Think you know your Singlish? We picked out some of the Singaporean language’s most commonly used phrases so you can do things like order coffee like a pro, a bowl of noodles (yes, entirely in Singlish) and talk like a local.
Speak Like a Local
Lah
A suffix used to place emphasis on the sentence or word before
“Don’t worry about it lah!”
Chope
To reserve a place or call dibs on something
“Can you chope a seat for me?”
Kiasu
A fiercely competitive spirit
“She queued for four hours to get the latest iPhone – so kiasu!”
Alamak
The Singlish equivalent of “Oh my gosh”, or “Oh man”
“Alamak! Tickets for the concert are all sold out!”
Can or not?
A way of asking if something is possible/can be achieved
“Dinner at 7? Can or not?”
Shiok
Fantastic, or to convey feelings of satisfaction and pleasure
“This plate of chicken rice is damn shiok.”
Paiseh
A Hokkien term for embarrassing and shy
“Paiseh – can you lend me some cash?”
Aiyoh
An expression of surprise, and/or annoyance
“Aiyoh, why is the bus taking so long to arrive?”
Tapao
The Singlish equivalent of takeaway
“I’m going to tapao lunch from the hawker centre.”
Har-nor
The Singlish equivalent of “I agree”, or, “Exactly!”
A: “The movie is exciting!”
B: “Har-nor!”
Har-na
A way of acknowledging something someone says
A: “Don’t be late for tomorrow’s appointment!”
B: “Har-na, I won’t!”
Boleh
A Malay word for “can”, or “possible”
“You check on the movie timings and I’ll handle the bookings. Boleh?
Order Your Coffee
Kopi
Coffee with condensed milk
Kopi-siu dai
Coffee with condensed milk and less sugar
Kopi-si
Coffee with evaporated milk and sugar
Kopi-si kosong
Coffee with evaporated milk and no sugar
Kopi-o
Coffee with sugar and no milk
Order Your Noodles
Kway Teow
Flat rice noodles
Mee
Thick yellow egg noodles
Mee Kia
Thin yellow egg noodles
Bee Hoon
Rice vermicelli
Mee Pok
Flat yellow egg noodles
Order Your Singapore Breakfast
Kaya and kopi set
Toasted bread spread with butter and kaya (coconut jam), kopi (coffee with condensed milk), and soft-boiled eggs
Nasi lemak and iced Milo
Nasi lemak (fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, accompanied with an array of side dishes like omelette, fried fish, and anchovies), with iced Milo (a chocolate malt drink)
Roti prata and teh tarik
Prata (South Indian flatbread typically eaten with curry or sugar) with teh tarik (frothy hot milk tea)
Types of kueh (aka bite-sized snacks or dessert foods)
Tutu Kueh
Steamed rice flour cakes filled with sugared ground peanuts, or a combination of gula melaka (palm sugar) and shredded coconut
Kueh Lapis
A sweet layered cake primarily made from rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar; also available in varieties like chocolate and pandan
Chwee Kueh
Steamed rice cakes topped with diced preserved radish and chilli sauce
Ondeh Ondeh
Boiled rice cakes – typically round and green in colour – coated with grated coconut and filled with liquid gula melaka (palm sugar)
Ang Ku Kueh
Soft and round glutinous rice cakes with a sweet filling, usually mung bean or peanut paste
This article was published in Singapore Insider, a series of quarterly print guides produced in partnership with Singapore Tourism Board. Pick up a free copy at Singapore Visitor Centres island-wide, including Orchard (junction of Cairnhill Road and Orchard Road), orchardgateway, ION Orchard (Level 1 Concierge), and Chinatown Visitor Centre (2 Banda Street), or download the digital version.
