Singlish Phrasebook for Visitors to Singapore

Basic Greetings

  • Hello: “Eh, hello!”

  • How are you?: “How you?”

  • I’m fine, thank you: “I’m okay lah, thanks!”

  • Goodbye: “Bye bye!”

Everyday Phrases

  • Thank you: “Thank you ah!”

  • Sorry: “Sorry, my bad.”

  • Excuse me: “Excuse, excuse!”

  • What’s up?: “What’s happening?”

Directions and Locations

  • Where is…?: “Where got…?”

  • Turn left: “Turn left there.”

  • Turn right: “Turn right there.”

  • Straight ahead: “Go straight lah.”

Eating and Drinking

  • I would like to order…: “I want to order…”

  • Spicy: “Chili power!”

  • Not too spicy: “Not so spicy can?”

  • This is delicious: “Wah, shiok!”

Shopping

  • How much is this?: “How much, ah?”

  • Can I have a discount?: “Can discount or not?”

  • I’ll think about it: “I think first lah.”

  • It’s too expensive: “Aiyoh, so expensive!”

Asking for Help

  • Can you help me?: “Can help me or not?”

  • I don’t understand: “I no understand leh.”

  • Can you repeat?: “Can say again ah?”

  • I need a taxi: “I need taxi lah.”

Compliments and Comments

  • Nice to meet you: “Nice to meet you leh.”

  • That’s funny: “So funny, sia!”

  • Very good: “Very good, hor!”

  • I’m tired: “I tired already.”

Others

  • What time is it?: “What time now ah?”

  • Let’s go: “Let’s go lah!”

  • I’m lost: “I lost already.”

  • I love it here: “I love here sia!”

This phrasebook will help you navigate conversations and connect with locals during your visit to Singapore. Enjoy your stay!