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.

also can:

jiak bo liau chiah bo liao chiah bo liau chia bo liau

jiak bo liao

Hokkien:

poj:

chia̍h

+

poj:

+

poj:

liáu

expand for details Detailed etymology

definitions

verb

  1. to be unable to finish some food or meal
  2. Wah still got dessert ah? I jiak bo liao already.

  3. (fig., of things) cannot be finished; unable to be completed
  4. I old already; even if strike 4D, so much money chit si lang also jiak bo liao.

    synonyms:


usage notes

Figurative meaning especially common when referring to coming into a great fortune, but may also be used to refer to a great misfortune or inconvenience, such as an incompletable pile of work.


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