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
政联公司
zhèng lián gōng sī
Government-Linked Companies (GLC)
制服人员
zhì fú rén yuán
uniformed officer
智障
zhì zhàng
mentally disabled
中途之家
zhōng tú zhī jiā
halfway house
中元会
zhōng yuán huì
a group that organises activities for Hungry Ghost Festival
自雇人士
zì gù rén shì
self-employed
宗乡会馆
zōng xiāng huì guǎn
Clan Association
座办
zuò bàn
manager
jiāo tōng
Transport
巴士道
bā shì dào
bus lane
巴士转换站
bā shì zhuǎn huàn zhàn
bus interchange
霸王车
bà wáng chē
Illegal ferrying or unpaid rides
乘搭
chéng dā
ride
川行
chuān xíng
to describe a vehicle moving
搭客
dā kè
passenger
大型豪华德士
dà xíng háo huá dé shì
MaxiCab
德士
dé shì
taxi
赌船
dǔ chuán
gambling ship
高架公路
gāo jià gōng lù
overpass
固本
gù běn
coupon
红灯左转
hóng dēng zuǒ zhuǎn
Left Turn on Red