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
机组成员
jī zǔ chéng yuán
aircraft crew
加龙古尼
jiā lóng gǔ ní
rag-and-bone man (colloquially known as karung guni)
建国一代
jiàn guó yí dài
Pioneer Generation
建屋发展局
jiàn wū fā zhǎn jú
Housing and Development Board (HDB)
讲华语运动
jiǎng huá yǔ yùn dòng
Speak Mandarin Campaign
街头党
jiē tóu dǎng
street gang
警曹
jǐng cáo
police sergeant
酒保
jiǔ bǎo
bartender
居民委员会
jū mín wěi yuan huì
Residents' Committee (RC)
客工
kè gong
migrant workers
客卿
kè qīng
visiting/guest
乐龄
lè líng
senior
立国一代
lì guó yí dài
Merdeka Generation
猎人头
liè rén tóu
headhunting
炉主
lú zhǔ
Censer Master
马坛
mǎ tán
horse racing community
民防部队
mín fáng bù duì
Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
南大诗社
nán dà shī shè
Nanyang University Poetry Society
欧亚裔
ōu yà yì
Eurasian
钱币兑换商
qián bì duì huàn shāng
money changer