6 Singlish Phrases to learn before your next Singapore trip

Singapore is a tourist hotspot. The country received around 17 million tourists last year, more than thrice its population. Singapore has four official languages: Malay, Mandarin, English, and Tamil. Locals also speak Singlish, a mix of English, Malay, Cantonese, Tamil, Teochew, and Hokkien.

Though the local government discourages using Singlish as part of its Speak Good English campaign, the language is far from becoming extinct shortly.

You will most likely encounter locals using the language on your Singapore tour. The post lists some common Singlish phrases you must know to help you stay on the same page and avoid confusion when communicating with them. Read on.

6 Singlish Phrases That Tourists Must Know

Singaporean local dialect can be fun. But learning it may be hectic.

Can Can Lah. Gear up. Learn some basic Singlish that will help you in your trip. But there’s a reason why we call it so. There’s a good blend of english here.

In other words, some common Singaporean words find their place in everyday Asian English diction here. Hence making up Singlish.

Why Singlish?

It’s not something offbeat, used exclusively for tourists. Most day-to-day conversations use Singlish.

In 1973, the term Singlish developed. Now, the Oxford Dictionary accredits it, too. The Essential phrases every tourist needs to know We will first learn the segment of phrases that are essential for travelers. Then, we will learn the other ones.

Can

You will find random people using the term on the streets of Singapore. However, there’s a sweet difference between Singlish and English.

In Singlish, the meaning of Can can vary according to the tone. That’s not all. You often use it with a modifier to distinguish its meaning in each case.

Let’s see how you may use it while traveling there:

“Can or Not?” means Can you do this?
Again, Can mean Yes, I can.
Also, Can meh can mean- are you sure of it?
Can Lah can also be used to say- Well, obviously!

Onz

Onz or On-z is an affirming word. It means Yes in an inclusive way. However, Onz can also be a polite connotation of an everyday “Yes.” Let’s say you want to say, “I confirm that,” formally. You may use Onz instead. Both convey the same meaning.

But people use the term colloquially nowadays. For instance, Onz can reflect your encouragement or participation in something. Its use case has changed slightly, too. However, the primary meaning remains unchanged.

Instead of Onz, the formal term that now means ‘conformation’ is Steady bom pi pi.

Ulu

Many people in Singapore frequently use this term every day. A popular Singlish term, Ulu, means to check back. Formally, you may say ‘Ulu’ when asking someone to get out of the way.

But, the term is used more colloquially now.

For example, traffic in Singapore could be improved. You will need at least one hour to reach the spot by public transport. So, many people use the term to indicate to fellow travelers or drivers that they must clear the way.

There may be many more. However, the most picked terms are here. I recommend buying a Singlish guidebook for further reference.

Which Six Phrases Are Most Popular Among Tourists in Singapore

Now, let’s dive into the six phrases we discussed. These phrases are hit now. So, I suggest learning the terminology before visiting Singapore.

1. ‘Die Die Must Try’

The locals use this term. It hints at something the other person should do or try desperately. When someone says Die Die Must Try, it is worth trying, despite the chances of failure. Suppose you are challenging. If you try the odds, it may aggravate the problem. However, trying the odds may be the only option left. In that case, someone may say- Die Die Must Try.

2. ‘Catch no Ball’

‘Catch no ball’ is the local way of saying they do not get whatever is said. The phrase is derived from ‘liak bo kiu’ in the Hokkien dialect. You, however, cannot use the phrase the other way and say catchball to let the speaker know you understand what they are saying.

3. ‘Blur Like Sotong’

Sotong in Malay means squid, an animal that squirts ink in their predator’s eyes, blurring their vision and making it difficult for them to concentrate. The locals use the phrase for clumsy people who are slow at understanding things and are always clueless and confused.

4. ‘Talk Cock’

The origin of talk cock comes from the famous English phrase ‘a cock and bull story’ that is used to signify over-the-top stories. The locals use the phrase when the other person is not speaking or uttering gibberish. There’s an extension of this phrase- talk cock, sing-song, which is used to denote gossip done by friends during a get-together.

5. ‘Why you so Like That’

Locals use the phrase to denote frustration when the other person acts annoyingly. When a Singaporean uses this phrase, they ask the other person, “Why are you behaving this way”?

6. ‘Oi! Wake up Your Idea’

If a local uses this phrase, you must be more attentive as they ask you to develop more productive ideas and start thinking straight. The locals use sarcastic phrases to let the other person know their ideas are not taking the discussion anywhere, indicating that they need to up their game.

Start Learning Today

These are some of the most common Singlish phrases used by locals in Singapore. The list, however, is a partial one, and there are many other phrases Singaporeans use daily.

To avoid confusion, hire a tourist guide for your Singapore tour. A local who knows these and other Singlish terms can help you.

There are ample Singlish guides available online and offline. So, grab one and learn Singlish without worries.

This guide compiles the best phrases you can use on the streets of Singapore. Comment below if you know other relevant Singlish phrases for tourists.