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:
tombalik terbalek tombalek
terbalik
→
Malay:
terbalik
Detailed etymology
definitions
noun
- upside-down; inverted
And the commonest answers: “Aiyah, my number terbalik.” (The number was drawn in reverse or jumbled up).
— 1993 August 9. The Straits Times, "WHO WILL BE THIS MONTH'S MILLIONAIRE?". p.14
usage notes
Very often pronounced as 'tombalek', 'tombalik', or some similar version by non-speakers of Malay.