1/3/22, 11:58 AM Languages of Singapore - What Languages are Spoken in Singapore?

Home / Articles / Languages of Singapore - A ...

ART & CULTURE

Languages of Singapore - A Detailed Guide to Singapore

Languages

The national language of Singapore is Malay while English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil are the four official
languages in Singapore. English is the most widely spoken language (primarily by the population below the age of 50),
and the medium of instructions in school. English is also the language of business and government in Singapore, based
on British English. A unique and widely spoken language in Singapore is the Singlish. It is primarily the colloquial form of
English, having a distinct accent, and ignoring the basic standards of English grammar. Having a jumble of local slang and
expressions of various languages and dialects of Singapore, speaking in Singlish is seen as a mark of being truly local!
Interestingly, all the schools in the city teach the language of the child's parentage, along with English, to ensure the child
stay in touch with the traditional roots.

Official Language of Singapore: English, Malay, Chinese Mandarin and Tamil

National Language of Singapore: Malay

De Facto Language of Singapore: English

Minority Languages in Singapore: Hokkien, Hainanese, Cantonese, Indonesian, Javanese, Japanese, Korean,
Punjabi

Language Percentage
English 37%
Mandarin 35%
Chinese Dialects 13%
Malay
By continuing to use this website, you agree10%
to our usage of cookies. Accept
Tamil 3%
https://www.holidify.com/pages/singapore-languages-629.html 1/9
1/3/22, 11:58 AM
Tamil 3% Languages of Singapore - What Languages are Spoken in Singapore?

Others 2%

1. Malay - National Language of Singapore

A billboard in Malay language (Source)

The standardized version of the Malay language in Singapore is Bahasa Melayu, spoken by nearly 13 percent of the
Singaporean population. One of the official languages, Malay was once the national language of Singapore before the
advent of the British in 1819. The Singaporean Malay is written in the Roman script known as Rumi. In the earlier days, it
was written in Jawi script which was based on Arabic. The national anthem of Singapore - ‘Majulah Singapura’, or Onward
Singapore - is also written in Malay. Malay language in Singapore is taught in schools, with the Rumi, as well as, the Jawi
script taught to the beginners.
Malay Translation Guide
No - Teedak

Hello - apakabar

Thank you - terimakasih

Good bye - se la mat jalan

Do you speak English? - Ta-hoo-kah ber -da ha sa Ingris?

Same - samasama

I don't understand - Sa-ya tee dak fa-ham

Help! - To-long!

2. English - Main Language of Singapore

By continuing to use this website, you agree to our usage of cookies. Accept
https://www.holidify.com/pages/singapore-languages-629.html 2/9
1/3/22, 11:58 AM Languages of Singapore - What Languages are Spoken in Singapore?

Source
The most widely spoken language in Singapore is English. It is spoken by a majority of the population and is a medium of
instruction in schools and the official language of business and government. Being a former Crown Colony, the English
used in Singapore is based on British English. The idea behind promoting English was to serve a unifying factor for the
multi-cultural ethnic group to have a standard dialect to communicate in. English as a major language in Singapore also
helps the country to grow and prosper in various fields at the international level. A steep rise in the percentage of the
English-speaking population has made Singapore as the leading country in Asia with maximum English speakers.
Although a whopping 32 percent of the Singaporean population speaks English, it has been found that English is their
second language.
3. Singlish in Singapore
Now Singlish sounds new to your ears, doesn't it? Singlish is Singaporean's very unique take on English with words
borrowed from Hokkien, Tamil, and Malay. Do not expect the standardized grammar or a decent accent - it is more like a
colloquial form of English with a vast vocabulary contributed by all the local dialects spoken. This fun Singapore language
is mostly broken words. Hence, do not even get the idea of drafting a formal mail to your boss in Singlish. The language
has distinct phonology with which the true Singaporeans associate themselves as their unique identity.
Singlish Translation Guide
One chicken rice to take away - One Chicken Rice da bao.

Don't need a camera tomorrow - Tomorrow dun need camera

Don't be so difficult/hard/aggressive - Don't be so kiasu lah.

Not good - not good one lah

Oh, my gosh!/What - Alamak!

Good grief this is expensive - Wah liao so expensive lah

Where is the bus stop - Where bas?

Ok - Ok lah

Correct - Corright

Black Coffee - Kopi Oh

Don't be like that - dun lai dat lah

By
Hecontinuing
doesn't know to usewhat
this website,
he is doingyou agree to blur
- He so our usage
lah
of cookies. Accept
I am flying Singapore Airlines I fly SQ lah
https://www.holidify.com/pages/singapore-languages-629.html 3/9
1/3/22, 11:58 AM Languages of Singapore - What Languages are Spoken in Singapore?
I am flying Singapore Airlines - I fly SQ lah

Iced Coffee - Kopi Ais

I can't hear you, can you repeat - repeat again or Ha?

How is that possible - How can lah?

I want to go to Orchard Station - I wan go Orchard MRT

4. Mandarin in Singapore

Source
Huayu or Mandarin is the official Chinese dialect spoken in Singapore. People here use simplified Chinese words mostly
borrowed from Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, and Hainanese dialects. Mandarin is the official mother tongue for the
Chinese Singaporeans. With the growing usage of English, the use of the Mandarin language in Singapore has witnessed
a decline in recent years, but the Singaporean government has been promoting it as the primary link to Chinese culture
and tradition. There was even a time when the other Chinese dialects were banned from different media channels, and
Mandarin was the only popular choice as a medium of education in schools. 

Mandarin Translation Guide

Hello - Ni hao (Nee how)

How are you? - Ni hao ma? (Nee how ma)

Very good - Hen hao (hun hao)

My name is. . . - Wo demingzi shi. . . (Wuo duh mingzuhshih ...)

Excuse me - Duì bú qi (dweì bú chi)

Please - qing (ching)

Thank you - Xiè xiè (shièh shièh)

Do you speak English - Ni huì jiang Yingyu ma? (Nee hueijeeang Ying you ma.)

I don't understand - Wo ting bù dong.

Friends - péngyou (pung yo)

Danger - weí xiàn (way shien)

Good-bye - Zaìjiàn (dsaì jiàn)

5. Tamil in Singapore

By continuing to use this website, you agree to our usage of cookies. Accept
https://www.holidify.com/pages/singapore-languages-629.html 4/9
1/3/22, 11:58 AM Languages of Singapore - What Languages are Spoken in Singapore?

Source
It might sound astounding but believe it when we say that 9.2 percent of the Singaporean population are Indians,
according to the population census in 2010. It was also found out that approximately 76.7 percent of these Indians spoke
Tamil as their native language. Hence, Tamil was selected as an official language of Singapore after a significant
population of Indians from the state of Tamil Nadu region moved here. The other Indian languages spoken by the
minorities in Singapore include Kannada, Telugu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Hindi, Malayalam, and Gujarati.
Tamil Translation Guide
Hi! - Alo!

Good morning! - Kaalai Vanakkam

Good evening! - Maalai Vanakkam

Thanks- Romba Nandri

One moment please! - Oru nimidam!

Excuse me! ( to pass by) - Mannikanum (or) Alo!

Can you help me? - Enakku udhavi seivienkala?

How are you? -Eppadi irukkinga? (or) Nalamaa?

Welcome! (to greet someone) -Vaazhga!

I'm fine, thanks! Nallaa irukéan! (or) Nalam! , Nandri!

And you? - Nienga?

Good/ So-So -Sari

You're welcome! (for "thank you") - Paravaa illa

Good night! - Iravu vanakkam

Goodbye! - Poittu varén!

Linguistic Landscape of Singapore - Need to Know
The signs are color-coded in Singapore and are categorized by their functions - 
Brown sign with white words - Sign pointing to attractions
Green sign with white words - road signs and street names
With
By the necessary
continuing information
to use this website, youabout
agreethe Singapore
to our languages, now you have a good idea about what to expect Accept
usage of cookies. there.
Not only that, but the common phrases in various languages spoken across Singapore are also going to be your
https://www.holidify.com/pages/singapore-languages-629.html 5/9
1/3/22, 11:58 AM Languages of Singapore - What Languages are Spoken in Singapore?

companion when you would like to start a small conversation and make new friends. In case you want to know beyond the
basics of Singaporean languages then there are plenty of handbooks, online guides, apps available quickly in the market
which will prepare you to be conversational within a matter of a couple of months.

This post was published by Deepshri Mishra

Share this post on social media

Facebook
Twitter
Google +

FAQs on Singapore
Which language is mostly spoken in Singapore?

Is Tamil spoken in Singapore?

Is English widely spoken in Singapore?

Why do Singaporeans say can?

4.7 /5 Places to visit in Singapore

Lazarus Island Gardens by the Bay Sentosa Island
View 259 places to visit in Singapore

See all Read More Hotels in Singapore

photos

Related Articles

TRAVEL TIPS ART & CULTURE ART & CULTURE

Singapore Weather in January - 18 Facts About Singapore That Make Culture of Singapore - Where East
Decoding it for You! This City MORE Fascinating! Meets West!

ART & CULTURE ART & CULTURE ART & CULTURE

5 Traditional Dresses of Singapore That Religion in Singapore - Top 5 Religions, 10 Best Art Galleries In Singapore - The
Portray Singapore's Diversity Festivals & Places of Worship World Of Contemporary Art

By continuing to use this website, you agree to our usage of cookies. Accept
https://www.holidify.com/pages/singapore-languages-629.html 6/9
1/3/22, 11:58 AM Languages of Singapore - What Languages are Spoken in Singapore?

ART & CULTURE ART & CULTURE ART & CULTURE

Know About The History Of Singapore Dances of Singapore - 6 Dances That Music of Singapore - All About
Portray Singapore's Vast Diversity Singapore's Diverse & Bustling Music

ART & CULTURE EXPERIENCES ROMANTIC & HONEYMOON

15 Best Yoga Studios in Singapore to Singapore's Weather In December - Soak 25 Places to Visit in Singapore for
Watch Out For! In The Christmasy Vibes! Couples: Ultimate List of Romantic
Places in Singapore

FAIRS & FESTIVALS TOP PLACES SHOPPING

New Year in Singapore - 16 Places in Places to Chill in Singapore 10 Best Things to Buy in Singapore - The
Singapore to Ring in 2021 in Style Ultimate List of Souvenirs

EXPERIENCES BEACHES & ISLANDS FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Top 18 Sunrise & Sunset Points in Top 10 Islands In Singapore That Are A 16 Festivals in Singapore: Experience the
Singapore Must-Visit Multi-Ethnic Culture

SHOPPING ADVENTURE ADVENTURE

Street Markets In Singapore For Every Horse Riding in Singapore - 6 Riding Cruises in Singapore - Sail Away by
Shopaholic Clubs to Gallop into Glory! These 8 Cruises from Singapore

FOOD & DRINK ADVENTURE ADVENTURE

20 Classic Singaporean Desserts - The Hiking in Singapore - 21 Hiking Trails For Top 10 Places for Fishing in Singapore for
Perfect Sweet Saviour That Little Dose of Adventure a Great Catch

By continuing to use this website, you agree to our usage of cookies. Accept
https://www.holidify.com/pages/singapore-languages-629.html 7/9
1/3/22, 11:58 AM Languages of Singapore - What Languages are Spoken in Singapore?

TOP PLACES FOOD & DRINK FOOD & DRINK

Top 10 Super Cool & Iconic Must-See Street Food in Singapore - The Ultimate 40 Instagram-worthy Cafes in Singapore
Buildings Of Singapore Food Guide For Gastronomic Pleasure & Caffeine Fix

ROMANTIC & HONEYMOON ADVENTURE NIGHTLIFE

Top 21 Romantic Restaurants In Water Parks in Singapore Nightlife in Singapore - An Ultimate
Singapore For Your Next Date! Guide to Enjoy Singapore At Night

WILDLIFE & NATURE

21 Gardens in Singapore To Give You A
Well Deserved Nature Experience!

Comments on this post

0 Comments Sort by Oldest

Add a comment...

Facebook Comments Plugin

Top Places in Singapore

Lazarus Island Gardens by the Bay Sentosa Island

Pulau Ubin Haw Par Villa Singapore Botanic Gardens

By continuing to use this website, you agree to our usage of cookies. Accept
l li
https://www.holidify.com/pages/singapore-languages-629.html 8/9
1/3/22, 11:58 AM Languages of Singapore - What Languages are Spoken in Singapore?

Recently Published
TRAVEL TIPS
Singapore Weather in January - Decoding it for You!

ART & CULTURE

18 Facts About Singapore That Make This City MORE Fascinating!

ART & CULTURE

Culture of Singapore - Where East Meets West!

ART & CULTURE

5 Traditional Dresses of Singapore That Portray Singapore's Diversity

ART & CULTURE

Religion in Singapore - Top 5 Religions, Festivals & Places of Worship

ART & CULTURE

10 Best Art Galleries In Singapore - The World Of Contemporary Art

Explore Holidify
Destinations About Us
Discover your next holiday Collections Write For Us
destination
Hotels Privacy
Packages Terms
Currency

© Holidify Travels Pvt Ltd.- All Right Reserved

By continuing to use this website, you agree to our usage of cookies. Accept
https://www.holidify.com/pages/singapore-languages-629.html 9/9