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.

抵步
dǐ bù
reach (a place)
地段
dì duàn
district
地牛
dì niú
Sanitary inspector (colloquially known as te gu)
电动人行道
diàn dòng rén xíng dào
travelator
电缆电视
diàn lǎn diàn shì
cable television
吊架
diào jià
suspended scaffold
调头
diào tóu
to make a U-turn
钓鱼
diào yú
Chinese tea
顶限
dǐng xiàn
limit
东陵
dōng líng
Tanglin
恫言
dòng yán
threaten
豆卜
dòu bǔ
tau pok
豆豆班
dòu dòu bān
toddler class
豆腐街
dòu fǔ jiē
Upper Chin Chew Street
豆花水
dòu huā shuǐ
soya bean milk
豆爽
dòu shuǎng
tau suan
赌船
dǔ chuán
gambling ship
嘟嘟糕
dū dū gāo
kueh tutu
独立候选人
dú lì hòu xuǎn rén
independent candidate
独立桥
dú lì qiáo
Merdeka Bridge