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.
立国一代
lì guó yí dài
Merdeka Generation
民防部队
mín fáng bù duì
Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
钱币兑换商
qián bì duì huàn shāng
money changer
全国职工总会
quán guó zhí gōng zǒng huì
National Trades Union Congress(NTUC)
人民协会
rén mín xié huì
People's Association (PA)
侍应生
shì yìng shēng
waiter or waitress
市镇理事会
shì zhèn lǐ shì huì
Town Council
私会党
sī huì dăng
secret society
土生华人
tǔ shēng huá rén
Peranakan Chinese
亚细安
yà xì ān
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
永久居民
yǒng jiǔ jū mín
Permanent Resident (PR)
战备军人
zhàn bèi jūn rén
Operationally Ready National Serviceman
政联公司
zhèng lián gōng sī
Government-Linked Companies (GLC)
中途之家
zhōng tú zhī jiā
halfway house
中元会
zhōng yuán huì
a group that organises activities for Hungry Ghost Festival