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.
初级学院
chū jí xué yuàn
junior college (JC)
财副
cái fù
clerk (colloquially known as zai hu)
财路
cái lù
General Interbank Recurring Order (GIRO)
残障
cán zhàng
physically disabled
扯购
chě gòu
panic buying (of currency or stocks)
充电
chōng diàn
to rest and recharge
抽润
chōu rùn
resale levy or to impose a resale levy
储值购物卡
chǔ zhì gòu wù kǎ
gift card
创业基金
chuàng yè jī jīn
venture fund
潮州饭粿
cháo zhōu fàn guǒ
png kueh
吃冰淇淋
chī bīng qí lín
checking out eye candy
吃风
chī fēng
to travel or have a vacation overseas (colloquially known as jiak hong)
吃蛇
chī shé
skiving off (colloquially known as jiak tsua)
冲凉
chōng liáng
to take a shower
臭酸
chòu suān
gone sour (colloquially known as cao sng)
唱片骑师
chàng piàn qí shī
disc jockey (DJ)