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.

巴刹语言
bā shā yǔ yán
pasar language
波霸
bō bà
bosomy woman
吃冰淇淋
chī bīng qí lín
checking out eye candy
吃风
chī fēng
to travel or have a vacation overseas (colloquially known as jiak hong)
吃蛇
chī shé
skiving off (colloquially known as jiak tsua)
冲凉
chōng liáng
to take a shower
臭酸
chòu suān
gone sour (colloquially known as cao sng)
打包
dă bāo
to takeaway
打底
dǎ dĭ
at least
打书
dǎ shū
to promote a new book
调头
diào tóu
to make a U-turn
顶限
dǐng xiàn
limit
放电
fàng diàn
to mesmerise
敢敢
gǎn gǎn
daringly and boldy
搞掂
gǎo diān
to get something done (colloquially known as gao dim)
割车
gē chē
to overtake
公司
gōng sī
clan associations or organisations (colloquially known as kong see))
固打
gù dǎ
quota
好彩
hǎo cǎi
luckily
好命
hǎo mìng
to have a good life