hokkien Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Singlish Dictionary

Heng

Posted on May 27, 2017by Singaporean

Heng Origin: Hokkien – it means fortunately or luckily Heng is used to express some event that you are lucky or fortunate to encounter or to avoid.

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Chao

Posted on May 18, 2017by Singaporean

Chao Origin: Hokkien – This word literally means smelly. Chao simply means smelly and it is such a versatile word that can be strung with other hokkien and even english words to form an expression.

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Siao

Posted on May 18, 2017May 18, 2017by Singaporean

Siao Origin: Hokkien – literally means crazy. Siao is the hokkien word for crazy. It can be used in a myriad of forms, stringing with various hokkien and english words into a phrase.

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Ngeow Origin: Hokkien/Teochew – The direct translation is “Cat” but is mostly used to describe a scrooge. Ngeow is used to described a person that is stingy and behaves like a scrooge. A person of such personality can also be picky over trivial things and find fault with others.

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Zhng

Posted on May 18, 2017May 18, 2017by Singaporean

Zhng Origin: Hokkien – A word to describe modify/upgrade Zhng is commonly used to describe a modification, usually an upgrade to a vehicle or gadget.

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Xia Suay

Posted on May 8, 2017May 16, 2017by Singaporean

Xia Suay Origin: Hokkien and Teochew – a term to describe embarrassment or disgrace. Xia Suay is often used to describe a person or a situation where there is embarrassment or disgrace caused by the person or actions by that person.

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Sibeh

Posted on May 8, 2017May 17, 2017by Singaporean

Sibeh Origin: Hokkien, it simply means “very” Sibeh is a very commonly used singlish word and its meaning is “very”. It is used in many situations and is often used as a description of feelings and thoughts.

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Jialat

Posted on May 8, 2017May 10, 2017by Singaporean

Jialat Origin: Hokkien and Teochew, Jia Lat literally means to eat away (to drain away) the strength.

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Catch No Ball

Posted on May 8, 2017May 11, 2017by Singaporean

Catch No Ball Origin: English, Singlish, Hokkien Catch no ball literally means that one cannot understand what the other is saying. It is also commonly used in its Hokkien form “Liak Bo Kiu”