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.
好
兄
弟
Wandering supernatural spirits.
建
屋
发
展
局
A statutory board in Singapore responsible for the development of housing plans, standards and regulations, as well as the planning, allocation, construction and management of public housing in Singapore. Also abbreviated as “HDB”.
胡
姬
The term is the transliteration of “orchid”, which differs from the Chinese term “lan hua” (兰花) commonly known elsewhere.
中
峇
鲁
A housing estate in central Singapore, next to Outram and Bukit Ho Swee.
薄
饼
教育
jiào yù
Education
社会
shè huì
Social
食物、植物
shí wù / zhí wù
Food / Plants
生活用语
shēng huó
Speech
社群、团体
shè qún / tuán tǐ
Communities / Organisations
交通
jiāo tōng
Transport
法政
fǎ zhèng
Legal / Politics
地理相关
dì lǐ xiāng guān
Places
文化
wén huà
Culture