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.
淡马锡
dàn mǎ xī
Temasek (old term referring to Singapore)
多元种族
duō yuán zhǒng zú
multi-racial
观音妈
guān yīn mā
Avalokiteśvara (colloquially known as guan yim ma)
海峡华人
hăi xiá huá rén
Straits Chinese
好兄弟
hăo xīong dì
good brothers (supernatural spirits)
红毛
hóng máo
white people (colloquially known as ang mo)
红头巾
hóng tóu jīn
Samsui women (red headscarf)
华巫印
huá wū yìn
Chinese, Malay, and Indian
挥春
huī chūn
writing of Chinese New Year calligraphy
降头
jiàng tóu
black magic (colloquially known as gong tau)
历史走道
lì shǐ zǒu dào
heritage trail
马打
mă dă
police (colloquially known as mata, derived from mata-mata)
全面防卫日
quán miàn fáng wèi rì
Total Defence Day