Commonly found variants; note these may range from acceptable alternatives to
non-standard forms or incorrect spellings*.
* Singlish is a largely spoken creole, and as such descriptivism (recording forms that reflect actual pronunciation in spoken language, or as appearing in the linguistic corpus) is more pertinent than strict prescriptivism. Nevertheless, the use of more standard forms (or for words originating in languages with Latin script, such as Malay, accurate to the original spelling) is recommended and encouraged.
* Singlish is a largely spoken creole, and as such descriptivism (recording forms that reflect actual pronunciation in spoken language, or as appearing in the linguistic corpus) is more pertinent than strict prescriptivism. Nevertheless, the use of more standard forms (or for words originating in languages with Latin script, such as Malay, accurate to the original spelling) is recommended and encouraged.
also can:
tiam
diam
→
Min nan / hakka:
恬
poj:
tiām
+
Malay:
diam
Detailed etymology
definitions
interjection
- 'shut up!'; 'keep quiet'; 'shh!'
Oei, tiam! You're gonna scare away the kingfisher lah.
verb
- (military command, imperative) to freeze where one is, keep silent, and not move until given a command to be at ease.
- to keep quiet; to be silent
Company, DIAM! ... Good morning Sir! Permission to carry on Sir!
Just go guai guai tiam one corner suck thumb lor.
adverb
- (usually reduplicated) quietly; silently
Just tiam tiam sit there and don't cause trouble.
particles
lah
effect:
dismissiveness
—
Just shut it, man.