Chimbridge Singlish Dictionary

definitions

interjection

1. used to disallow or reject, as a response to a request or action

- Mummy can I go watch Shrek 3 with my friend?
- Cannot! Finish your homework first then can.

synonyms:

buay sai tak boleh

antonyms:

can eh sai boleh
2. (low to rising tone, long vowel) used to indicate dissuasion or denial

- Cannot. Trust me.
- Really meh? I thought maybe can.

synonyms:

buay sai tak boleh

antonyms:

can eh sai boleh
3. (with be) used to express to opinion that something should be impossible, or otherwise expressing surprise or disbelief that something thought unlikely or impossible has occurred

Huh? Ming Wei legit got top in class? Cannot be!

synonyms:

how can

verb

1. to be unable to

I cannot tahan already, need to pangsai!

synonyms:

buay sai tak boleh

antonyms:

can eh sai boleh
2. to not know how to; to not be able to (for lack of skill or knowledge)

Wah so jialat, maths fail science fail, even social studies he cannot one.

synonyms:

buay hiao

antonyms:

can eh hiao
3. may not; to not have permission to

- Cher, can I go toilet?
- No, you cannot.

synonyms:

eh sai boleh

antonyms:

cannot buay sai tak boleh
4. (with be, often sarcasm) to be impossible; to lack the potential to; to be unthinkably unlikely to. Often expressing disappointment or disbelief at something that has occurred.

Cannot be that I tell you so many times to off the oven, end up you still go and forget?