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
杂工
zá gōng
odd-job worker
战备军人
zhàn bèi jūn rén
Operationally Ready National Serviceman
政联公司
zhèng lián gōng sī
Government-Linked Companies (GLC)
制服人员
zhì fú rén yuán
uniformed officer
智障
zhì zhàng
intellectually disabled
中途之家
zhōng tú zhī jiā
halfway house
中元会
zhōng yuán huì
a group that organises activities for Hungry Ghost Festival
自雇人士
zì gù rén shì
self-employed
宗乡会馆
zōng xiāng huì guǎn
Clan Association
座办
zuò bàn
manager