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.

叻屿呷国库银票
lè yǔ xiā guó kù yín piào
Straits Settlement notes
冷气
lěng qì
air-conditioner
亮灯
liàng dēng
light-up
零和
líng hé
zero-sum
绿色家园计划
lǜ sè jiā yuán jì huà
HDB Greenprint
买壳上市
mǎi ké shàng shì
reverse takeover
南大精神
nán dà jīng shén
Nantah Spirit
派对
pài duì
party
拼图
pīn tú
photofit / identikit
平行入口
píng xíng rù kǒu
parallel import
普通级
pǔ tōng jí
Films granted a “general” rating
普通自动售票机
pǔ tōng zì dòng shòu piào jī
General Ticketing Machine
汽车共享计划
qì chē gòng xiǎng jì huà
car-sharing programme
气闻
qì wén
news that will anger or amuse people
迁册
qiān cè
Transfer of Registration
强力胶
qiáng lì jiāo
super glue
清道夫
qīng dào fū
cleaner
清谈节目
qīng tán jié mù
talk show
热裤
rè kù
hot pants
善堂
shàn táng
charitable halls