Singaporean Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms to Speak Like a Local

Singaporean Slang Guide

Singapore may be a small island nation, but its cultural tapestry is anything but small. With a unique blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western influences, **Singapore’s local slang—often called Singlish—**has become an iconic part of the country’s identity. If you’ve ever wondered why Singaporeans use “lah” or “shiok” in almost every sentence, you’re in the right place!

This Singaporean Slang Guide will walk you through 100 essential terms, so you can move beyond textbook English and speak like a true local. Whether you’re planning a visit, a business trip, or just curious about this linguistic wonder, you’ll find everything you need right here.

Why Learn Singlish?

Before diving in, you may be wondering: Why bother learning Singlish? Isn’t English enough? While you can certainly get by with standard English in Singapore, knowing local slang offers several benefits:

• Authentic Connection: Locals appreciate it when foreigners make an effort to speak their language—even if it’s Singlish.
• Cultural Insight: Slang words carry centuries of multicultural influences, revealing Singapore’s social values and humor.
• Ice Breaker: Dropping a well-timed “lah” in a conversation can lead to smiles and instant camaraderie.

Ready to pick up some local lingo? Let’s explore 100 must-know Singlish terms in bite-sized categories.

1. Everyday Particles & Fillers (1–10)

1. Lah
   • Meaning: A general expression used for emphasis or to soften a statement.
   • Usage: “Don’t worry lah, we’ll get there on time!”
   • Key Insight: Probably the most iconic Singlish term.
2. Lor
   • Meaning: Used at the end of a sentence to express a casual, resigned tone.
   • Example: “Ok lor, if you say so.”
   • Vibe: Nonchalant acceptance.
3. Leh
   • Meaning: Conveys doubt or mild disagreement.
   • Usage: “He said he’s coming, leh. But I’m not sure.”
   • Tip: Perfect when you’re unsure about something.
4. Mah
   • Meaning: Used to explain or emphasize a point.
   • Example: “Of course we should go, mah—it’s free!”
   • Cultural Note: Softens a direct statement.
5. Meh
   • Meaning: Shows skepticism or questioning tone.
   • Usage: “Really meh? I didn’t know that.”
   • Effect: Adds a subtle challenge to what was just said.
6. Sia
   • Meaning: Informal exclamation of surprise or emphasis.
   • Example: “That new hawker stall is damn good, sia!”
   • Where You’ll Hear It: Common among younger Singaporeans.
7. Hor
   • Meaning: A tag question that seeks agreement.
   • Example: “You didn’t finish your homework, hor?”
   • Similar To: “Right?” in English, but more playful.
8. Aiyah
   • Meaning: Exclamation of mild annoyance or exasperation.
   • Usage: “Aiyah, I forgot to bring my wallet again.”
   • Pro Tip: You’ll hear this a lot in everyday life.
9. Aiyoh
   • Meaning: Similar to “Aiyah” but with an added sense of surprise or dismay.
   • Example: “Aiyoh, why you drop the food?”
   • Tone: Expresses both pity and mild frustration.
10. Walao

• Meaning: Stronger exclamation than “Aiyah,” often meaning “Oh my gosh!”
• Usage: “Walao, the queue is so long!”
• Cultural Tip: Used for emphasis in surprising or frustrating situations.

2. Foodie Expressions (11–20)

Singapore is a food paradise, so it’s no surprise that plenty of Singlish revolves around eating.

11. Makan

• Meaning: “To eat” (borrowed from Malay).
• Example: “Let’s go makan; I’m starving!”
• Essential Phrase: You’ll hear and use this everywhere.

12. Shiok

• Meaning: Extreme satisfaction, usually relating to food or experiences.
• Usage: “This laksa is super shiok!”
• Iconic Word: One of the top Singlish words tourists learn first.

13. Sedap

• Meaning: “Delicious,” from Malay.
• Example: “Your chicken rice so sedap leh.”
• Culinary Culture: Show appreciation for tasty dishes.

14. Tapau

• Meaning: Takeaway or “to go.”
• Usage: “Can I tapau this curry for later?”
• Synonym: “Da bao,” more influenced by Chinese dialects.

15. Lim kopi

• Meaning: Literally “drink coffee.” Used to suggest grabbing a coffee together.
• Example: “Let’s lim kopi later and catch up.”
• Insight: The local coffee scene is huge (kopitiams, anyone?).

16. Shiok ah!

• Meaning: An exclamation combining “shiok” with excitement.
• Usage: “Shiok ah, this ice kacang cools me down perfectly!”
• Cultural Nuance: Next-level expression of pleasure.

17. Kiasu

• Meaning: Fear of losing out or missing out, often leads to over-competitive behavior (e.g., queuing early for freebies).
• Usage: “He’s so kiasu, he booked the seats one hour before the show.”
• Cultural Trait: A big part of Singaporean stereotypes—“kiasu” mentality is both joked about and recognized nationwide.

18. Bo jio

• Meaning: Complaining that someone didn’t invite you to an outing or meal.
• Usage: “You guys went to eat durian without me? Bo jio!”
• Playful Whine: A common phrase among friends.

19. Ta bao

• Meaning: Another way to say “takeaway.”
• Example: “Let’s ta bao chicken rice for dinner.”
• Tip: Sometimes spelled “dabao,” especially in Chinese contexts.

20. Pang kang

• Meaning: “Knock off” from work.
• Usage: “After we pang kang, we go makan, can?”
• Work-Life Flow: Food is often the next agenda after finishing work.

3. Everyday Actions & Reactions (21–30)

21. Sian

• Meaning: Bored, tired, or feeling listless.
• Usage: “So sian today, nothing to do.”
• Resonance: Commonly heard after a long day or during a dull class.

22. Paiseh

• Meaning: Embarrassed or shy.
• Example: “Paiseh, I stepped on your shoe.”
• Cultural Note: Similar to “malu” in Malay, reflecting modesty.

23. Chiong

• Meaning: To rush or charge at something with gusto.
• Usage: “We need to chiong all our work before the deadline!”
• Energy Indicator: Conveys motivation or urgency.

24. Kanchiong

• Meaning: Anxious or uptight.
• Example: “Don’t be so kanchiong, still got time mah.”
• Opposite of Calm: Often heard during busy periods like exam season.

25. Tahan

• Meaning: To endure or bear with it.
• Usage: “Can you tahan the spicy chili?”
• Practical Use: Great for describing physical or mental endurance.

26. Kaypoh

• Meaning: Busybody or someone who pries into others’ affairs.
• Example: “Don’t be so kaypoh, mind your own business.”
• Friendliness Factor: Often used teasingly among friends.

27. Pon

• Meaning: To skip school or work without permission.
• Usage: “He pon class yesterday to play games.”
• Student Slang: You’ll hear this a lot in casual circles.

28. Atas

• Meaning: High-class or snobbish.
• Usage: “That restaurant is so atas, I can’t afford it.”
• Cultural Undercurrent: Often used humorously to mock pretentiousness.

29. Spoil market

• Meaning: Going above and beyond, making others look bad by comparison.
• Example: “Don’t work overtime every day, you spoil market for us.”
• Workplace Humor: Good-natured complaint among colleagues.

30. Cheem

• Meaning: Deep or profound, can also mean complicated.
• Usage: “Wah, your math problem is damn cheem.”
• Student Life: Common in academic contexts or philosophical discussions.

4. Tech & Online Slang (31–40)

31. PM (Private Message) lah

• Meaning: Asking someone to continue a conversation in private.
• Example: “You got queries? PM lah.”
• Digital Age Must: Common in forums or social media.

32. Die die must try

• Meaning: You absolutely have to experience this (often used for food).
• Usage: “That new brunch spot? Die die must try, man!”
• Local Charm: Emphasizes the necessity of an experience.

33. FOMO

• Meaning: Fear Of Missing Out, widely recognized globally but also used in Singlish.
• Usage: “They all going MBS? I got FOMO lah.”
• Cultural Relevance: Ties in with the kiasu spirit.

34. Selca

• Meaning: Selfie (influenced by K-pop circles).
• Usage: “Take a selca with me at Merlion Park!”
• Youth Lingo: Popular among younger crowds.

35. Jio

• Meaning: To invite someone to join a gathering or activity.
• Example: “He jio me for steamboat tonight.”
• Key Slang: If you don’t want people saying “bo jio,” you better jio them.

36. Chio

• Meaning: Pretty or attractive.
• Usage: “Wah, that girl is super chio!”
• Compliment Factor: Compliment someone’s looks casually.

37. OTOT

• Meaning: “Own time, own target.”
• Usage: “We can watch the movie OTOT, no rush.”
• Origin: Likely from National Service (military context), but now widely used.

38. Lepak

• Meaning: To chill out or hang around doing nothing.
• Usage: “Let’s go lepak at the void deck.”
• Casual Vibe: Borrowed from Malay, prevalent among all youth.

39. Song

• Meaning: Feels good, extremely pleasurable.
• Example: “That foot massage was damn song.”
• Context: Usually describes gratifying experiences.

40. Chio bu

• Meaning: “Pretty girl,” combining “chio” (pretty) and “bu” (Hokkien for woman).
• Usage: “He was talking to a chio bu at the bar.”
• Social Caution: Casual but might be perceived as objectifying, so use carefully.

5. Emotions & Reactions (41–50)

41. Xiao

• Meaning: Crazy (from Mandarin).
• Usage: “He spent $500 on a toy? Xiao!”
• Tone: Conveys astonishment or mild disapproval.

42. Kao beh kao bu

• Meaning: Complaining or whining incessantly.
• Usage: “Stop your kao beh kao bu, just solve the problem.”
• Literal Translation: “Cry father, cry mother”—an expression of annoyance.

43. Wah

• Meaning: Simple exclamation of surprise or wonder.
• Usage: “Wah, so crowded today!”
• Universally Understood: Even non-Singaporeans pick this up quickly.

44. Wah lau

• Meaning: A stronger exclamation than “Wah,” akin to “Oh my gosh!”
• Example: “Wah lau, this exam is so hard.”
• Cultural Variation: Another version is “Walao,” which we covered earlier.

45. Alamak

• Meaning: Expresses shock, dismay, or “Oh no!”
• Usage: “Alamak, I forgot to lock the door!”
• Malay Influence: Known to every Singaporean.

46. Sia la

• Meaning: A slangy exclamation for emphasis or surprise.
• Example: “His new house is huge, sia la!”
• Youthful Spin: Popular among younger folks.

47. Oei

• Meaning: “Hey!” (to grab attention)
• Usage: “Oei, don’t block the way!”
• Tone Warning: Can sound rude if used with strangers.

48. Buay tahan

• Meaning: Cannot endure or tolerate.
• Usage: “I buay tahan the heat, need air-con now.”
• Combination: “Buay” means “cannot,” “tahan” means “endure.”

49. Hopeless la

• Meaning: Expressing that something is beyond help or is very bad.
• Usage: “Wah, my cooking skills hopeless la.”
• Self-Deprecation: Often used humorously.

50. Pengz

• Meaning: “Fainted” or extremely shocked.
• Usage: “The price is $100 for a bowl of noodles? Pengz!”
• Comedic Value: Exaggerates disbelief.

6. Cultural & Festive Slang (51–60)

51. Ang bao

• Meaning: Red packet given during Chinese New Year.
• Usage: “Kids look forward to collecting ang bao.”
• Cultural Insight: Symbolizes good fortune.

52. Lo hei

• Meaning: The tossing of raw fish salad (yu sheng) for prosperity.
• Usage: “Chinese New Year not complete without lo hei, lah!”
• Festive Ritual: Accompanied by shouts of auspicious phrases.

53. Kueh

• Meaning: Traditional cakes and snacks, often served during festivities.
• Example: “I love kueh lapis and ang ku kueh.”
• Cultural Flavor: Integral to Malay and Chinese traditions.

54. Open House

• Meaning: Festive visits during Hari Raya or Deepavali, welcoming guests.
• Usage: “My friend’s having an open house, let’s go makan.”
• Multi-Ethnic Practice: Bridges cultures and communities.

55. Hari Raya

• Meaning: Refers to Eid celebrations for Muslims.
• Usage: “Hari Raya is coming, time for new clothes!”
• National Spirit: Encourages communal open houses.

56. Lion Dance

• Meaning: Traditional Chinese dance performance, especially during Lunar New Year.
• Usage: “Can hear lion dance everywhere in Chinatown.”
• Vibrant Display: Believed to ward off evil spirits.

57. Macam yes

• Meaning: “Seems like yes,” but not quite. Used to describe something that’s misleadingly impressive.
• Usage: “He’s acting confident, macam yes only.”
• Humorous Skepticism: Usually teasing someone’s overconfidence.

58. Ulu

• Meaning: Remote or out-of-the-way location.
• Example: “That hawker center is so ulu, must take two buses.”
• Perspective: Anywhere outside central Singapore can be considered “ulu.”

59. Pasar malam

• Meaning: Night market, often selling street food and clothes.
• Usage: “Let’s go pasar malam for cheap goodies.”
• Local Favorite: Great place for discovering Singapore’s street snacks.

60. Kampong spirit

• Meaning: Neighborly community feeling, reminiscent of village life.
• Usage: “He helped fix my door—true kampong spirit!”
• Social Fabric: Reflects a sense of unity and helping each other.

7. Office & School Slang (61–70)

61. Arrow

• Meaning: To assign an undesirable task to someone.
• Usage: “Boss arrowed me to work on Saturday.”
• Work Culture Term: You’ll hear this in corporate Singapore.

62. Kopi money

• Meaning: Small bribe or token.
• Example: “He tried giving kopi money to speed up the process.”
• Ethical Note: Usually frowned upon but recognized as a colloquial reference.

63. Chao keng

• Meaning: Pretending to be sick or finding excuses to skip duties (often from National Service).
• Usage: “He always chao keng during PT.”
• Military Lingo: Expanded to everyday life usage.

64. Zao

• Meaning: To run off or leave quickly.
• Usage: “After work, we zao to the bar for a drink.”
• Rapid Exit: Also “chao” or “cau,” depending on accent.

65. Sabo

• Meaning: Sabotage or set someone up for trouble.
• Usage: “Don’t sabo me by telling teacher I was late.”
• Lighthearted Tone: Often used jokingly among friends.

66. GL (Goondu la)

• Meaning: GL stands for “Goondu la!” meaning “You’re so blur/stupid,” in a teasing way.
• Usage: “Don’t be GL, read the instructions properly.”
• Intensity: More playful than offensive among close friends.

67. Pon-pon-chiak

• Meaning: Joking reference to skipping responsibilities and going to eat.
• Example: “He pon-pon-chiak during lessons again.”
• Lighthearted School Slang: Combines “pon” (skip) with “chiak” (eat).

68. Rojak

• Meaning: Mixed or eclectic, also a local salad dish.
• Usage: “Our class is so rojak—people from all backgrounds.”
• Symbol of Diversity: Emphasizes Singapore’s multicultural society.

69. Swee

• Meaning: Perfect or beautiful.
• Usage: “Your project is swee, no changes needed!”
• Positive Feedback: Great word to praise someone’s work.

70. Lelong

• Meaning: Auction or clearance, often implying a cheap sale.
• Usage: “Company having a lelong sale for old equipment.”
• Market Lingo: Also used metaphorically for selling or discarding items.

8. Getting Around & Directions (71–80)

71. MRT

• Meaning: Mass Rapid Transit, Singapore’s train system.
• Usage: “Take MRT to Orchard, very convenient.”
• Local Transport Tip: Everyone depends on MRT for quick transit.

72. Tap in / Tap out

• Meaning: Using EZ-Link card on buses or MRT.
• Example: “Don’t forget to tap out, or you’ll be charged extra.”
• Everyday Advice: Key to navigating public transport cheaply.

73. ERP

• Meaning: Electronic Road Pricing—toll system for roads.
• Usage: “ERP rates go up during peak hour.”
• Insider Knowledge: Drivers pay attention to ERP gantries to avoid high charges.

74. Auntie / Uncle

• Meaning: Respectful (or casual) way to address older people, including drivers and stall owners.
• Usage: “Uncle, can you drop me at Bugis?”
• Cultural Etiquette: Reflects a family-like social structure.

75. Chope

• Meaning: Reserving a seat, often with a tissue packet.
• Usage: “I chope this table already, see my tissue pack?”
• Hawker Centre Hack: Quintessential Singapore skill.

76. Balik kampung

• Meaning: Returning to one’s hometown, often said casually even in Singapore context.
• Usage: “During holidays, I balik kampung to Johor.”
• Cross-Border Culture: Many Singaporeans have relatives in Malaysia.

77. Walk one big round

• Meaning: Taking a lengthy route.
• Usage: “The mall is so big, we walked one big round just to find the exit!”
• Exaggeration: Describes the frustration of searching around.

78. Jalan jalan

• Meaning: “Go for a walk” or “take a leisurely stroll,” borrowed from Malay.
• Usage: “Let’s jalan jalan in town after lunch.”
• Casual Pleasure: Common pastime in Singapore’s many shopping areas.

79. Shortcut

• Meaning: A direct path or easier route, widely used in daily conversations.
• Example: “Take this shortcut behind the HDB block.”
• Urban Navigation: Handy for exploring back alleys and hidden routes.

80. HDB

• Meaning: Housing & Development Board flats—public housing in Singapore.
• Usage: “I live in a 4-room HDB in Tampines.”
• Cultural Staple: Majority of Singaporeans reside in HDB estates.

9. Personal & Relationship Slang (81–90)

81. Tompang

• Meaning: To hitch a ride or ask a favor to carry something.
• Example: “Can I tompang your car to the MRT?”
• Social Courtesy: Commonly used among friends.

82. Relek

• Meaning: “Relax,” shortened from the English word.
• Usage: “Don’t worry, relek lah.”
• Chill Vibes: Encourages calmness and no-stress attitude.

83. Gabra

• Meaning: Confused or flustered.
• Example: “She got gabra when the teacher asked questions.”
• Everyday Anxiety: Reflects that rushed feeling when unprepared.

84. Jialat

• Meaning: Terrible situation or “gone case.”
• Usage: “My phone died in the rain—jialat man.”
• Severity Scale: Conveys dire circumstances.

85. Yang

• Meaning: Loved one or sweetheart, from Malay “sayang.”
• Usage: “Hello, yang, you reached home or not?”
• Romantic Touch: Softens interactions with significant others.

86. Chop

• Meaning: To stamp or reserve.
• Example: “Quick, chop the seat at the hawker center!”
• Synonym to Chope: Emphasizes the act of marking territory.

87. Filial

• Meaning: Showing respect and care for one’s parents.
• Usage: “He’s very filial, visits his parents every day.”
• Cultural Value: Traditional virtue highly regarded in Singapore.

88. Steady bom pi pi

• Meaning: Very steady, reliable.
• Usage: “Ask him for help, he’s steady bom pi pi.”
• Quirky Singlish Flavor: Fun phrase that adds color to compliments.

89. Gao lat

• Meaning: Big trouble.
• Example: “If you don’t hand in your project, you gao lat liao.”
• Warning Sign: Used in serious or joking contexts.

90. Sedikit juga

• Meaning: “Just a little,” mixing Malay with Singlish.
• Usage: “I speak Malay sedikit juga.”
• Cultural Blend: Illustrates Singapore’s multi-language environment.

10. Final 10: Mix & Match (91–100)

91. Don’t pray pray

• Meaning: “Don’t joke around,” or “Take it seriously.”
• Usage: “Don’t pray pray with the police, you can get fined.”
• Comedy Factor: Popularized in local TV comedies.

92. Ah Beng / Ah Lian

• Meaning: Stereotypical gangster-like or loud-dressing Chinese youth.
• Usage: “That hairstyle very Ah Beng style.”
• Social Stereotype: Often used jokingly to describe flamboyant behavior.

93. Zhou bo

• Meaning: To slack off or do nothing.
• Example: “He zhou bo all day at work, how come never get caught?”
• Workplace Humor: A playful jab at lazy colleagues.

94. Catch no ball

• Meaning: “I don’t understand.”
• Usage: “He explained so fast, I catch no ball.”
• Visual Metaphor: Like failing to catch a thrown ball.

95. Talk cock

• Meaning: Chat idly or nonsense talk.
• Usage: “We talked cock until midnight at the kopi tiam.”
• Bonding Method: Often done over drinks or late-night suppers.

96. Hand itchy

• Meaning: Feeling an urge to do something, often shopping or gambling.
• Example: “My hand itchy to buy that new phone.”
• Relatable Habit: Expresses impulsive desires.

97. Might as well

• Meaning: “Since we’re already here, do it.”
• Usage: “We’re at the mall, might as well watch a movie.”
• Easy Decision-Making: Encourages spontaneity.

98. U lu, gu lu

• Meaning: A playful way of saying “random places” or “middle of nowhere.”
• Usage: “We ended up in some ulu gu lu location last night.”
• Exaggeration Factor: Emphasizes remoteness or obscurity.

99. Win already lor

• Meaning: You’ve succeeded or “You’re the winner,” often sarcastically.
• Usage: “You got free tickets? Win already lor!”
• Tongue-in-Cheek: Praises while also poking fun.

100. Up lorry

• Meaning: “Game over,” “finished,” or “dead.”
• Usage: “If we miss the last MRT, we up lorry liao.”
• Dark Humor: Typically used comically for disastrous outcomes.

Conclusion

You’ve just unlocked 100 essential Singlish terms that can help you navigate Singapore’s hawker centers, chit-chat with locals, or simply impress new friends. From “lah” to “up lorry,” you now possess a toolkit of expressions that captures the rhythm and spirit of local Singaporean life.

Key Takeaways:

• Context is crucial. Some words might sound casual among friends but could be inappropriate in formal settings.
• Singlish is a cultural tapestry. Influenced by Malay, Mandarin, Hokkien, Tamil, and English, it reflects the country’s multicultural soul.
• Have fun experimenting! Locals often appreciate a good “lah” or “shiok” from newcomers—it shows you’re embracing the local flavor.

Did you find a favorite Singlish term in this guide? Share your thoughts in the comments, subscribe for more language guides, and pass this article to anyone keen on learning about Singaporean slang! And if you’re ready to experience Singapore yourself, check out Visit Singapore for travel tips, events, and more.

Remember: “Don’t pray pray”—use your new Singlish words wisely, and you’ll blend right in. Safe travels and happy chatting, lah!

See Also: Caribbean Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms to Embrace Island Vibes