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.

jiāo tōng
Transport
双节巴士
shuāng jié bā shì
articulated bus/bendy bus
水上德士
shuǐ shàng dé shì
river taxi
锁车区
suǒ chē qū
Wheel Clamp Zone
fǎ zhèng
Legal/Politics
三司
sān sī
three judges in the Court of Appeal
上诉庭
shàng sù tíng
Court of Appeal
司法委员
sī fǎ wěi yuán
Judicial Commissioner
讼费
sòng fèi
legal fees
dì lǐ xiāng guān
Places
三巴旺
sān bā wàng
Sembawang
三房式
sān fáng shì
3-Room flats
三马路
sān mǎ lù
Queen Street
三州府
sān zhōu fǔ
Straits Settlements
社区调解中心
shè qū tiáo jiě zhōng xīn
Community Mediation Centre
盛港
shèng gǎng
Sengkang
圣淘沙
shèng táo shā
Sentosa
十八间
shí bā jiān
Boat Quay (colloquially known as zhap buay keng)
十八间后
shí bā jiān hòu
Circular Road
湿巴刹
shī bā shā
wet market
示范单位
shì fàn dān wèi
showroom
食阁
shí gé
food court
书城
shū chéng
Bras Basah Complex