Singaporean Mandarin Database

This database contains a collection of Mandarin terms which have cultural, historical or sentimental value unique to Singapore. These terms may be used by Singaporeans in the past or at present. Some of the terms are read in print while others are used in our everyday conversations.

shè qún/tuán tǐ
Communities/Organisations
船民
chuán mín
boat people
jiāo tōng
Transport
乘搭
chéng dā
ride
川行
chuān xíng
to describe a vehicle moving
fǎ zhèng
Legal/Politics
常任秘书
cháng rèn mì shū
Permanent Secretary
传召
chuán zhào
Subpoena
dì lǐ xiāng guān
Places
蔡厝港
cài cuò gǎng
Choa Chu Kang
草场
cǎo chǎng
field
长堤
cháng dī
Causeway
车厂
chē chǎng
depot
wén huà
Culture
草根
cǎo gēn
grassroots
酬神戏
chóu shén xì
Chinese opera performed for the gods
春到河畔迎新年
chūn dào hé pàn yíng xīn nián
River Hong Bao