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:
tzai tsai chai
zai
→
Hokkien:
才
poj:
châi
+
在
poj:
chāi
Detailed etymology
definitions
adjective
- extremely skilled; talented; of exceptional ability; outstanding; highly capable
White people—even those in our country—rarely make an effort to speak or understand Singlish in a manner comparable to the proficiency with which Singaporeans speak and understand English. When a white person does learn to speak a modicum of Singlish, it is amazing—wah! dis angmoh damn zai!—because he has gone out of his way.
— 2017 July 7, Ng Yonghe. Vulture Magazine, "Red-Red Shy-Shy: Singlish, America, and Embarrassment". https://vulture-magazine.com/articles/red-red-shy-shy
synonyms: