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
新生油
xīn shēng yóu
NEWOil
新心相连
xīn xīn xiāng lián
SGUnited
“新心相连” 就业与技能配套
xīn xīn xiāng lián jiù yè yǔ jì néng pèi tào
SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package
行善计划
xíng shàn jì huà
Kindness Campaign
shí wù/zhí wù
Food/Plants
西果
xī guǒ
confectionery
仙草
xiān cǎo
grass jelly (colloquially known as chin chow)
香兰叶
xiāng lán yè
pandan leaf
新加坡司令
xīn jiā pō sī lìng
Singapore sling
shēng huó
Speech
洗肾
xǐ shèn
dialysis
下坡
xià pō
to go downtown (colloquially known as lo po
行兼跑
xíng jiān pǎo
walk-and-jog
shè qún/tuán tǐ
Communities/Organisations
谐星
xié xīng
comedian
新加坡华族文化中心
xīn jiā pō huá zú wén huà zhōng xīn
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre
新加坡中华总商会
xīn jiā pō zhōng huá zǒng shāng huì
Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI)
新加坡宗乡会馆联合总会
xīn jiā pō zōng xiāng huì guǎn lián hé zǒng huì
Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA)
dì lǐ xiāng guān
Places
戏院街
xì yuan jiē
Smith Street
小阿拉伯
xiǎo ā lā bó
vicinity of Arab Street
小桂林
xiǎo guì lín
Little Guilin
小坡
xiǎo pō
vicinity of North Bridge Road (colloquially known as sio po)
小泰国
xiǎo tài guó
Golden Mile Complex