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.
春到河畔迎新年
chūn dào hé pàn yíng xīn nián
River Hong Bao
公共假日
gōng gòng jià rì
public holiday
辜加警察团
gū jiā jĭng chá tuán
Gurkha Contingent
海峡华人
hăi xiá huá rén
Straits Chinese
好兄弟
hăo xīong dì
good brothers (supernatural spirits)
红毛
hóng māo
caucasians / westerners (colloquially known as ang mo)
红头巾
hóng tóu jīn
samsui women (red headscarf)
华巫印
huá wū yìn
Chinese, Malay, and Indian
马打
mă dă
police (colloquially known as mata, derived from mata-mata)
怕输
pà shū
afraid of losing to others (colloquially known as kiasu)