25 Common Singlish Words You Need To Know To Speak Like a Local (2024)

Meaning: Can, doable.

Example: You want me to finish all this by myself? Ok lah eh sai.

Meaning: Afraid to die.

Example: You’re just having a mild flu. Don’t so kia si leh!

Meaning: For sure. Sounds good.

Example: Shall we meet tomorrow at Orchard at about 7pm? Ok steady.

Meaning: A very shortcut way of saying, “yes”, “there is”, “I did”.

Example: Do you have an umbrella? Got. Did you do your homework? Got. Did you show up yesterday? Got.

Meaning: Feeling bored. Nothing better to do. Can be used as an insult too on someone who is doing something that is a total waste of time.

Example: I’ve got no plans today, staying at home is so bo liao. Why are you throwing rocks in the ocean at 12am? Bo liao!

Meaning: To chill, relax, somewhere. To say someone is totally relaxed.

Example: Let’s go lepak at Junction 8! Eh, look at the cat just sleeping, damn lepak man!

Meaning: Confused. Do not understand.

Example: What is Mr. Tan talking about? Totally catch no ball man.

Meaning: To eat.

Example: You makan already?

Meaning: I cannot take it anymore.

Example: The sun is about 35 degrees today, I really buay tahan already.

Meaning: To be cool, stylish.

Example: Look at that uncle in his cowboy hat, stylo milo!

Meaning: We know what you're thinking, but it means to feel physically exhausted in Singlish.

Example:"Mygirlfriend made me carry all her shopping bags around Orchard Road, now I'm so shag."

Meaning:Literally translates to "don't care" from Hokkien, indicating someone who's indifferent or doesn't take the initiative.

Example:"It's Friday, Ibo chapalready. Don't ask me to do more work."

Meaning: Hokkien for "beautiful". Can be used as a compliment or to indicate aggreement and approval.

Example:"Wah, your dance moves superswee!"

Meaning: A Hokkien way of saying something is embarrassing. Alternatively, it’s to express a sense of shame or that you are simply shy.

Example: “I'mpaisehto ask Chris Hemsworth for a selfie.”

Meaning:An expression to display dismay, shock or alarm as one would with “Oh, no!”.

Example:“Alamak! I forgot to feed the cat!”

Meaning:Malay for “up”, but is usually used as an adjective to describe something as luxe, upper class or “high SES”.

Example:“He is tooatasto be caught dead eating at a hawkercentre.”

Meaning:Hokkien for “crazy”. This versatile word can be used to describe a person or simply an exclamation for a situation that seems out of this world – and not in a wondrous way.

Example:“Who busks withhorse masks in this heat?Siao!”

Meaning:An expression used to indicate that you’re not invited to something.Relatively closeto the term FOMO (fear of missing out). It can also be used as a verb.

Example:“You guys are having dinner together? Bojio.”

Meaning:A Hokkien expression for boring, tiring or bothersome.

Example:“Teacher wants us to memorise the periodic tabletoday. Sian.”

Meaning:A popular Hokkien term to mean “afraid of losing out”, describing someone as selfish and trying to get ahead of others in a negative manner.

Example:“Those kiasu aunties pushed through thecrowdfor the free goodies.”

Meaning:Usually used at hawkercentresto when placing an order to say “takeaway”.

Example:“Uncle, one chicken rice,tabao.”

Meaning:To describe something delicious or simply good.

Example:“This burger is so juicy, soshiok!”

Meaning:To reserve something.

Example:“Let’schopethe table by leaving a pack of tissues there.”

Meaning:Sure, this means “able to”, “permitted to” or to request something, but this can also be used variously with a Singlish modifier.

Example:“Can you do this for me?” “Can lah, no worries.” “Can meh?” “Sure can.”

Meaning:These are all discourse particles that are mentioned at the end of sentences. Each one serves different purposes, and it all depends on tone, syntax, andcontext.

Example:“Just do it like thatlah” (Here, “lah” has a sense of exasperation, but can alsobeusedas a finality.)

“I’ve got no choice, So I just did itlor.” (Here, “lor” is used to express acceptance or resignation.)

“I didn’t know you have to do it like thatleh.” (Here, “leh” is used to show uncertainty, a little more doubtful compared to “lah”.)

“Really,meh? You have to do it like that?” (Here, “meh” is used with a rhetorical question to serve disbelief without actually being shocked or surprised.)

Congratulations! You're now a pro at Singlish. Go forth and use your new knowledge by charming aunties at the kopitiam.

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