20 Slangs Only A True Blue Singaporean Will Know (Compiled)

[iamziz]

20 Slangs Only A True Blue Singaporean Will Know

 

To all Singaporeans who have been away from home, nothing in the world feels more heart-warming than stepping into Changi Airport's arrival hall and hearing, "WAH, SO FAT ALREADY AH!" or "AH BOY, MAMA MISS YOU LEI."

 

Something about hearing Singlish, the beloved Singaporean slang, always hits home after an eternity of trying to convince the world that Singapore isn't part of China. And if they disagree...

 

 

This post of 20 Singapore Slangs is dedicated to all you true blue locally born Singaporeans out there.

 

 

1. Bo Jio

 

 

What it means: Arguably the most overused words in Singapore, "Bo Jio" is amazingly applicable to almost every situation in life. A hokkien phrase which means never invite, your friends will probably say it to you if you fail to share this awesome article with them.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: *Posts an image on Instagram having an awesome time somewhere*

 

B:

 

 

2. Whatever / Anything Lor

 

 

Remember this?

 

 

What it means: Anything lor, whatever lor. The typical response when you have no idea what you want, but you are just too shy or lazy to suggest something. You're likely to reject the first few suggestions too, shame on you!

 

To make it #SoSingaporean, we add the Singlish word "lor" for the emphasis.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

Boy: Wat u wanna eat?

 

Girl:

 

 

3. Guai Lan

 

 

What it means: Literally meaning strange dick in Hokkien, "Guai Lan" usually refers to people who are difficult to deal with or are just plain annoying.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: Eh help me leh,

 

B:

 

 

4. Wah Lau Eh

 

 

What it means: A hokkien phase which when translated stands for "My Father Eh", "Wah Lau Eh" is an expression typically used to portray surprise or disappointment.

 

Similiar phrases: Wah Piang Eh, Wah Kao

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: Eh, Charles says he going to be late again.

 

B:

 

 

5. 几点了 (What Time Already)

 

 

What it means: "几点了" or what time already is meant for that one friend who is never, ever on time for gatherings.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: Eh bro, where are you?

 

B: On my way, reaching soon..

 

*30 Minutes Later*

 

 

6. Pai Seh

 

 

What it means: A hokkien phrase which means 不好意思 or a feeling of embarrassment. "Pai seh" is used mainly as an apologetic response or a portrayal of the feeling of embarrassment.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: *thinks of an excuse to pang seh*

 

 

7. Kao Pei Kao Bu (KPKB)

 

 

What it means: Meaning cry father, cry mother in hokkien, the crying indicates noise and "KPKB" is used for people who kicks up a big fuss about something. It can also be used in short form "Kao pei la" to scold someone who sprouts nonsense.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

Student: Eh teacher, you see, you see, he take my pencil!!

 

Teacher:

 

 

8. CB

 

 

What it means: I know what you guys are thinking, but no I'm not making references to a certain legendary leaf we army boys discover in Tekong.

 

 

 

CB is also known as "Chio Bu", a Hokkien phrase which means actually means buxom lady. In the Singaporean context however, it is the guys' favourite phrase to describe the presence of an attractive girl.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: Eh bro, chio bu! 6 o'clock!

 

B:

 

 

 

9. Last Warning

 

What it means: Have you ever felt like kicking your friend's ass for doing something really stupid or for being impossibly smart at exams? Just like a referee brandishing a yellow card in a soccer game, "Last Warning" is a phrase usually used at people whose face you feel like punching for whatever reason; or for things that just ticks you off and makes you go LOL or ARGH.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: I need a date for tonight leh, how about you lend me your girlfriend la? We best friends right.

 

B:

 

 

10. Eee-yer

 

What it means: Pronounced "E-Year", "Eeyer" is a slang to signify a person's disgust or dislike when encountering something gross or just plain disgusting.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

Girl: Hey babe, check out my oozing pimple..

 

Girl:

 

 

11. GG

 

 

What it means: A popular gamer's term, "GG", also known as good game, has in recent years been added to the Singaporean's list of slangs to represent the feeling that something is going to or has already ended in a disaster.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: Eh, project when due?

 

B: Erm.. Tomorrow 2359. Why you haven't started yet ah?

 

A: Ya man, how siaaa...

 

B:

 

 

12. Siao

 

 

What it means: Meaning crazy in hokkien. "Siao" is used as a reply to a crazy idea or proposition by someone, or to describe a crazy person. Check out the video below for a typical Singaporean's usage of "Siao":

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=okLgos55kJU

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

Boy: *To girl best friend* Actually, after all these years of being friends, I just wanted to tell you.. I love you.. A lot..

 

Girl best friend: YOU SIAO AH?

 

 

13. Come I Clap For You

 

 

What it means: "Come I Clap for you" is a sarcastic response to anything in which you know a praise is due or expected but.. you just didn't feel like being genuine about it.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: Eh bro you know what?

 

B: What?

 

A: Yesterday I managed to get the girl's number after planning my approach for 4 weeks!

 

B:

 

 

14. No link

 

 

What it means: "No link" is the Singaporean way to describe when someone says something that has completely no relevance to the conversation and which makes you go:

 

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: Eh you know yesterday Charlie got attached to Charlene!

 

B: Attached as in attachment? Like internship?

 

A:

 

 

15. Pang Seh

 

 

What it means: A hokkien term which basically means to abandon. "Pang Seh" is used to describe someone who habitually does not turn up for meetings or appointments, or who always gives excuses to not show up at the last moment.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

A:

 

 

B: Ok ok.

 

*the next day*

 

B: Eh bro, sorry I last minute cannot make it.

 

A:

 

 

 

16. Jialat

 

 

What it means: The exact translation of "Jialat" is sapping energy in hokkien. However, the usage of "Jialat" is to describe a tragic or disastrous situation.

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

Girl: Do I look fat in this dress?

 

Boy: No, you look gorgeous babe.

 

Girl: Come on, I want to hear your honest opinion. I won't get mad!

 

Boy: Errr okay, maybe hot pink doesn't really suit you.

 

Girl: OMG I knew it! YOU DON'T CARE AT ALL ABOUT ME DO YOU?!

 

 

17. Sian

 

 

What it means: "Sian" is a hokkien word which conveys boredom, frustration, weariness or monotony.

 

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

What Monday morning classes feel like:

 

 

 

18. Steady

 

 

What it means: "Steady" used to be a term which implies that a boy and a girl are in a serious relationship. I still remember those secondary school days where the guys will go, "Wanna stead?" when asking a girl to be his girlfriend. These days, "steady" has evolved into a positive reply made by a person when he or she agrees with a suggestion or idea made by the other party.

 

 

 

he Everyday Singaporean:

 

A: Eh bro, tonight New Year's countdown, we go drink then party?

 

B:

 

 

 

19. Liddat

 

 

What it means: If you ever observed a Singaporeans' exchange of messages or listen in to a conversation, you most probably would have come across something that spells "L-i-d-d-a-t" or sounds like "Lie-dat". "Liddat" is the Singaporean's shortcut to "Like that".. because we just like to do everything fast(er).

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

*5 Hours before project deadline*

 

A: Eh, David say he got to send his parents to airport, so he cannot complete his part of the project. He asks us to help him finish.

 

B:

 

 

 

20. Simi

 

 

What it means: "Simi" bascially means what in hokkien. It is usually paired with "Tai-ji" meaning problem or "Sai" meaning shit to give the words:

 

Simi-taiji: What's the problem?

 

Simi-sai: What the shit / Whatever shit

 

The Everyday Singaporean:

 

During final exams:

 

 

Source: http://www.thesmartlocal.com/read/20-singaporean-slangs

 

Edited December 28, 2013 by iamziz

[abang]

Oops... I dont know all of them (yet)..

Especially Bo Jio, GG and Come I Clap for you...

 

Nevertheless, I believe the list is not exhaustive (yet)..

More to come (and educate me leh)...

[mvoo]

steady pom pi pi !

[gstc82]

What's GG?

[Guest Sinkie]

Some of the above are not quite complete.

 

1.  Sibei Sian (not "sian")

2.  Simi Lan (not "Simi")

3.  Steady Lah (not "steady")

4.  Jialat leh or Jin Jialat (not "jialat")

5   Buay Link or Buay Jun (not "no link")

6   Siao Ding Dong (Not "siao")

7.  Kan Nah nHear or go Kan bu lah or KNN lah (instead of just "CB") or if CB is used, followed by lah! CB lah!!

8.  Jin Chai lah (not "whatever or anything"), can also say "anyhow lor"

9.  Liddat also can or why liddat one?  (not "liddat")

 

To add:

 

10.  Buay Song leh (not satisfied)

11.  Tio Siao (infactuated by something or being stung by black-magic)

12.  Cho Bo Lan or Jiak Liao bee (Useless)

13.  Bo Tua Bo Suay (very rude)

14.  Jiak Sai lah (go eat shit)

15.  Tio Duah or being Saboed (being betrayed)

16.  Kiam Kan (waiting to get fuck or get scolding from someone)

17.  Can or not?  (meaning issit ok with you?)

18.  Sng Chao (play Cheat) or Mai Sng Chao hor (don't try to cheat)

19.  Jin Tu Lang (very angry)

20.  Cheong Kong (Confiscate)

21.  Song Pa (take an Oath or swear to god)

22.  Lim Beh (I am your father)

23.  Keh Si (Pretend)

24.  Zao Lor (trying to escape)

25.  Your eyes got stamp ah (you are blind to see/you can't differentiate between truth from falsehood)

26.   Don't anyhow say (think before you speak)

27.   Not I say one (I didn't say)

28.   Really ah (iss't?)

29.   See how lah (still deciding)

30.   No See (didn't see)

 

 

[Guest Guest]

Don't think some are uniquely " singlish " as some are hokkien words and they are also used in Taiwan eg guai lan , kao bei kao bu ... Singlish should be a common lingual among local Chinese , Malays and Indians etc ... Sth unique to Sg , I think would be ga-nai-sai , sian , Bo chap , mc king , blur like sotong , gan-chiong spider or king , Bayee simi sei , why u so like that , how come like that , kio-tio-gu-lan , got good or lousy lobang etc

[fab]

These slangs are not unique to sgreans.

 

I believe most msians chinese, indonesian Chinese  and even Taiwanese are able to understand.

[EasleyLim]

  On 12/28/2013 at 6:30 AM, gstc82 said:

What's GG?

 

Good game.

 

Usually used at the end of a match. Sorta like the gamer version of those friendly handshake after a sports match. Due to it being used almost exclusively after matches it has became synonymous with things going badly or not as planned. However, I don't think this is a SG thing but more of a gamer slang. The girls I know hardly uses gg unless they game.

Edited December 28, 2013 by EasleyLim

[Mohd_Ben]

"Lah" is also common! All races use it

[FoodieHoodie]

Am I the only one who never used "Come I clap for you"? LOL! I don't even know its existence.

[gstc82]

  On 12/28/2013 at 7:56 AM, EasleyLim said:

Good game.

Usually used at the end of a match. Sorta like the gamer version of those friendly handshake after a sports match. Due to it being used almost exclusively after matches it has became synonymous with things going badly or not as planned. However, I don't think this is a SG thing but more of a gamer slang. The girls I know hardly uses gg unless they game.

thanks;)

[Guest X'mas]

  On 12/28/2013 at 6:42 AM, Sinkie said:

Some of the above are not quite complete.

1. Sibei Sian (not "sian")

2. Simi Lan (not "Simi")

3. Steady Lah (not "steady")

4. Jialat leh or Jin Jialat (not "jialat")

5 Buay Link or Buay Jun (not "no link")

6 Siao Ding Dong (Not "siao")

7. Kan Nah nHear or go Kan bu lah or KNN lah (instead of just "CB") or if CB is used, followed by lah! CB lah!!

8. Jin Chai lah (not "whatever or anything"), can also say "anyhow lor"

9. Liddat also can or why liddat one? (not "liddat")

To add:

10. Buay Song leh (not satisfied)

11. Tio Siao (infactuated by something or being stung by black-magic)

12. Cho Bo Lan or Jiak Liao bee (Useless)

13. Bo Tua Bo Suay (very rude)

14. Jiak Sai lah (go eat shit)

15. Tio Duah or being Saboed (being betrayed)

16. Kiam Kan (waiting to get fuck or get scolding from someone)

17. Can or not? (meaning issit ok with you?)

18. Sng Chao (play Cheat) or Mai Sng Chao hor (don't try to cheat)

19. Jin Tu Lang (very angry)

20. Cheong Kong (Confiscate)

21. Song Pa (take an Oath or swear to god)

22. Lim Beh (I am your father)

23. Keh Si (Pretend)

24. Zao Lor (trying to escape)

25. Your eyes got stamp ah (you are blind to see/you can't differentiate between truth from falsehood)

26. Don't anyhow say (think before you speak)

27. Not I say one (I didn't say)

28. Really ah (iss't?)

29. See how lah (still deciding)

30. No See (didn't see)

Peasant language.

[Guest Cloyd]

  On 12/28/2013 at 1:45 PM, X said:

Peasant language.

 

You siao ah?  If this is peasant language, then 95% of Singaporeans must be peasants.  Really meh?  You are very xia suay!

[staghomme]

That's a good post

[7for7]

This is like the coxford dictionary at talkingcock.

[Guest Not Malay]

Not a single Malay phrase in the 20. Should be retitled "20 Slangs only a true blue Singaporean Chinese will know".

[Respell19]

  On 12/28/2013 at 6:42 AM, Sinkie said:

Some of the above are not quite complete.

 

1.  Sibei Sian (not "sian")

2.  Simi Lan (not "Simi")

3.  Steady Lah (not "steady")

4.  Jialat leh or Jin Jialat (not "jialat")

5   Buay Link or Buay Jun (not "no link")

6   Siao Ding Dong (Not "siao")

7.  Kan Nah nHear or go Kan bu lah or KNN lah (instead of just "CB") or if CB is used, followed by lah! CB lah!!

8.  Jin Chai lah (not "whatever or anything"), can also say "anyhow lor"

9.  Liddat also can or why liddat one?  (not "liddat")

 

To add:

 

10.  Buay Song leh (not satisfied)

11.  Tio Siao (infactuated by something or being stung by black-magic)

12.  Cho Bo Lan or Jiak Liao bee (Useless)

13.  Bo Tua Bo Suay (very rude)

14.  Jiak Sai lah (go eat shit)

15.  Tio Duah or being Saboed (being betrayed)

16.  Kiam Kan (waiting to get fuck or get scolding from someone)

17.  Can or not?  (meaning issit ok with you?)

18.  Sng Chao (play Cheat) or Mai Sng Chao hor (don't try to cheat)

19.  Jin Tu Lang (very angry)

20.  Cheong Kong (Confiscate)

21.  Song Pa (take an Oath or swear to god)

22.  Lim Beh (I am your father)

23.  Keh Si (Pretend)

24.  Zao Lor (trying to escape)

25.  Your eyes got stamp ah (you are blind to see/you can't differentiate between truth from falsehood)

26.   Don't anyhow say (think before you speak)

27.   Not I say one (I didn't say)

28.   Really ah (iss't?)

29.   See how lah (still deciding)

30.   No See (didn't see)

 

Correction to #21. It's "Soom pa". Add on to #18 "Bua cao"

 

Adding on from list:

 

31) Zao sai - means runaway; usually meant to say someone in a relationship initiates a breakup and go for the third party.

32) Diao kia - pregnant; usually meant to say shotgun.

33) Chui tat lan (literal translation "mouth stuck cock") - means nothing to say; usually meant for someone who has nothing else to say anymore during a quarrel/argument.

34) Hor gao gan (literal translation "let dog fuck")

35) Tio tat/Tio tiao - means stuck or cannot move

.

.

.

.

.

[SeannyShortcake]

Yeah mostly Singaporean Chinese phrases.

 

The list needs to be revised lol.

[iamziz]

If you visit the link at the bottom of the posting, you will read the following:

 

Have more Singapore Slangs to share?

 

This isn't the complete list of Singaporean slang in our vocabulary, but they are my 20 favourite ones. There are many others that I didn't include in this list, maybe even new ones I have not even heard of as well. Do you have a favourite slang not being included here that you wish to share with us?

 

Here it is again if you missed it there:

 

http://www.thesmartlocal.com/read/20-singaporean-slangs

 

[Guest Guest]

  On 12/28/2013 at 5:23 PM, Not Malay said:

Not a single Malay phrase in the 20. Should be retitled "20 Slangs only a true blue Singaporean Chinese will know".

1) siol (malay style), sia (chinese style)

2) tak boleh tahan

3) off day

4) alamak

5) puki (vulgar word)

.....can't think of others now 

[Guest jordgey mbs ikuiku]

pls enlighten me .... why it is called ah tiong? why can't it be ah meng, ah toing or else?

what is the terminology and chronological history of it?

[The_Third_Boy]

ah tiong

A pejorative termed used by overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia to describe mainland Chinese immigrants in the same way FOBs is used by Asians in the US, Canada and Australia to disparage recent Asian immigrants.

The etymology of the word stems from the Hokkien (a predominant Chinese dialect spoken in Southeast Asia) pronunciation of China "Tiong Kok" which in standard Mandarin would be pronounced as Zhong Guo.

The use of the word is usually preceded by other adjectives ranging from rude, chao and arrogant to hot, sexy and chio - with the latter three being generally reserved for working ladies of PRC origins. As demonstrated from the above, the use of the term Ah Tiong transcends gender boundaries.

That chao ah tiong is damn fucking rude! How dare he cut our queue! We're in KL, not Kunming!

[justin1982]

Ok la ok la... Above mentioned all correct lsh ! Typically from local loh