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:
lengzai
leng zai
简
繁
→
Cantonese:
靓仔
靚仔
jyutping:
leng3 zai2
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- handsome boy; good-looking man
- term of address for a young gentleman
Many people were drawn to him, not just for his talent, but also for his reputation as a 'leng zai' in the industry.
每个女孩 acting like they seen Psy
So I gotta sing mine
Don't like me? Your girl still call me leng zai
— 2015, ShiGGa Shay - "Tapau". 3688
adjective
- handsome; good-looking; attractive
And whenever he visited he'd bring food from the kopitiam next door, and Mrs Wong would laugh and say aiyoh, leng zai, so sweet. […]He could see her mother's mouth widen with laughter as she called him leng zai, could just about picture the colour on her painted nails as she passed around the lo mai gai he'd bought for the other aunties to eat.
— 2021, Daryl Qilin Yam, Lovelier, Lonelier, Epigram Books