Singaporean Mandarin Database

This database contains a collection of Mandarin terms which have cultural, historical or sentimental value unique to Singapore. These terms may be used by Singaporeans in the past or at present. Some of the terms are read in print while others are used in our everyday conversations.

shè qún/tuán tǐ
Communities/Organisations
全国工资理事会
quán guó gōng zī lǐ shì huì
National Wages Council
全国职工总会
quán guó zhí gōng zǒng huì
National Trades Union Congress(NTUC)
人民协会
rén mín xié huì
People's Association (PA)
善信
shàn xìn
devotees of a religion
上士
shàng shì
Sergeant
社区发展理事会
shè qū fā zhǎn lǐ shì huì
Community Development Council (CDC)
视帝
shì dì
Best Actor
视后
shì hòu
Best Actress
侍应生
shì yìng shēng
waiter or waitress
市长
shì zhǎng
mayor
市镇理事会
shì zhèn lǐ shì huì
Town Council
私会党
sī huì dăng
secret society
头家
tóu jiā
boss (colloquially known as towkay)
土生华人
tǔ shēng huá rén
Peranakan Chinese
亚细安
yà xì ān
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
烟客
yān kè
smoker
银会
yín huì
tontine
永久居民
yǒng jiǔ jū mín
Permanent Resident (PR)
杂工
zá gōng
odd-job worker
战备军人
zhàn bèi jūn rén
Operationally Ready National Serviceman