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.

咖喱卜
gā lí bo
curry puff
干巴刹
gān bā shā
dry market
甘榜
gān băng
village (colloquially known as kampung)
甘榜格南
gān bǎng gé nán
Kampong Glam
甘榜精神
gān bǎng jīng shén
kampung spirit
敢敢
gǎn gǎn
daringly and boldy
高才班
gāo cái bān
Gifted Education Programme
搞掂
gǎo diān
to get something done (colloquially known as gao dim)
高架公路
gāo jià gōng lù
overpass
高警戒解封阶段
gāo jǐng jiè jiě fēng jiē duàn
Heightened Alert
高丽菜
gāo lì cài
cabbage
㗝呸店
gāo pēi diàn
coffee shop (colloquially known as kopi tiam)
割车
gē chē
overtake
割名
gē míng
ownership transfer
公共假日
gōng gòng jià rì
public holiday
共管式公寓
gòng guǎn shì gōng yù
executive condominium
共和联邦
gòng hé lián bāng
Commonwealth of Nations
公积金
gōng jī jīn
Central Provident Fund (CPF)
公路电子收费
gōng lù diàn zǐ shōu feì
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)
公司
gōng sī
clan associations or organisations (colloquially known as kong see))