redirected from
kiamsiap
* 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:
kiamsiap
kiam siap
→
Min nan:
咸涩
鹹澀
poj:
kiâm-siap
definitions
adjective
- stingy; miserly; overly frugal
My friend Alex has become kiam siap following the currency crisis, and it's rubbing off on me.
— 1998 March 26, Monice Gwee. The Straits Times, "No rationing of chicken rice yet". p.4
I went with the gang and nearly fainted when my coffee and cake came up to over $10 ... Call me kiam siap but I have better things to waste my money on.
— 2022, Julianne Cheah. The Death of Sally Song. Monsoon Books Pte. Limited. ISBN: 9781915310033
... or Mr Kiam Siap Lang ... whose propensity for spending long hours in queues in order to gain slight savings is meant as an indictment of an indiscriminate Singaporean lust for bargains ...
— 2005, Robbie B. H. Goh. Contours of Culture: Space and Social Difference in Singapore. Hong Kong University Press. ISBN: 9789622097315. p.212
"Then why are you so tight with it? Why so kiam siap? It's okay to spend a bit more, you know ... It's irrational, Bee. Why don't you seek professional help?"
"Don't be stupid. Shrinks cost money."
— 2023, Lee Su Kim. Sarong Secrets 2023. Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd. ISBN: 9789815113518