Spend time in Singapore and you’ll quickly notice the unique rhythm of Singlish, shaped by English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, Hokkien and other languages. From “Makan already?” to “Shiok lah!”, here is a list of Singapore slang words that will reveal whether you’re a tourist, newcomer or true local.

Singapore slang terms you should know

Lah/Leh/Lor

Let’s start with the most famous Singlish word. “Lah” is usually added to the end of a sentence to express emphasis meanwhile, “leh” conveys uncertainty, and “lor” expresses acceptance or resignation.

Example: “Don’t worry lah, we still have time.”  “How to do leh?” “Okay, do it this way lor.

Why do Singaporeans say “lah”? Its meaning often depends on the speaker’s tone. “Can lah” might sound reassuring, while “Okay lah!” can suggest mild impatience.

Shiok

“Shiok” describes something extremely enjoyable, satisfying or delicious. It is often used when talking about food, but it works for almost any pleasant experience.

Example: “This laksa is so shiok!”

Air conditioning after walking in Singapore’s afternoon heat? Also shiok.

Chope

To “chope” something means to reserve it. At hawker centres, Singaporeans often chope seats using tissue packets, umbrellas or other small personal items.

Example: “You order the food. I go chope a table.”

Paiseh

“Paiseh” comes from Hokkien and is used when someone feels embarrassed, shy or apologetic.

Example: “Paiseh, I forgot to reply to your message.”

Kiasu

“Kiasu” describes someone who is afraid of losing out or missing an opportunity. It might refer to a person who joins a queue without knowing what it’s for or arrives extremely early to secure the best deal.

Example: “Don’t be so kiasu. There’s enough for everyone.”

The word can sound critical, but Singaporeans often use it jokingly among friends.

Bojio

“Bojio” means you were not invited to something. It is usually said playfully when friends share photos from an outing you knew nothing about.

Example: “You all went for hotpot? Bojio!”

Even if you were busy and could not have joined, saying “bojio” is almost compulsory.

Sian

Feeling tired, bored or completely unmotivated? The word you need is “sian.”

Example: “Monday morning again. So sian.”

This is probably one of the most relatable Singapore slang terms, especially after a long day at work or an unexpected MRT delay.

Alamak

“Alamak” is an exclamation used to express surprise, frustration or disappointment. Think of it as the local version of “Oh no!”

Example: “Alamak, I left my umbrella at home.”

Makan

“Makan” means “eat” or “food” in Malay. In Singapore, asking someone whether they have eaten can also be a casual way of showing care.

Example: “Have you makan already?”

Food is a huge part of everyday life here, so this is one of the answers to the popular question: What do Singaporeans say a lot?

Can

In Singlish, “can” is a complete answer. It means something is possible, acceptable or agreed upon. “Cannot” works in exactly the opposite way.

Example:
“Meet at 7pm, can?”
“Can!”

Dabao or tapao

“Dabao,” sometimes written as “tapao,” means ordering food to take away.

Example: “I’m not eating here. I’ll dabao chicken rice.”

This is a useful phrase to remember when visiting hawker centres, coffee shops and local food courts.

How local is your Singlish?

Knowing a list of Singlish words is easy, but using them naturally takes practice. The tone matters just as much as the word itself. Add too many particles to every sentence and it may sound forced.

So, how many of these Singapore slang words do you use regularly? If “bojio” is your immediate reaction whenever friends meet without you, congratulations lah. You’re well on your way to passing the true-local test.