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.
红色炸弹
hóng sè zhà dàn
wedding invitation
鸡婆
jī pó
busybody (colloquially known as kaypoh)
懒惰眼
lǎn duò yǎn
amblyopia (lazy eye)
灵犬
líng quǎn
rescue dog or police dog
隆帮
lóng bāng
to hitch a ride, reside with or have someone pass an item to another person along the way (colloquially known as tumpang)
木虱
mù shī
bedbugs (colloquially known as bak sat)
脑力激荡
nǎo lì jī dàng
brainstorming
闹双包
nào shuāng bāo
two similar things appearing together unexpectedly
怕输
pà shū
afraid of losing to others (colloquially known as kiasu)
拍拖
pāi tuō
To date somebody (colloquially known as paktor)
屏门
píng mén
platform screen door
日行一善计划
rì xíng yī shàn jì huà
Singapore Kindness Movement