or can't you?
Can leh: yes, of course
Can lor: yes, I think so
Can hah?: are you sure?
Can hor: you are sure then
Can meh: are you certain?
Die die: no matter what happens
Don't play play: don't fool
around
Goondu: stupid or acting stupid
Habis: finished or all used
How can: how is that possible?
Kaypoh: nosey
Kiasu: very afraid to lose out to others
Kopi: coffee
Kopi tiam: coffee shop
Lah: no translation, Lah is added for
emphasis
Lose face: become very embarrassed, lose
dignity
Makan: food or as a verb to 'go
makan' to go to eat
No nid: no need
No stock orready: not in stock as in
habis
Orready already
Orso can: no problem
Out station: overseas or away from home
Over orready: none left or the event
is finished
Rojak: an Indonesian Malaysian dish but
used as a common word for mixture
Singlish: Singaporean English slang
So how?: and the answer is?, what is
next
Teh tarik: tea
Tumpang: ask for a favour
Ulu: distant or far away (English equivalent
to in the boonies)
Uncle: a respectful way to address an
older man
Wah: wow, another emphasis term or word
Wah so cheap lah: wow, that's really
cheap
Why Like That: why things happen this
way
You know I know can already: usually
meant to be a secret between 2 person
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