Singlish Consolidated List – Make A Quick Search!

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Word/Phrase Definition Example

Abuden Singaporean/Singlish version of "you don't say" Sally - 313 at Somerset hor?
Josh - Abuden! If not at Woodlands arh?
Act blur Describes someone who plays the ignorance card. Oi cb don't act blur!  Where you hide my
phone?
Ah bu neh neh/ah neh Crude Hokkien phrase referring to Indians. You cry some more! Later I call ah bu neh
neh come and catch you!
Ah Gua/Gu Niang Gay. More often used to describe someone who acts feminine. This Keith damn gu niang. Stand for 5 minutes
tired already.
Aiya Used to express disappointment or when something unpleasant Aiya, computer kena virus again.
happens.
Aiyo Can be used when you are disappointed, surprised, annoyed or Example (Disappointed): Aiyo, computer kena
in pain. virus again.
Example (Surprised): Aiyooo! Gabriel going
out on a date sia!
Example (Annoyed): Aiyo! Somebody is
kicking my leg.
Example (In Pain): Aiyoo, hammer drop on
my leg.
Alamak Used to express shock or surprise often in a bad way. Alamak, I thought the meeting was today. No
wonder no one else was there.
Always like that one Used to describe someone's bad habit. He always liddat one. Buy so much food but
can't finish.
Ang moh pai Someone who acts like a westerner. This Jess damn ang moh pai one. She cannot
even speak basic Chinese.
Anything lor Singlish phrase used when you don't really have an opinion. Jerry - Darling, what you want to eat?
Sarah - Anything lor
Jerry - *facepalm* Sh*t also can?
Arrow When someone delegates a task to you. Wa cb kena arrow by Kelvin again.
Atas To describe a person of a high social status or an expensive My dream is to eat an A5 Wagyu steak at
place. an atas restaurant with Joseph.
Blur sotong/c**k Used to describe someone who is always confused. This blur sotong. Ask him to buy chicken for
me he buy fish.
Bo chup Used to describe someone who does not care. He bo chup one. Go everywhere also wear
singlet, shorts and slippers.
Bo liao Used to show boredom or describe someone who is lame. He damn bo liao. Message me to ask me stupid
 Word/Phrase Definition Example

questions.
Bojio When someone did not invite you to hang out together. David - Yesterday, Jerry and I went to watch
Wonderwoman.
Kenny - Wa Bojio! I had no plans yesterday.
Buay pai To describe something or someone who is exceptional. That girl at 9 o'clock buay pai sia!
Buay sai Cannot. This Friday I buay sai, need to study for
Finals.
Buay tahan Cannot stand it anymore. Wa the weather so hot really buay tahan!
Can also can, cannot Used typically in a scenario when you have no choice but to say Jerry: Uncle can add milk to my Ice Kachang
also can yes. Less used by Singaporeans nowadays as it often leads to Uncle: Can also can, cannot also can!
extreme confusion.
CB Short form for Chee Bai, which translates to the v*gina. Used as That CB kia come and annoy me again.
a swear word.
Chao geng/Chao Used to describe someone who malingers. This chao geng kia everyday go see MO one.
Keng
Chao mugger Someone who studies a lot. This Kelly is a chao mugger. Everyday at the
library studying.
Chao turtle Used to express frustration and dissatisfaction. Chao turtle, that auntie didn't even say excuse
me.
Chim/cheem Used to describe something is difficult or complicated. Don't talk until so chim leh. Can simplify it
and explain to me again?
Chiobu A beautiful girl. I wish that chiobu is my gf sia... haha.
Chiong Run/Rush Faster chiong to the canteen, if not later long
queue.
Chiong sua Used to describe an SAF unit/soldier that is tough and has gone Wa he posted to NDU, everyday chiong sua.
through intensive training.
Chop chop Singlish term used to hurry people. Eh chop chop finish your work so we can go
home early.
Chope seats Usually used in coffee shop and hawkers before eating. It means Now lunch time faster chope seats or else later
to reserve seats. Putting a pack of tissue on the table is a GG.
common way to do so.
CMI Short form for cannot make it. Can be used to turn down Example 1: This Friday I CMI, got a wedding
someone or to describe a person as less than satisfactory to attend.
(derogatory). Example 2: The girl you like CMI la,
personality and looks both bad.
Come I clap for you Used sarcastically to act like you are impressed with something. Adam - Eh, yesterday I was the top scorer
when I was playing football with Ahmad they
all.
 Word/Phrase Definition Example

Alex - Wa! Come I clap for you...

Confirm plus chop / Singlish term for being very confident or sure about something. I confirm plus chop you cannot find a lower
Double confirm price outside of this store.
Dabao Means to take away food. Eh help me dabao. I am very lazy today.
Diam Used to tell someone to shut up. In army, you are not allowed to Eh diam la! Talk talk talk, your mouth not
move when you are ordered to diam. tired one meh?
Die already Another phrase to use when you or someone is in trouble. This time he confirm die already. He go tell
his CO to go f*ck himself.
Don't play play Used to tell someone not to fool around or to take a matter Don't play play hor! He black belt in
seriously. This Singlish phrase was used repeatedly by Phua Taekwondo one.
Chu Kang.
Dulan  Used when you are annoyed and outraged. Stop stealing my food, later I dulan ah!
Dunno leh Used when you are uncertain of something. Sarah - Baby, you think the red or black dress
better?
James - Dunno leh, I think both also excellent.
Eeeeeeyer Used when you are disgusted by something. "Eeeeee" is a short Eeeeeeyer, the table so dirty
form of eeeeyer.
Eye power Someone who only crowds around and looks but does not help Oi don't eye power leh! Give me a hand and
in any way. move the boxes!
Geh geh To describe someone who is putting up an act. He get get one la. One look you know he is
lying already.
Geh kiang Someone who makes a rash decision and ends up getting into He geh kiang volunteer to be the leader. Now
trouble. everyday a lot of work to do.
GG Initially used worldwide by Starcraft 2 players to mean "good Wa GG, they say this year economy very bad,
game", it is now used by Singaporeans when something bad is firing a lot of people.
going to happen.
Gong gong Hokkien for talk talk. Usually used to describe something as He gong gong only la. He doesn't have the
bullsh*t. balls to confess one.
Gostun Refers to reversing in driving. Remember to check safety when you gostun!
Gu gu bird/Gu gu  D*ck. More recently used in a cheer during a NTU orientation "Kukubird ah! Kukubird kuubird, this is our
camp. kukubird!"
Guai Lan  Used to describe an annoying person or someone who is very Wa this Henry damn guai lan, everything also
troublesome. tell me cannot.
Hao lian Describes someone who likes to show off. Hao lian bo la liang, Got full marks for Math now come hao lian la!
is a longer form of this phrase.
Heck it Singlish phrase to show that you do not care anymore. Heck it la! I'm just going to confess to Sarah
after our date tonight.
 Word/Phrase Definition Example

Hong gan Used when you or someone is in deep trouble. Hong gan liao. I just got into a traffic accident.
Hosei/Hoseh Used to describe a pleasant situation. Can also be used Example: Hosei la! Just won a 52-inch 3D
sarcastically in unpleasant situations. OLED TV from lucky draw!
Example (Sacarsm): Hosei liao la! Tom just
call boss a fat pig! He confirm hong gan!
Hum ji Describes someone who is timid. Don't hum ji lah! Want to fight then come lah!
Jialat Used to describe a bad situation. Wa jialat. It looks like it's going to rain, but I
never bring my umbrella.
Kaypoh Used to describe someone nosy. This Henry damn kaypoh, keep asking what I
do with my girlfriend.
Kena Used when something bad happens to someone. Jerry kena scolded by teacher for failing his
test.
Kenasai More severe version of kena. Translate to get into deep sh*t. He kenasai by boss for not meeting his KPI
Also used to express frustration. again.
Kiasu Translate to fear of losing. Used to describe aggressive and Wa parents nowadays so kiasu. Their children
competitive behavior. five years old start going for tuition already.
Knn Short form for Kanina, which translates to f**k your mum. Used Knn, ERP increase again!
as a swear word/profanity.
Kopi Hokkien word for coffee. Ah boy, want go lim kopi with ah gong
tomorrow morning?
Kopitiam Refers to a coffeeshop in the past. Nowadays, it mostly refers to Want to eat at kopitiam for lunch?
the food court chain.
KPKB Short form for kao pei kao bu, which translates to cry father cry James KPKB me for drinking one sip of his
mother. Used when someone makes a big deal about something. drink.
Lan lan suck thumb Used when you have no choice but to do something that you Desmond - Eh you tomorrow got SOC again
dislike or hate. Commonly used during National Service. ah? It's your 5th time le leh!
Mark - Lan lan suck thumb lorh... if not
complain to MINDEF meh?
Lao jiao  Someone who is experienced. Don't know anything ask Timothy. He is a lao
jiao.
Lao kui An alternate word to describe something embarrassing. I lost an arm wrestling challenge to a girl,
damn lao kui.
Last time policemen Used when you are discouraging someone from being nostalgic Jason - Last time in school a lot of girls come
wear shorts talk to me one hor!
Farah - Last time policemen wear shorts also.
Last warning Used on someone who annoys you so much that you feel like Eh last warning hor! Don't disturb me. I want
beating them up. to study.
Lepak To spend time walking/loitering around aimlessly. My friends and I like to lepak at JEM after
 Word/Phrase Definition Example

school.
Liddat Short form for like that. Dun liddat la. We go drink beer cheer up ok?
Lobang Tips, life hacks, and deals. Got any lobang to earn money?
Machiam Used to compare describe things that feel or look similar. Her eye bag so big machiam some panda.
Mai lai Don't try/Don't give me that. Last week you say need take care of brother.
This week you say got family outing. Mai lai!
Makan Malay word for eating. What you want to makan for dinner?
Malu Malay word for shy. To embarrass or humiliate. Wa just now our performance damn malu sia!
Neh neh pok/Neh Breast Her looks not bad but her neh neh pok damn
Neh  small.
Nehmind Short form for never mind. You don't want to help me nehmind, I can just
ask someone else.
Nia Can be used to substitute only. Occasionally has a slightly He every month earn $3000 nia. How to buy a
condescending tone to it. car?
No choice leh Used when you are left with no other options. Jones - Wa working so hard ah!
Larry - No choice leh, got a family to feed.
No link When something is unrelated to whatever you were saying. Jerry - Jordan just bought a PS4 yesterday!
Jenn - I like to eat steak!
Jerry - Huh? No link leh.
O$P$ Short form for owe money pay money. Mostly painted or #03-03 O$P$ 91234567 (Graffiti on the lift)
sprayed by loan sharks near lift lobbies.
Onz? Used to ask if someone is agreeable with a plan. This Saturday we go to the beach, onz?
Orbi good Used when you do not feel sorry for someone and feels that he Orbi good la! Tell you so many times already
or she deserves to be punished. don't want to listen.
ORD LO Favourite phrase of NSF. Chanted when one has completed his Instagram - Uploading photo with pink IC...
NS or is very near to it. ORD LO
Orh Yes/Okay. Mother - Remember to lock the door later ah!
Xavier - Orh.
Orh hor Used when trouble is incoming. Louisa - This Ms Lim damn guai lan sia. No
wonder so old already not married.
*Ms Lim walks past and overheard the
conversation*
Peter - Orh horwealthy GG. You die already!
Paiseh To express one's embarassment or to make an apology Example 1: Just now I fall down walking on
flat ground, damn paiseh sia.
Example 2: Paiseh, just now bathing can't
reply your message.
 Word/Phrase Definition Example

Pangseh Used when someone who does not turn up for meet ups or This Alex pangseh us again. Go out with his
outings with friends. gf then don't want come LAN with us.
Pokkai Used when you are broke. This month keep eating good food, pokkai
liao.
Pon To skip an activity. Short form for ponteng. I going to pon school today.
Rojak A vegetable salad dish found mainly in Singapore, Malaysia, My workplace really like rojak. Got people
and Indonesia. More often used when everything is mixed or from a lot of countries.
very messy.
Sabo Short form of sabotage. Means to create trouble or cause harm. Eh later don't sabo ah. We just keep quiet can
already.
See first Used when you are still considering or do not have an answer Justin - Friday want to Zouk?
yet. Also, a nice way to reject an invitation subtly. Mabel - I see first.
Sekali What if? Eh later we take cab can? Sekali that MRT
breakdown again how?
Shag Used to show tiredness. Shag, today need to OT again.
Shiok (MUST Used to express great satisfaction.  Wa shiok! This month got 4 long weekends!
KNOW!)
Sia la Means Oh My God. (OMG) Sia la! His father just bought him
a Lamborghini for his 21st birthday!
Sia Suay Used to describe something embarrassing. Haha he banged into the wall just now damn
sia suay!
Siam lah Singlish way to tell people to f*ck off Siam lah, stop blocking the way.
Sian Used when you are unhappy, bored or tired. Sian, tomorrow need to work again.
Sibeh Means very. Today got Barcelona vs Real Madrid match!
Sibeh excited.
Simi sai Literally means What The Sh*t. Simi said, he passed his driving in less than
two months.
Siol Similarly to lah and sia, siol is an expression used at the end of a Wa, golden bayonet siol~
sentence. Some Singaporeans tend to add ~ right after siol in
text messages.
SMLJ  Short form for simi lan jiao, which translates to what c**k. SMLJ! The clothes I bought 2 days ago now
Swear word for an unpleasant situation. got discount!
Steady Simply means yes. This Saturday we go MBS eat want or not?
James: Steady la bro!
Suan Singlish word used when someone is getting teased, often in a Don't suan me la. I know you confirm score
sarcastic way. higher than me one.
Suay Used to describe an unfortunate situation. Wa damn suay. Kena bird sh*t on my head.
 Word/Phrase Definition Example

Swaku Someone who is not well informed, or a country bumpkin. I very swaku one, never go USS before.
Swee Singlish word for perfect! I prepare everything swee swee for you
already. Don't screw it up hor!
Talk c**k When you are talking about random stuff or bullsh*t. Me and Xaver like to talk c**k.
Tau pok The situation when guys lie on top of one another to crush a Ivan - Today his birthday let's tau pok him!
person, mostly for fun. All - TAU POK!!!
Tolong Used as a cry for help. Tolong la. I will pay you back the money in 3
days.
Tyco Singlish word for lucky. Wa tyco sia! Posted as a clerk at HQ.
Ulu Some place which is not easily accessible. This restaurant damn ulu but the food is good!
Uncle / Auntie A friendly way to address middle age and above men (uncle) or That chicken uncle very nice! Give me extra
women (auntie). Can also be used for relatives. rice!
Ups/up there lah To praise someone who is a high achiever. GPA 5.0?! Up there lah!
Walao/Wapiang Used to express dissatisfaction and discontent. Walao eh! The MRT aircon why so hot one?
Wayang Someone who puts up a show to suck up to his or her superiors. This Julian like some wayang king. Superiors
around he then act like he is working. Once
they zao he slack already.
What time already Usually used on someone who is late. You are not really asking Eh what time already? Why haven't fall in!
for the time. Whole lot knock it down!
White horse Someone who is the child of an influential/powerful/wealthy Their bmt company got white horse no wonder
person. life so good.
Yaya papapya Someone who is arrogant or a show off. This guy damn yaya papaya. Everyday drive
different car come to work.
You ask me I ask When you are clearly not the right guy to answer a particular Benny - Why are we waiting so long?
who? question. Jet - You ask me I ask who?
You say leh Usually used when the answer is self-evident. Adam - Darling, can I go clubbing this
Saturday?
Rachel - You say leh?
Your head Singlish term usually used when someone is spouting nonsense Terry - Eh Mike you like Helen right!
to shut them up. Mike - I like your head la!
Zai Pro. Wa he damn zai, read one time can memorise
everything already.
Zhun bo Translates to are you sure? They say government is giving money again,
zhun bo?