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 huì
Social
巴冷刀
bā lěng dāo
parang
巴仙
bā xiān
percent
百慕达裤
bǎi mù dá kù
bermuda shorts
版位
bǎn wèi
article placement
绑紧跳
bǎng jĭn tiào
bungee jumping
保健储蓄
bǎo jiàn chǔ xù
MediSave
暴露
bào lù
revealing
报聘
bào pìn
to pay a return visit
报生纸
bào shēng zhǐ
birth certificate (colloquially known as po se tsua)
报效
bào xiào
to sponsor
便利贴
biàn lì tiē
post-it notes
波道
bō dào
television channel
帛金
bó jīn
condolence gift
shí wù/zhí wù
Food/Plants
薄饼
báo bǐng
popiah
shēng huó
Speech
巴刹语言
bā shā yǔ yán
pasar language
波霸
bō bà
bosomy woman
shè qún/tuán tǐ
Communities/Organisations
卜基
bǔ jī
bookmaker (bookie)
jiāo tōng
Transport
巴士专用道
bā shì zhuān yòng dào
bus lane
霸王车
bà wáng chē
pirate taxis or unpaid rides
白卡
bái kǎ
disembarkation / embarkation card