Language, customs and etiquette

What are Singapore's official languages?

Singapore has four official languages: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. Malay is the national language, written in the Roman script, and the Constitution lets anyone use, teach or learn any other language. You can hear Malay, Mandarin and Tamil in turn across Kampong Gelam, Chinatown and Little India. The Kampong Gelam walk is a good place to start.

Sources: Singapore Statutes Online, Ministry of Culture, Community and YouthChecked November 2026

Will English be enough to get around Singapore?

Yes: English is the official working language, and everyone learns it at school, so you can ask directions and order in English. At a hawker stall, point at what you want if the stallholder's English is limited. A few words in Malay, Mandarin or Tamil are welcome but never required. Tekka Centre is an easy place to practise ordering.

Sources: Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Singapore Statutes Online

What is Singlish, and do I need to know it?

Singlish is the informal English of Singapore, with words from Malay, Hokkien and Tamil and a small sentence ending that softens or stresses what came before. You don't need it, and standard English works everywhere. Listen for it at a kopitiam, where orders come in short bursts, and pick up a phrase or two. Killiney Kopitiam is a gentle start.

What do kopi-o and kopi-c mean when I order coffee?

Kopi is coffee, kopi-o is black coffee with sugar and kopi-c is coffee with evaporated milk. Add kosong, which means zero, for no sugar, and siew dai for less sweet, so kopi-o kosong is black coffee with no sugar. Order at the drinks stall in one breath. Tiong Bahru Market has a drinks stall to try the codes on.

See alsoKilliney Kopitiam

What do void deck and wet market mean in Singapore?

A void deck is the open ground floor of an HDB block, used for gatherings and sheltered tables. A wet market sells fresh fish, meat and vegetables, and its floors are wet from hosing down. A five-foot way is the covered walkway in front of a shophouse. All three are everyday words, and you will walk through each. Toa Payoh Lorong 8 has a market and the void decks around it.

See alsoTiong Bahru Market & Food Centre

Should I call an older stallholder uncle or auntie?

Calling an older stallholder uncle or auntie is a friendly, everyday way to get their attention, and a plain excuse me works just as well. Stallholders are busy people, so wait your turn, say what you want clearly and say thanks when you collect it. Use the words to one person at a time, as you would a first name. Maxwell Food Centre is a good place to practise.

Do I take my shoes off in a Singapore home?

Yes, when you are invited into a home, leave your shoes by the door if others have done so, and follow your host's lead. The same goes for mosques and many temples, where shoes come off at the entrance. Wear shoes that slip off easily if you have several stops. The shoes and temples answer has the details for places of worship.

See alsoSultan MosqueSri Mariamman Temple

What should I wear at a mosque on my first visit?

Wear modest clothing that covers the aurat, which means no short pants, short skirts or sleeveless tops. Masjid Jamae (Chulia) lends respectful robes free at the entrance and welcomes Muslim and non-Muslim visitors, with guided tours. Other mosques set their own hours, so check each before you go. See Jamae Chulia Mosque and Sultan Mosque.

Sources: Masjid Jamae (Chulia)Checked November 2026

What manners matter most at a hawker centre?

Return your tray, crockery and litter yourself: first-time offenders get a written warning and repeat offenders are fined or charged in court. A packet of tissues on a seat means it is taken, so find another table. The hawker etiquette guide covers the routine, and Old Airport Road Food Centre is a good place to learn it.

Sources: National Environment AgencyChecked November 2026

What do I say at Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali?

A simple greeting is welcome at each. Say gong xi fa cai at Chinese New Year, selamat Hari Raya for Hari Raya Puasa and happy Deepavali for the Festival of Lights. Say it with a smile and follow with thank you if you are offered food. Chinatown, Geylang Serai and Little India are where the lights go up. See Geylang Serai Market.

What does 'can' mean in Singlish when someone says it?

In Singlish, 'can' means yes, it's possible or you may, and a short friendly particle on the end makes it warmer. It works as a whole answer: 'Can?' 'Can.' is a finished conversation, and 'cannot' is the plain no. You'll hear it at stalls, in shops and in taxis, and plain English back is welcome. What Singlish is has the wider picture.