Hokkien 101 – Words And Phrases You Can Use Everyday Without Getting Slapped

hokkien lingo

Hello, ho seh bo? I’m Ian, DiscoverSG’s leading Hokkien speaker.

Singapore is home to many dialect groups, but one of the most common one is probably Hokkien.

If you grew up in Singapore, you’ve definitely heard Hokkien being spoken around you, whether you’re aware of it or not.

The place where Hokkien is most prevalent is the humble kopitiam, where the elderly chatter fluently in the dialect.

If you don’t understand a single word of it, or if your Hokkien is limited to the expletives, then allow me to teach you some simple words and phrases that you can use daily.

Trust me, I spoke Hokkien before I learnt English.

1. Ai and Mai

These are your most basic words.

Ai, means “want”. Whereas, Mai, means “don’t want”.

[caption id="attachment_35713" align="aligncenter" width="245"]hokkien lingo GIF Credit: giphy[/caption]

So, in future, if you’re bombarded with a sentence in Hokkien and you’re not sure, just say Mai and spare yourself the embarrassment.

2. Ai Mai?

You’ve probably heard or even used it before.

Ai Mai, a combination of the previous 2 words, is usually used as a question to ask if you want something or not?

[caption id="attachment_35714" align="aligncenter" width="320"]hokkien lingo GIF Credit: giphy[/caption]

Example: “We’re going to have supper after karaoke. Join us ah. Ai mai?”

3. Chut Mng

Chut Mng is a term that’s used by the older generation that means “heading out” or “going out”.

[caption id="attachment_35715" align="aligncenter" width="480"]hokkien lingo GIF Credit: giphy[/caption]

Example: “Ah boy, where you going? Everyday see you chut mng, you think my house is hotel is it?”

4. Tit Toh

Stop giggling. Tit Toh is somewhat similar to Chut Mng, but its meaning is closer to “jalan jalan” or going out to have fun.

Example: “Everyday chut mng tit toh, you a lot of money to spend is it?”

5. Jiak Hong

Jiak Hong literally translates into “eating air”.

[caption id="attachment_35716" align="aligncenter" width="500"]hokkien lingo GIF Credit: giphy[/caption]

The real meaning of the word is “to travel” or “holidaying”.

Example: “Eh I saw Alex’s Instagram Story, he go to Switzerland to jiak hong or for exchange?”

6. Dng Chu

Dng Chu means to “go home”.

[caption id="attachment_35717" align="aligncenter" width="480"]hokkien lingo GIF Credit: giphy[/caption]

Example: “Eh guys I’m gonna dng chu already. Y’all have fun.”

7. Lor Hor

Lor Hor translates to “raining”.

[caption id="attachment_35718" align="aligncenter" width="845"]hokkien lingo GIF Credit: giphy[/caption]

Example: “AH BOY FASTER HELP ME KEEP THE LAUNDRY!!! LOR HOR ALREADY!!!”

8. Jiak Png

Jiak Png is probably one of the most used Hokkien phrases. It directly translates to “eat rice” but it’s used to mean “have lunch/dinner” or “to eat”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYgr3lK_7VA

Example: “Eh it’s 1pm already. Let’s go jiak png.”

9. Kun

Kun, in this case, does not refer to the Japanese honorific for boys. In Hokkien, it means “to sleep”.

[caption id="attachment_35719" align="aligncenter" width="380"]hokkien lingo GIF Credit: giphy[/caption]

Example: “This lecturer talk so slowly. I want to kun already.”

10. Ho Seh Bo?

Ho Seh Bo is a greeting which means “How are you?” However, this would be better used when speaking to someone who is of the same age, or younger.

When speaking to an elder, you should be using Li Ho Bo which means “Are you well?”

Example: “Wah bro, long time no see. Ho seh bo?”

11. Eh Sai and Buay Sai

Singaporeans who speak Hokkien love to use these. Eh Sai means “can”, and Buay Sai means “cannot”.

Example:

A: “Can I borrow your pen?”

B: “Eh sai.”

OR

A: “Can I borrow your pen?”

B: “Buay sai, cos I only have one.”

However, if you’re using Eh Sai in the context of “can or not”, then Eh Sai needs to be complemented with “Buay” at the end. The sentence would be something like this.

Example:

A: “Eh you not using your pen. I borrow ah? Eh sai buay?

B: “Eh sai. Take lor.”

12. Kah Kin

Kah Kin means ” to hurry up”. If you’re a sloth, you might’ve heard this used on you more than a few times.

Example: “Eh you very slow, the movie going to start already. Can you kah kin anot?”

So there you have it. Hokkien words and phrases that you can use daily. Feel free to pepper your sentences when speaking with your grandparents for that bit of extra.

Also please don’t let Hokkien die out as a dialect. Pass it on.

Also read Does It Taste Like Home? 2 Filipinos Found The Best Pinoy Fare In Singapore

(Header Image Source: Tapa Talk)

Kopitiam Talk – The Art Behind Your Everyday Kopi O Siew Tai

As a colloquial term for coffeeshops in Singapore, kopitiam is an integral part of any Singaporean. Very much like the microcosm of local culture, Kopitiams effectively capture the multi-racial fabric of our society – from the food choices to languages spoken. Even the word kopitiam itself is a mishmash of two different languages. ‘Kopi’ means coffee in Malay while ‘tiam’ is the Hokkien dialect for the word stall. Indeed, our kopitiam lingo is a curious and eclectic mix grounded in Singlish, and the result is that of a unique language system surrounding this humble and traditional eatery.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="660"] Image credit: EDWIN KHOO/ The New York Times[/caption]

Spend some time at your neighbourhood kopitiam and I’m sure you’ll pick up a whole slew of lingo that is baffling to the uninitiated. These diverse stall owners themselves are a reflection of the Singapore culture. With all of them under one roof, the various languages have blended together over the years to create an eclectic concoction of kopitiam lingo. Let us explore this curious lingo and at the end of it all, I’m sure you’ll get the hang of kopitiam talk one lah.

Bottoms Up

Kopitiam-Talk-5

Ordering a cup of coffee or tea at Kopitiams is in itself an art form. With so many suffixes that can be attached to the stem word of coffee or tea, getting your caffeine fix from Kopitiams might be a little daunting especially if you’re new to the scene. Fret not, for with the help of this flowchart, you’ll find yourself ordering your cuppa like a Singaporean in no time.

I’d Drink To That

It won’t be surprising to hear drink stall owners echoing something completely different after ordering a drink. Many of the drinks have alternative names affectionately coined by drinks sellers. Let’s uncover some alternative names of drinks that have caught on with the Kopitiam culture.

Kopitiam-Talk-6

From these Kopitiam lingos, we can see how language has revolved around this eatery, making it the perfect representation of Singapore itself. From Malay, Chinese and dialects, it really is amazing to see these various cultures blend into one.

Also, read Look How Far Singapore Has Come! We Compare The Now & Then