Singapore English→English

Translate Singapore English to English the way locals mean it.

Singapore English can use sentence-final particles, local verbs, and compressed time phrases that a textbook reader may misread as literal wording instead of reassurance, requests, or sequence.

Going the other way? English to Singapore English

474 local dialects

AIRTranslate on iPhone choosing between English varieties

What locals actually say

Can lah, no need to worry.

Yes, that’s fine, so don’t worry.

“Lah” adds confident reassurance and friendliness; it is not a separate word with a direct English translation.

I go makan first, later then text you.

I’ll go and eat first, then I’ll text you later.

“Makan” means to eat or have a meal, while “later then” marks the next step rather than expressing a contrast.

Help me chope a seat, can?

Could you reserve a seat for me?

“Chope” means to reserve a place, often by leaving an item there, and “can?” softens the request by asking whether it is possible.

Can PayNow or not?

Can I pay by PayNow?

PayNow is Singapore's instant bank-payment service, while “or not” is a local yes-or-no question construction.

You take the MRT to Bugis, then walk over can?

Take the MRT to Bugis, then walk over, okay?

MRT is Singapore's common term for the mass rapid transit system, and sentence-final “can” signals a request for confirmation.

Wah, today so hot, can die.

It is unbearably hot today, lah.

“Can die” is a local hyperbolic construction for strong discomfort, while “lah” adds an emphatic informal tone.

My mum say I come home late, she will nag me, leh.

My mum says she will nag me if I come home late, leh.

The invariant verb in “mum say” is a colloquial Singapore English construction, and “leh” signals mild insistence or concern.

Today need to OT again, damn sian.

I have to do overtime again today, and I am feeling sian.

“OT” is the local workplace abbreviation for overtime, while “sian” describes feeling fed up, drained, or miserable.

Notes like these come with every AIRTranslate translation, so you learn why locals phrase it that way as you go.

How Singapore English differs

Singapore English. British spelling; standard register for formal text; casual register may use light Singlish colour (lah, can, chope, hawker centre) only when tone is clearly informal.

Sound like a local everywhere, not just here.

Every one of 474 dialects, with voice, camera, a keyboard for any app, and offline packs.

Choosing Spanish (Peru) from 471 local variants

Localization Notes explaining why locals say it that way