7 Must-Know Singlish Words to get around Singapore
We steady one. Confirm plus chop.
This long weekend, everyone is out and about to celebrate Singapore’s birthday in all forms, either catching the National Day Parade or admiring the massive fireworks display at the Marina Bay area.
If you’re new to Singapore, the best way to get around the country is to learn and master our colloquial lingo, Singlish.
The unique slang of “Lah, Leh and Lor” rolls off the tongue of every Singaporean, and when you think about it. It’s almost like the universal “Do, Re, Mi”.
To get into the groove like the Singaporean version of the Von Trapp Family and learn how to use these 7 common Singlish Words in your daily conversations.
At INSIDE, we're going to lead by example. INSIDE is going all out Singlish. Read, learn (and laugh).
1. Kiasu - A Hokkien term that means “afraid of losing out”, and describing someone as trying to get ahead of others.
Us Singaporeans are a competitive bunch. We everything also die die need to win. That's because we are kiasu.
To embrace your kiasu side, you can use the tissue paper and chope (see word #5) the table but now got technology, even better. Go check out the newly opened KopiTech foodcourt at Funan where ordering food is fast and easy with the self-service kiosks and an e-payment system that accepts a wide range of payment modes. You can even order your food on Facebook messenger before you reach. Kiasu to the max.
Are you feeling very huat? (rich) Do you have some crytocurrency stashed away? You can use your bitcoins at KopiTech and order your favourite Bak Chor Mee or Laksa. Lai stat!
2. Shiok - Defined as a feeling of sheer pleasure.
Because living the Singapore dream is more than just speaking Singlish. You need to live your best Singapore life. You need to stand up for Singapore, it needs to be shiok. In Singapore, that means food. A lot of food.
From bubble tea to local treats, you can choose many things. Now, you can add more things to your list. If you’ve had too much mehdonner and tried (and fallen in love with Shake Shack), you can now chope (see word #5) your bros' time and prepare for a year-end trip to Plaza Singapura’s FIVE GUYS.
We got tell you a many things about the burger place, but we're experts after spotting many exam questions and doing too many ten-year series. So, we only have 5 points for your to remember (like your chinese idiom handbook):
1) No freezers, just coolers – so you always get fresh ground beef in your burger patties. Can almost hear the cow.
2) Five bros (real one - they are actual brothers, not your NS platoon mate kind) from the Murrell family, started their first outlet in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. back in 1986 (same year that Raffles City Singapore was completed).
3) If it’s good enough for the Obamas, it’s good enough for us. We never bluff you. Watch the video and see how Barack Obama likes his cheeseburger
4) If you're on a diet (or you want to make space for their milkshakes), there's a "little" option - Little Handburger, Little Cheeseburger, Little Bacon Burger, Little Bacon Cheeseburger. If you don't want to eat so much, here also got Grilled Cheese sandwich. When you see the cheese pull apart, the feeling is damn shiok.
5) At Five Guys, their pattern more than badminton. Their milkshake menu got 10 mix-ins, like Bacon, Bananas, Cherries, Chocolate, Coffee, Malted Milk, Oreo Cookie Pieces, Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel, Strawberries. They also got 15 toppings to choose from (Mayo, Lettuce, Pickles, Tomatoes, Grilled Onions, Grilled Mushrooms, Ketchup, Mustard, Relish, Onions, Jalapeño Peppers, Green Peppers, Bar-B-Que Sauce, Hot Sauce, A1 Sauce), so you need to jio (see below) as many kiasu friends as possible so can try them all like pokemon.
3. Bo Jio - A way of expressing FOMO (fear of missing out). To call someone out when you’re not invited.
Don't say we boJio. Nowsadays, other people say 'FOMO', but in Singapore, we say bojio.
And if you're a true-blue Marvel fan, we want to Jio you to Bugis Junction from 9 to 18 August and get up close with the Hot Toys Exhibition 2019!
If you want to be kiasu and get your hands on the iconic Endgame Iron Man Mark LXXXV Battle Damaged (Special Edition) along with the 1/6th special edition collectibles, they will be open for pre-order exclusively at the exhibition.
4. Can - A versatile term that means “okay” or a way of asking if something is possible.
This versatile and magical term can be used in many many different sitations. Here is a guide:
Can = Yes
Can lor = okayyyy
Can or not? = Is this ok?
Sure can = No problem!
Can meh? = How sure are you?
Can liao = Ok i've done it
Can already = finished it
Can one la = Easy!
Can ah? = Can this be done?
Can hor? = You sure?
Can hor? Can one la. Can? Can.
5. Chope - An act of reserving a place.
The chope culture is very real and it is here to stay. Confirm. If you're new to Singapore's Central Business District and looking to grab some lunch, Don't blur. This one must learn.
If you see the table got a packet of tissue, it means someone has choped the table. No sorcery, just a common understanding in Singapore.
Somemore, when you finish your meal, you can wipe your mouth with that very same packet of tissue.
We say first, you don't anyhow chope.
This only works at many koptiams and hawker centres in Singapore's CBD, but you are going somewhere atas (see next word), then don't need. Ok? Can.
6. Atas - A Malay term that is used to describe something as “upper class” or “posh”.
If you’re still thinking of an atas surprise for your girlfriend or boyfriend this long weekend (a 4-day weekend!?), say no more. Just because other people more kiasu than you and have booked up all the air tickets, you still can have an atas weekend, do staycation can?
You can nua (laze) your entire Sunday away by the infinity pool at Ascott Raffles Place Singapore. If you want some privacy and quiet, can play with bubbles and soak your troubles away in the tub at Ascott Orchard Singapore. The most atas of all, is when you're number one. Be among the first to experience coliving at lyf Funan Singapore, book now! Don't wait long long.
7. Paiseh - A Hokkien term that means embarrassing, or being shy.
It's perfectly fine if you feel paiseh to try these new Singlish words you've just acquired. In fact, we hope we've not 'paiseh' ourselves in trying to write in article Singlish. Just get out there and give it a go. Can or not? Jio your friends