* 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:
kawan-kawan kawan kawan
kawan
→
Malay:
kawan
definitions
noun
- a friend
- (when reduplicated) friends
Go for my zumba session see my kawan then go la teh o at cafe... hehehe ... For popular people like me with many kawan, it is inevitable i am excited, u all dont understand one....
— 2021 August 7, psytxtbk4exam. Hardwarezone, "I am vaccinated against Covid 19, who want to jio me for 5 person la kopi at cafe?". https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/i-am-vaccinated-against-covid-19-who-want-to-jio-me-for-5-person-la-kopi-at-cafe.6572786/
— 2024 September 12, ~sabaisabai~. Hardwarezone, "Eight Telecom discussion thread". https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/eight-telecom-discussion-thread.7023112/page-284
synonyms:
verb
- (transitive) to befriend; to make friends with
- to get or be friendly with; to get along well with
Must go to work, if stay at home how to see them during lunch or tea break time to approach and try luck kawan kawan them?
— 2021 October 5, BernardWYF. Hardwarezone, "[GPGT] These type of employees should WFH or go back office?". https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/gpgt-these-type-of-employees-should-wfh-or-go-back-office.6614020/
synonyms:
bro got more discount cos he kawan kawan with the agent
— 2021 January 29, Quala98. Hardwarezone, "[燃烧吧，阿鬼！] Ah Gui Hotline - Part 12". https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/ah-gui-hotline-part-12.6453000/page-88
synonyms:
usage notes
When used as a verb, usually in the reduplicated form 'kawan-kawan'.