- "This morning I took 5 minutes longer than usual to do my makeup. I went downstairs and JUST missed my bus and was late for work. So suay!"
- "Suay ah! Just now I was walking under a tree and a bird shat on me!!!"
Friday, February 26, 2016
"suay"
"Suay" is the Hokkien word for unlucky. Examples of use include:
"shiok"
"Shiok" is an expression of pleasure. It can be used in the following ways:
- "This laksa so shiok!"
- (After walking out of the heat into an air-conditioned room): "Shiok!"
Saturday, February 20, 2016
"paiseh"
"Paiseh" is an expression of embarrassment or apology in Hokkien (a Chinese dialect). Sometimes used as "excuse me".
For example:
For example:
- (After accidentally bumping into someone) "Paiseh paiseh, didn't see you standing there."
- "The food is over there, no need paiseh, just help yourself!"
- "Paiseh, can you help me with this?"
Source: http://singternet.wikia.com/wiki/Paiseh
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
"angmoh"
This is a racial label for white people. It literally means “red hair” in Hokkien (a Chinese dialect). The word can be used as a noun: if you’re white you’ll be called an angmoh. Singaporeans might also use this word as an adjective. There are angmoh countries (USA, Britain, New Zealand, etc.), angmoh food, and angmoh movies.
Source: http://www.cullenhartley.com/2009/05/10-singlish-words-to-learn/
Source: http://www.cullenhartley.com/2009/05/10-singlish-words-to-learn/
"makan"
Makan is the Malay word for eat. Singaporeans will frequently say, “Let’s go makan.” They also might invite you to a makan session.
Eating is, perhaps, the most important thing in Singaporean culture. On many occasions I’ve been greeted the phrase “makan already?” instead of “hello” or “how are you?”
Source: http://www.cullenhartley.com/2009/05/10-singlish-words-to-learn/
"lah"
"Lah" in Singlish is a discourse particle in Linguistics terms, that is, a word or a particle that does not change the semantic meaning of the sentence, but for pragmatic functions such as indicating tone. Examples of Usage: "There's something here for everyone lah."
Lah is used to emphasize certain words and make sentences more emphatic. You may hear Singaporeans say, “Cannot, lah” or “Don’t hurry, lah.”
Sources:
Lah is used to emphasize certain words and make sentences more emphatic. You may hear Singaporeans say, “Cannot, lah” or “Don’t hurry, lah.”
Sources:
- https://www.quora.com/Why-do-Singaporeans-say-lah-at-the-end-of-every-sentence
- http://www.cullenhartley.com/2009/05/10-singlish-words-to-learn/
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