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:
hae bi haebi haebee haybee hay bee
hae bee
简
繁
→
Min nan:
虾米
蝦米
poj:
hê-bí
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- small, dried shrimp used as an ingredient in many dishes
- short for hae bee hiam (though this usage is technically incorrect)
There is only one way I always cook my ‘petai’, that is with pounded chili, dried shrimps (hae bee) and assam water. This dish makes my guests come scrambling for more.
— 2010 May, audrey. Audrey Cooks, "Petai with dried shrimp sambal". https://www.audreycooks.com/dried-shrimp-with-petai/https://www.audreycooks.com/dried-shrimp-with-petai/
synonyms: