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.

拉茶
lā chá
teh-tarik
垃圾虫劳改
lā jī chóng láo gǎi
Corrective Work Order (CWO)
垃圾房
lā jī fáng
bin centre
懒惰眼
lǎn duò yǎn
amblyopia (lazy eye)
廊道
láng dào
corridor
老巴刹
lǎo bā shā
Lau Pa Sat
老巴刹口
lǎo bā shà kǒu
junction of Robinson Road and Finlayson Green
老伯公边
lǎo bó gōng biān
Anson Road
老爷宫口
lǎo yé gōng kǒu
Philip Street (colloquially known as lau ya keng kao)
乐龄
lè líng
senior
乐龄公寓
lè líng gōng yù
studio apartment
乐龄中心
lè líng zhōng xīn
Senior Citizens' Centre
叻沙
lè shā
laksa
叻屿呷国库银票
lè yǔ xiā guó kù yín piào
Straits Settlement notes
冷气
lěng qì
air-conditioner
理工学院
lǐ gōng xué yuàn
polytechnic
立国一代
lì guó yí dài
Merdeka Generation
历史走道
lì shǐ zǒu dào
heritage trail
联邦
lián bāng
Federation of Malaysia (old term to refer to Malaysia)
亮灯
liàng dēng
light-up