The expat’s guide to Singlish
Singlish, or Singaporean English, is a unique blend of English with influences from Malay, Chinese dialects, and Tamil. It’s widely spoken in Singapore and adds a colorful twist to everyday conversations. Here’s a guide to some common Singlish phrases:
Common Singlish Phrases
Lah: Used to emphasize a point.
Example: “Don’t worry lah, everything will be fine.”
Lor: Used to indicate resignation or agreement.
Example: “If you say so lor.”
Leh: Used to soften a statement or make it more persuasive.
Example: “Can you help me leh?”
Aiyoh: An expression of surprise or frustration.
Example: “Aiyoh, why did you do that?”
Alamak: Equivalent to “oh my gosh” or “oh no.”
Example: “Alamak, I forgot my keys!”
Bo jio: Hokkien for not getting an invitation.
Example: “You went to the party? Bo jio!”
Chope: To reserve a place or call dibs.
Example: “Can you chope a seat for me?”
Kiasu: Describes someone who is afraid to lose out.
Example: “He’s so kiasu, always trying to be first.”
Paiseh: Feeling embarrassed or shy.
Example: “Paiseh, I didn’t mean to bump into you.”
Shiok: Used to describe something very enjoyable or delicious.
Example: “This food is so shiok!”
Catch no ball: To be clueless or not understand something.
Example: “I catch no ball in this meeting.”
Sian: Feeling bored or tired.
Example: “I’m so sian today.”
Kaypoh: Being nosy or a busybody.
Example: “Stop being so kaypoh!”
Jialat: Describes a bad situation.
Example: “This project is jialat, so many problems.”
Agak agak: To estimate roughly.
Example: “How much sugar to add? Just agak agak.”
Tips for Using Singlish
Context is Key: Singlish is often used in informal settings among friends and family.
Tone Matters: The tone and context can change the meaning of a phrase.
Mix and Match: Feel free to mix Singlish with standard English for a more authentic feel.
Singlish is a fun and expressive way to communicate, reflecting Singapore’s multicultural heritage. Give it a try and you’ll be chatting like a local in no time!
