Say it in Singlish

Singlish: This time cannot.

American English: We can't do it this time.



Singlish: Last year we have. This year don't have.

American English: We had it last year, but not this year.



Singlish: I like this also wan.

American English: I like this too.



Singlish: You no like?

American English: You don't like this?


These are very simple snippets, but ones that I hear almost everyday. I've learned that the Singlish sentence structure is like this because they've combined the structure of their native tongue (usually Mandarin) with the English words. That's why it comes out all jumbled to the American ear.

Say it in Singlish

Here are some of the latest gems I've heard in the world of Singaporean language:

Singlish: Luncheon Meat

American English: SPAM


Singlish: Can you borrow me a pen, lah?

American English: Can you lend me a pen?


Singlish: Can repeat again lah? I catch no ball leh.

American English: Repeat what you just said. I can't understand you.


Singlish: (I saw this on a sign) Saturday store will be close.

American English: The store will be closed on Saturday.
(The Singaporeans commonly drop off past tenses and plurals on words. It really drives me crazy and makes me wish I carried around a Sharpie marker to make corrections for them. Yes, I'm the annoying grammar girl.)

Say it in Singlish

Singlish: "Oh, you meant to tell me that you're on rubber time."


In American English: "You should have told me you were going to take your sweet ass time."


The Singaporean ladies at my new workplace taught me this one. So when someone tells you that they're going to meet you at 7 and then decide to show up at 8:30, they're on "rubber" time. It's a bit of a stretch from the original time they said.

Aaron and I live our lives on rubber time. I'm sorry for those of you on standard time.

Say it in Singlish

Actually this could just be a British thing.

Either way, it drives me up a wall.



American English: "erbs"

Singlish: "herbs" --as in, they pronounce the "H".



There's this herbal body cream commercial that keeps playing and everytime I hear it, it's like fingernails on a chalkboard.

It's "ERBS" people. The "H" is silent.

Ok. I'm done now.

Say it in Singlish

Singlish: Can lah.
How Megan and Aaron must translate: Yes, I can do that for you.


Singlish: Cannot.
How Megan and Aaron must translate: No, that's not possible.


Singlish: The room looks homely.
How Megan and Aaron must translate: The room looks home-y. (No, they're not calling it ugly. That's their British word for cozy.)


Singlish: Take-away o' having here?
How Megan and Aaron must translate: Would you like that to-go or dine-in?


Singlish: Please queue here.
How Megan and Aaron must translate: The line starts here. (You learn this quick. There is a line to do EVERYTHING in this country. There's usually a line just to get from one part of the MRT station to the other. I'm not even joking.)


Singlish: 4D's
How Megan and Aaron must translate: Tickets in the Singaporean lottery. This made for an awkward conversation for Aaron as he thought Simon was always talking about getting a "forty" ouncer of beer after work everyday. Simon had a good laugh.

Say it in Singlish

I've decided to start an occasional update called "Say it in Singlish" as a way to show you kids at home the kinds of things I hear everyday. I'm constantly asking people to repeat themselves or asking them what the heck they've just said. I'll post these little snippets of my day on the blog to show you the challenge I'm facing in learning a British/Malay/Mandarin/Tamil version of English. This time though, it sounds more like a Brit.

Singaporean version: "I forgot to clear my rubbish from the bin. Could you help there?"

How I must translate: "I forgot to take out my trash. Could you do it for me?"


Yes, their way sounds much prettier. However, I'm sticking to my American sass. It seems to be fewer words that way. I'll be posting more interesting ones as I remember them.