Singlish is a real head scratcher. Whether you’re in Singapore for a holiday or are moving there for a job, this seemingly mumble jumble of sounds locals call a language is probably going to confuse you.

If you’re still clueless at this point, Singlish is the local lingo in Singapore. It’s a fabulous concoction of English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Malay and Tamil, and a true reflection of Singapore’s multicultural society.

You might hate it or love it, but you’re going to have to understand it when you’re in Singapore. We’ve gotten tips from our Singaporean team and gathered some of the most commonly used Singlish words and phrases, and how to use them:

What it means: Singaporeans like to add these words as a suffix to their sentence as a way to add emphasis. They can be used interchangeably, and really do not translate to English (we’ve thought hard about this!).

How to use it:

Question: "Hi, excuse me, how do I get to Orchard Road?

Answer: Just turn left here and walk straight. Not that difficult lah, just follow the signs.

What it means: Oh my gosh! While it doesn’t literally translate to “Oh my gosh!”, it’s used more of an expression of shock. You can use either expression as they both have the same meaning.

How to use it:

Person 1: I had to rush to the airport, so I booked an Uber even though it had a surge pricing of 2.0x. It came up to S$70 when I finally reached my destination.

Person 2: Wah lau! So expensive!

What it means: Crazy/Insane

This is usually used as a sarcastic reply when someone proclaims they’re going to attempt an impossible task or does something stupid.

How to use it:

Person 1: Last night, I was so hungry that I ate three bowls of rice and a McDonald’s meal.

Person 2: You siao ah?

What it means: Reserve. Commonly used in a setting such as an eatery, chope is also the action of placing tissue packets on tables in hawker centers as an informal reservation. So if you see these on the table, don't sit down.

How to use it:

Person 1: Have you got a table in Maxwell Food Center?

Person 2: I’ve choped (past tense) the table with my tissue packet, so we can order our food now.

(Yes, slangs incorporate tenses too!)

What it means: Eat. This Malay word, which means eat, is also used very commonly in Singlish.

How to use it:

Person 1: Have you makan yet?

Person 2: No, I was waiting for you so we can have lunch together.

What it means: Affected by or got hit by. This word has a negative connotation, and is usually used when one is complaining about something that happened to them.

How to use it:

Person 1: How was your trip?

Person 2: I didn’t see much. On my first day there, I kena the flu.

Translation: Afraid to lose out. Basically Singapore's version of FOMO, this word is not used exclusively in competition-type settings, but in every context imaginable, whether it’s queueing to enter the train (the MRT) or getting to a destination on time. Singaporeans do consider themselves (and others think we are, too) to be a kiasu bunch.

How to use it:

Person 1: Our coach departs at 9:00 a.m,, so I suggest that we should leave the house at 6:00 a.m.

Person 2: 6:00 a.m.! The coach is 15 minutes away! Don’t be so kiasu lah!

What it means: Characteristic of a person who is confused or slow to catch on. Blur is one of the Singlish words that have more than one meaning. It can also be used in phrases, such as “act blur” and “blur like sotong”.

How to use it:

Person 1: Is Marina Bay Sands a hotel or a casino?

Person 2: Wah lau, why you so blur? It’s a hotel and casino! Everyone also knows lah.

What it means: Delightful. Used typically to describe dishes, this Malay slang word can also be used to describe one’s feelings of excitement, or of anything that pleases them.

How to use it:

Person 1: Have you tried Katong laksa?

Person 2: Yeah, it was so shiok!

What it means: Bored, or fed up. Here’s another word that has two meanings, and really comes in handy for situations where you’re really bored and fed up—like when you’re waiting for your flight that has been delayed.

How to use it:

Person 1: The queue for the taxi is so long! So sian!

Person 2: Why don’t we take the bus?

Person 1: Yes, please!

What it means: Describing Westerners, who typically have fairer complexion While there are many ethnicities in the Western word, angmoh generally covers any fairer skinned individuals, and is generally not meant to be offensive.

How to use it:

Person 1: Oh my gosh, did you see that angmoh? He’s so handsome!

Person 2: Which one?

What it means: Steady, pro, amazing, great. The word “zai” in Singapore slang usually refers to a compliment when someone did a good job or is a pro at something. In Hokkien, “zai” can also mean steady, experienced, reliable, or trustworthy. Thus, Singaporeans always use this word to describe someone being experienced or doing great work.

How to use it:

Person 1: Nicky is really zai! He plays football like a pro player.

What it means: to pack or take away food. Da bao is a word from Cantonese that means to pack, However, this word is used by Singaporeans when someone wants to take away their food or any order to another location. The word “dabao” is often used as a plan or decision.

How to use it:

Person 1: There is only 15 minutes left before the exam. Should we eat now or later?

Person 2: We don’t have enough time. Let’s just dabao and eat it after the exam.

What it means: Not invited

Another Hokkien word is “boijo”. This word is used as a joke during a conversation. “Boijo” literally translates to “not invited”. The word “bo” means no, meanwhile “jio” means invite. When used in a conversation, “boijo” is usually used when you’re not invited somewhere like to a party, event, or gathering and you’re feeling disappointed about it.

How to use it:
Person 1: You guys coming to a party without me? Bojio.

What it means: Oh my gosh!

“Alamak” (ah-lah-mak) is basically like showing that you’re surprised or amazed. It has the same meaning as “wah lau” or “wah piang”.

How to use it:
Person 1: Alamak! I left my phone at home because I woke up late this morning.

Planning a trip to Singapore? Get ready to experience local culture, complete with its unique linguistic flavor—Singlish! This fascinating blend of English and various Asian languages is a key part of the Singaporean experience. Knowing these 15 essential Singaporean slang words will not only help you navigate the city but also bring you closer to the heart of local culture. Whether youre chatting with locals over a plate of chili crab or shopping in lively markets, these expressions will enhance your adventure and help you connect more deeply with the people you meet.

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