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 qún/tuán tǐ
Communities/Organisations
加龙古尼
jiā lóng gǔ ní
rag-and-bone man (colloquially known as karung guni)
建国一代
jiàn guó yí dài
Pioneer Generation
建屋发展局
jiàn wū fā zhǎn jú
Housing and Development Board (HDB)
讲华语运动
jiǎng huá yǔ yùn dòng
Speak Mandarin Campaign
街头党
jiē tóu dǎng
street gang
警曹
jǐng cáo
police sergeant
酒保
jiǔ bǎo
bartender
居民委员会
jū mín wěi yuan huì
Residents' Committee (RC)
jiāo tōng
Transport
机位
jī wèi
airplane passenger seat
驾驶中心
jià shǐ zhōng xīn
Driving Centre
fǎ zhèng
Legal/Politics
集选区
jí xuǎn qū
Group Representation Constituency (GRC)
检察司
jiǎn chá sī
public prosecutor
禁制令
jìn zhì lìng
injunction
dì lǐ xiāng guān
Places
脚底按摩径
jiǎo dǐ àn mó jìng
reflexology walk
结霜桥
jié shuāng qiáo
Sungei Road (colloquially known as gek sng kio)
金庄
jīn zhuāng
gold and jewellery shop
旧福特车厂
jiù fú tè chē chǎng
Former Ford Factory
聚落式排屋
jù luò shì pái wū
cluster housing
wén huà
Culture
家庭日
jiā tíng rì
family day
讲标准英语运动
jiǎng biāo zhǔn yīng yǔ yùn dòng
Speak Good English Movement