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.

峇峇
bā bā
baba
峇迪
bā dí
batik
草根
cǎo gēn
grassroots
酬神戏
chóu shén xì
Chinese opera performed for the gods
春到河畔迎新年
chūn dào hé pàn yíng xīn nián
River Hong Bao
大宝森节
dà bǎo sēn jié
Thaipusam
大伯公
dà bó gōng
Tua Pek Kong
淡马锡
dàn mǎ xī
Temasek
淡米尔语文节
dàn mǐ ěr yǔ wén jié
Tamil Language Festival
多元种族
duō yuán zhǒng zú
Multi-racial
辜加警察团
gū jiā jĭng chá tuán
Gurkha Contingent
观音妈
guān yīn mā
Avalokiteśvara (colloquially known as guan yim ma)
哈芝节
hā zhī jié
Hari Raya Haji
海峡华人
hăi xiá huá rén
Straits Chinese
好兄弟
hăo xīong dì
good brothers (supernatural spirits)
红毛
hóng máo
caucasians / westerners (colloquially known as ang mo)
红头巾
hóng tóu jīn
samsui women (red headscarf)
华巫印
huá wū yìn
Chinese, Malay, and Indian
华乐
huá yuè
Chinese orchestra
挥春
huī chūn
Traditional decoration for Chinese New Year