| name | singlish |
| description | Transform text into Singlish (Colloquial Singaporean English) — an English-based creole shaped by Hokkien, Malay, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Tamil. Features discourse particles (lah, lor, meh, hor, leh), topic-comment structure, zero copula, optional tense/plural marking, "got" for existence, "kena" passive, verb reduplication, and multilingual loanwords. Applies a 27-item checklist covering grammar, discourse particles, vocabulary, and structure. Useful for creative writing, cultural appreciation, language education, or humor. Triggers on "/singlish", "寫成新加坡英語", "translate to singlish", "make it singlish", "singlish this", "新加坡式英文", "write in singlish".
|
| license | PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 |
| argument-hint | [file-path] |
| allowed-tools | Read, Write, Edit, Glob |
Singlish — 新加坡式英語
Transform text into Singlish — Colloquial Singaporean English, a creole language born from
the contact of English, Hokkien, Malay, Cantonese, Mandarin, Teochew, and Tamil. The result
should sound like an authentic Singaporean speaking casually at a kopitiam or hawker centre.
Singlish is NOT broken English. It is a fully-formed creole with its own fixed grammar,
phonology, and pragmatic system. Every feature reflects systematic substrate influence from
Southeast Asian languages. The output should feel natural and internally consistent — like
a native Singlish speaker, not a foreigner imitating one badly.
Arguments
$0 — (Optional) Path to a markdown or text file. If omitted, ask for inline text or
find the most recent text in conversation context.
Step 1: Load the Text
- If
$0 is provided, read the file.
- If no argument, find the most recent text in the conversation, or ask the user.
- The input can be English (rewrite as Singlish), Chinese (translate to Singlish),
or any language (translate to Singlish).
Step 2: Apply Singlish Patterns
Apply the rules below systematically. The goal: every sentence should carry at least 2-3
Singlish markers. Not every rule applies to every sentence — use the ones that fit naturally.
Singlish exists on a creole continuum. This skill targets the mesolectal to basilectal
range — clearly colloquial, distinctly Singaporean, but still comprehensible.
Grammar Patterns（語法模式）
G1. Topic-Comment Structure [Hard, Light+]
Singlish is topic-prominent like Chinese and Malay. Place the topic (known information) first,
then comment on it. The topic need not be the grammatical subject.
Standard: The weather in this country is very hot.
Singlish: Dis country weather very hot one.
Standard: You can't trust that person.
Singlish: Dat joker there cannot trust.
Standard: You don't need to bring a camera tomorrow.
Singlish: Tomorrow don't need bring camera.
G2. Zero Copula [Hard, Light+]
Drop "is/am/are/was/were" before adjectives and adjective phrases. Also drop between nouns
and locatives when context is clear.
Standard: This house is very nice.
Singlish: Dis house very nice.
Standard: That lady is his wife.
Singlish: Dat one his wife lah.
Standard: His house is in Toa Payoh.
Singlish: His house in Toa Payoh.
Standard: I'm so naughty.
Singlish: I damn naughty.
G3. Drop or Reduce Articles [Hard, Light+]
Articles (a, an, the) are largely optional in Singlish. Drop most of them. Occasionally keep
"the" for emphasis or when needed for clarity.
Standard: I like to read a storybook. The library has many books.
Singlish: I like to read storybook. Library got many book.
Standard: Does your computer have a virus or not?
Singlish: Your computer got virus or not?
G4. Optional Tense Marking [Hard, Light+]
Past tense is optional. Keep it for irregular verbs and "-ed" pronounced as a separate
syllable (/ɪd/), but drop it elsewhere — especially for extended-duration actions.
Use "already" or "liao" for perfective aspect instead of English perfect tenses.
Standard: I went to Orchard Road yesterday.
Singlish: I go Orchard Road yesterday.
Standard: He has been talking for so long and never stopped.
Singlish: He talk so long, never stop.
Standard: Your ice cream has melted.
Singlish: Your ice cream melt already.
Standard: I've already eaten.
Singlish: I eat liao.
G5. Drop Plural Marking [Soft, Medium+]
Plural "-s" is optional. Drop it on most nouns, especially after numerals or quantifiers
where plurality is already obvious. Occasionally hypercorrect with "furnitures" or "stuffs."
Standard: This one costs only ten cents.
Singlish: This one ten cent only.
Standard: There are three students.
Singlish: Got three student.
G6. PRO-Drop (Omit Subject) [Hard, Medium+]
Drop the subject/topic when it's clear from context, as in Chinese and Malay.
Standard: This isn't good.
Singlish: No good lah.
Standard: Why didn't they come?
Singlish: How come never come leh?
Standard: You can't just go around doing whatever you want.
Singlish: Cannot anyhow go like dat one leh.
G7. "Or Not" and "Is It" Questions [Hard, Medium+]
Form yes-no questions with "or not" (neutral) or "is it" (implies surprise/confirmation).
Avoid English subject-auxiliary inversion for casual questions — just add a rising particle.
Standard: Do you want this book?
Singlish: You want this book or not?
Standard: Is that possible?
Singlish: Can or not?
Standard: They didn't study? (No wonder they failed!)
Singlish: They never study, is it?
Standard: Does this bus have air conditioning?
Singlish: This bus got air-con or not?
G8. "Never" as Negative Past [Hard, Medium+]
Use "never" where Standard English uses "didn't." The verb stays in base form.
Standard: Why didn't you submit your homework today?
Singlish: How come today you never hand in homework?
Standard: Why didn't he pay just now?
Singlish: How come he never pay just now?
Discourse Particles（語氣詞）
Particles are the soul of Singlish. They attach to sentence-final position, convey pragmatic
meaning, and retain their tones regardless of the sentence. Use them generously but
appropriately — each has a specific function.
Combination rule: One sentence-final particle per sentence. Do not stack "lah lor" or
"leh sia" at the end. The only exception is "ah" used as a mid-sentence topic marker
(e.g., "This boy ah, always so rude one!") — "ah" marks the topic, "one" closes the sentence.
Choose the single particle that best fits the sentence's pragmatic intent.
D1. Lah — Solidarity and Softening [Hard, Light+]
The most iconic Singlish particle. Softens commands, signals reassurance, expresses mild
impatience, or builds rapport.
Constraint: Lah CANNOT appear in yes-no questions. Use meh, hor, or ah instead.
Softening: Drink lah! (just drink it)
Reassurance: Dun worry, he can one lah. (don't worry, he's capable)
Impatience: Eh, hurry up lah.
Emphasis: I dun have lah!
D2. Lor — Resignation and Obviousness [Hard, Light+]
Signals "it is what it is" — resignation, dismissiveness, or stating the obvious.
Resignation: Kay lor, you go and do what you want.
Obvious inference: Dun have work to do, den go home lor.
Agreement: Ya lor. (yeah, that's right)
D3. Meh — Skeptical Questions [Hard, Light+]
Forms questions that express surprise or disbelief — "I thought otherwise."
Skepticism: They never study meh? (I thought they did)
Disbelief: Really meh? (Is that really so?)
Surprise: You don't like dat one meh?
D4. Hor — Seeking Agreement [Soft, Medium+]
Draws the listener's attention, asks for consent or agreement. Also used as a narrative
connector ("and then...").
Agreement-seeking: This shopping centre very nice hor?
Narrative: Then hor, another person came out.
Realization: Oh yah hor! (Oh, right!)
D5. Leh — Softening [Soft, Medium+]
Softens commands, requests, or complaints that would otherwise sound brusque.
Soft request: Gimme leh. (please give it to me)
Complaint: The ticket seriously ex leh. (tickets are expensive, argh)
Mild objection: You call her walk there, very far leh.
D6. Ah — Topic Marker and Filler [Hard, Medium+]
Inserted between topic and comment to set up the sentence. Rising tone marks questions;
mid-level tone marks genuine inquiries.
Topic marker: This boy ah, always so rude one!
Rhetorical question: How come like dat one ah?
Warning: Dun play play ah! (don't mess around!)
D7. One — Characteristic Emphasis [Hard, Medium+]
Placed at sentence-end to emphasize that something is characteristically or inherently so.
Analogous to Cantonese 嘅/㗎 or Mandarin 的.
Characteristic: He never go school one. (he's the type who doesn't go)
Inherent: Is like dat one. (it is how it is)
Emphasis: I do everything by habit one.
D8. Wat — Reminding or Contradicting [Soft, Heavy]
Reminds the listener of something they should already know, or contradicts their assumption.
Reminder: But he very good at Maths wat. (you should know this)
Contradiction: I never punch him wat! (it's not my fault)
Assertion: The food there not bad wat. Can try lah.
Vocabulary Patterns（詞彙模式）
V1. "Got" for Existence and Possession [Hard, Medium+]
Map Chinese 有 onto "got" for both "there is/are" and "have/has." "Where got" expresses
emphatic denial.
Standard: Are there any questions?
Singlish: Got question?
Standard: There were so many people at Marina Bay Sands!
Singlish: Marina Bay Sands got so many people one!
Standard: That's not true! / There isn't any!
Singlish: Where got!?
V2. "Can" as Universal Response [Hard, Medium+]
Use "can" as a standalone question and answer. The negative is "cannot." Repetition adds
emphasis: "Can, can!" = absolutely.
Standard: Could you give that to me?
Singlish: Gimme can?
Standard: Sure!
Singlish: Can!
Standard: No way.
Singlish: Cannot.
Standard: Is that okay?
Singlish: Can or not?
V3. "Kena" Passive for Negative Events [Hard, Medium+]
Use "kena" (from Malay) as a passive marker for bad things. Never use kena with positive
outcomes (unless sarcastic).
Standard: He was scolded.
Singlish: He kena scold.
Standard: Be careful or you'll be punished.
Singlish: Dun listen, later you kena punish.
Standard: I got fined. What can I do?
Singlish: Kena fined lor, what to do?
V4. Verb Reduplication [Soft, Medium+]
Repeat verbs twice for brief actions, three times for extended ones. Conveys vividness
and casualness.
Standard: Think about it briefly, then you'll find the answer.
Singlish: You go think think a bit, maybe den you get answer.
Standard: Want to go to Orchard for some shopping and sightseeing?
Singlish: Want to go Orchard walk walk see see or not?
Standard: Don't touch things randomly.
Singlish: Don't anyhow touch here touch there leh.
V5. "Already" / "Liao" for Completion [Hard, Medium+]
Use "already" or Hokkien "liao" to mark completed actions or state changes. Replaces
English perfect tenses.
Standard: We can't wait anymore, we have to go now.
Singlish: Cannot wait any more, must go already.
Standard: He has thrown it away.
Singlish: He throw liao.
Standard: My son is starting Primary One now.
Singlish: My boy-boy going Primary One oreddy.
V6. Hokkien and Malay Loanwords [Hard, Medium+]
Sprinkle common loanwords naturally throughout. These are core Singlish vocabulary, not
exotica. Use a few well-placed loanwords per paragraph — cramming every word is unnatural.
Core loanwords (use freely at Medium+):
| Loanword | Meaning | Origin |
|---|
| shiok | extremely enjoyable/satisfying | Malay |
| makan | eat | Malay |
| kiasu | afraid to lose out, FOMO | Hokkien |
| alamak | oh my god (surprise) | Malay |
| jialat | terrible, in deep trouble | Hokkien |
| paiseh | embarrassed, shy | Hokkien |
| sian | bored, tired of something | Hokkien |
| ex | expensive | English (clipping) |
Extended loanwords (use at Heavy, or sparingly at Medium when context fits):
| Loanword | Meaning | Origin |
|---|
| kiasi | afraid to die, overly cautious | Hokkien |
| bojio | didn't invite (me) | Hokkien |
| ang moh | Caucasian/Westerner | Hokkien |
| kopitiam | coffee shop/hawker centre | Hokkien+Malay |
| boleh | can, able to | Malay |
| chope | reserve (a seat) | Singlish |
| atas | high-class, posh | Malay |
| blur | confused, clueless | English (semantic shift) |
| sabo | sabotage (verb, casual) | English (clipping) |
| lepak | hang out, relax | Malay |
| ponteng / pon | play truant, skip class | Malay |
| swaku | out of touch, old-fashioned | Hokkien |
| steady | impressive, cool, reliable | English (semantic shift) |
V6b. Semantic Shifts from Substrate Languages [Soft, Medium+]
Some English words shift meaning in Singlish due to Hokkien/Malay substrate influence.
Use these naturally — they are authentic Singlish, not errors.
- "Borrow" = lend — Hokkien 借 (chio̍h) means both borrow AND lend.
"Eh, can borrow me your calculator?" = Can you lend me your calculator?
- "Send" = accompany/take someone — Hokkien 送 (sàng) means both send AND escort.
"I send you to the airport lah." = I'll take you to the airport.
- "Follow" = come along — "Can I follow you?" = Can I come along with you?
V7. "Damn" as Intensifier [Soft, Medium+]
Use "damn" as a casual intensifier replacing "very" or "really." Also use "super," "sibei"
(Hokkien 死父, very), or "damn" + adjective without copula.
Standard: The food is really good.
Singlish: The food damn good sia.
Standard: That's really expensive.
Singlish: Wah, damn ex leh.
Standard: He's incredibly capable.
Singlish: He damn zai sia.
V8. "Den" / "Then" as Multi-Purpose Connector [Soft, Medium+]
Use "den" for "so/therefore," "after that," conditional "if...then," or to return an insult.
Standard: I didn't do my homework, so I got scolded.
Singlish: Never do homework den kena scold lor.
Standard: I'll call you when I get home.
Singlish: I go home liao den call you.
Standard: (A: "You're stupid!") You're the stupid one!
Singlish: You den stupid lah.
Structure Patterns（結構模式）
S1. Sentence-Final "Like That" / "Lidat" [Soft, Heavy]
Append "like that" (often compressed to "lidat") to emphasize descriptions, adding vividness.
Standard: He really seems pretty stupid.
Singlish: He so stupid like that.
Standard: He's really acting like a baby.
Singlish: He acting like one-year-old baby like that.
Standard: Why is he behaving this way?
Singlish: Why he acting like dat?
S2. Exclamations and Interjections [Hard, Heavy]
Use Singlish exclamations for emotional color: "wah lau" (frustration/shock),
"alamak" (surprise), "aiyoh" (exasperation), "oi" (calling attention).
Frustration: Wah lau! Teacher give so much homework!
Surprise: Alamak, I forget bring wallet!
Exasperation: Aiyoh, how come like dat one?
Attention: Oi, you forgot give me my pencil!
S3. Spelling Conventions [Hard, varies by intensity]
Use Singlish spelling conventions to reflect pronunciation. Apply per intensity level:
| Standard | Singlish | Active from |
|---|
| don't | dun | Medium |
| that | dat | Medium |
| this | dis | Medium |
| them/then | den | Medium |
| what (particle) | wat | Medium |
| already | oreddy | Heavy |
| the | de | Heavy |
| brother | brudder | Heavy |
| friend | fren | Heavy |
| there | dere | Heavy |
Light: No spelling changes — keep standard orthography.
Medium: Only the 5 most common respellings (dun, dat, dis, den, wat).
Heavy: Full respelling table. Not every word needs respelling, but apply generously.
Step 3: Produce Singlish Output
Apply the checklist to transform the entire text. Aim for a natural, consistent Singlish voice.
Intensity Levels
Each rule is tagged with its minimum intensity (e.g., [Hard, Light+] = active from Light up;
[Soft, Heavy] = only in Heavy mode).
| Level | Active Rules | Effect |
|---|
| Light | G1-G4 (topic-comment, copula, articles, tense) + D1-D3 (lah, lor, meh). No spelling changes, no loanwords. | Reads like an educated Singaporean in casual mode. |
| Medium (default) | Light + G5-G8, D4-D7, V1-V8 (core loanwords, got, can, kena, reduplication), S3 basic spelling (dun, dat, dis, den, wat). | Clearly Singlish — particles in most sentences, common loanwords, topic-comment structure. |
| Heavy | All rules including D8, S1-S2 (lidat, exclamations), S3 full spelling, extended loanwords. | Reads like a kopitiam conversation — dense particles, frequent loanwords, basilectal spelling. |
If the user doesn't specify, use Medium.
Input-Specific Handling
English input → Singlish:
- Restructure sentences to topic-comment order where natural.
- Drop copula, articles, tense marking, and plurals per the rules.
- Add discourse particles to most sentences — choose the appropriate one for the pragmatic context.
- Replace vocabulary with Singlish equivalents where fitting.
Chinese input → Singlish:
- Translate to English first, but preserve Chinese sentence structure (topic-comment, serial verbs).
- Apply all Singlish patterns — the Chinese structure naturally aligns with many Singlish features.
- Add discourse particles and loanwords for authentic flavor.
Step 4: Output
- File output: Save to
_singlish suffix (e.g., article.md → article_singlish.md).
If no file was provided, output directly in conversation.
- Show 3-5 representative sentence pairs comparing Original and Singlish versions.
- List applied patterns: Note which major patterns (G/D/V/S) were most active.
- Loanword glossary: Briefly list loanwords used with meanings (keep concise — one line each).
Important Notes
- This is a stylistic transformation tool for creative, educational, and cultural purposes.
- Singlish is a legitimate creole language with systematic grammar, not random broken English.
Treat it with linguistic respect.
- Do NOT produce offensive, racist, or demeaning content. The goal is authentic representation
of a living language, not caricature.
- Discourse particles are not random filler. Each has specific pragmatic functions — use them
appropriately. "Lah" is not a catch-all; "meh" only appears in skeptical questions; "lor"
signals resignation; etc.
- Kena is only for negative events (unless being sarcastic). This is a hard rule.
- The creole continuum is real: not every Singaporean speaks the same Singlish. This skill
targets the mesolectal-to-basilectal range for maximum distinctiveness.
- When in doubt about a particle, think: "What would a Singaporean auntie at the hawker centre
say?" That's the register we're aiming for.
