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.

阿兵哥
ā bīng gē
National Serviceman
阿姐
ā jiě
top actress
阿窿
ā lόng
loan shark
阿明阿莲
ā míng ā lián
hooligan (colloquially known as ah beng ah lian)
阿嫂杀手
ā sǎo shā shǒu
aunty charmer
埃尔金桥
āi ěr jīn qiáo
Elgin Bridge
爱它死
ài tā sǐ
ecstasy (drug)
爱之病
ài zhī bìng
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
按柜金
àn guì jīn
deposit
安老院
ān lǎo yuàn
old folks' home
暗牌
àn pái
plainclothes police officer
岸外银行
àn wài yín háng
offshore bank
安祥山
ān xiáng shān
Ann Siang Hill
Foresty area
峇峇
bā bā
baba
峇迪
bā dí
batik
霸级市场
bà jí shì chǎng
hypermarket
巴冷刀
bā lěng dāo
parang
巴刹
bā shā
market
巴刹马兰
bā shā mǎ lán
night market (colloquially known as pasar malam)