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.

三巴旺
sān bā wàng
Sembawang
三层肉
sān céng ròu
pork belly
三房式
sān fáng shì
3-Room flats
三角牌
sān jiǎo pái
P-plate
三马路
sān mǎ lù
Queen Street
散钱
săn qián
small change
三司
sān sī
three judges in the Court of Appeal
三州府
sān zhōu fǔ
Straits Settlements
沙爹
shā diē
satay
纱丽
shā lì
sari
纱笼
shā lóng
sarong
山龟
shān gūi
a person who is ignorant or not well informed (colloquially known as sua ku)
山瑞
shān ruì
Turtle
善堂
shàn táng
charitable halls
善信
shàn xìn
devotees of a religion
山竹
shān zhú
mangosteen
上士
shàng shì
Sergeant
上诉庭
shàng sù tíng
Court of Appeal
烧烤会
shāo kǎo huì
barbecue
射脚
shè jiǎo
soccer player who is a top shooter