23 Words Most Commonly Mispronounced by Singaporeans

Picture: @chaverry

Update: Thanks for the comments guys! We’ve since improved on this list it’s now up to 23 words! Thank you to Cheryl Suah for adding points 13-23.

Now don’t get me wrong, Singlish is great. It gets the job done and every Singaporean (and Malaysian) knows what you’re talking about when you speak Singlish. It is super unique and essentially makes us who we are. Singlish is the best. But it bothers me when English words, not Singlish but English, are mispronounced by Singaporeans. I kinda look like this.

I’m not saying I’m not guilty of committing these errors, I absolutely am. But since there’s no better way to learn for myself and the help other people learn too, here’s a list of 23 words that Singaporeans tend to mispronounce along with their correct pronunciations.

1. Flour

Singapore Pronunciation: flahr

Correct Pronunciation: flou-er

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWhtqsI9-Hg

I think majority of us tend to get this one wrong, I know I’m guilty. Instead of saying it like “flahr” its meant to be pronounced like “flou-er” or flower. Yeah, I know, English is a strange language.

Update: Okay for Singaporeans still in denial about this saying the pronunciation is actually “American” – please go to http://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/british/flour_1# and play the audio version of the British version. The British distinction is not as clear as the American but you can look at the phonetics and if you listen clearly, its pronounced the same way. FLOWER!

So yes, you’ve been pronouncing it wrong your whole life. But so have we, so don’t worry!

2. Algae

Singapore Pronunciation: el-gay

Correct Pronunciation: al-gee

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ-KA_586Mk

We see the A at the end of this word and proceed to pronounce it like “el-gay.” (El actually means “the one” in Spanish so pronouncing it like that is like saying “The Gay One.” LOL)

The right way to say it is “al-gee” as in “Oh Ehm Gee, there’s a whole lot of algae in that pond!”

3. Cement

Singapore Pronunciation: see-men

Correct Pronunciation: si-ment

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjL32u9b71U

So a lot of people pronounce this like “See-men” when its actually “si-ment.” Needless to say, mispronouncing this one might lead to some VERY awkward situations.

4. Children

Singapore Pronunciation: chew-ren / cho-dren

Correct Pronunciation: chil-drehn

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs8sraNjqpk

I’m all for food, but chewing people really does not sound like a good idea.

5. Divorce

Singapore Pronunciation: die-vos

Correct Pronunciation: di-vors

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y52g8Jq90No

Yeah, divorce is a really horrid thing and you might feel like you’re dying but that’s no reason to call it “die-vos”. Lets all agree to stick to “di-vors,” okay? Okay.

6. Lingerie

Singapore Pronunciation: ling-ger-rie

Correct Pronunciation: lon-zhurh-rey

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14gZj0cIjhc

Okay this one is a bit tricky so if you mispronounce it, like I do, you’re forgiven. Maintaining that English is a strange language, this one isn’t pronounced “ling-ger-rie” which is obviously how it looks. Tap into your inner pretentious French speaker and say it like “lon-zhuhr-rey”.

7. Opportunity

Singapore Pronunciation: o-por-tunity

Correct Pronunciation: op-uh-tyoo-nuh-tee

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6iaHIiL7QU

This is an example of one that gets on my nerves. Instead of “o-pour-tunity” it should be pronounced “op-uh-tyoo-nuh-tee”. The incorrect pronunciation honestly makes my skin crawl.

8. Prayer

Singapore Pronunciation: pray-er

Correct Pronunciation: prair

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy4oOMzMYiw

Nope its not “pray-er” its “prair”. Why is there a Y? Yeah, I don’t quite know either.

9. Salmon

Singapore Pronunciation: sal-mon

Correct Pronunciation: sam-uhn

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkyVZ2ARqjw

Another word with a completely redundant letter, instead of “sal-mon” it should be pronounced “sam-uhn.” Ever wonder who makes these rules?

10. Sugar

Singapore Pronunciation: su-ger

Correct Pronunciation: shoog-er

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CtyJuaxPfM

I don’t tend to come across this mispronunciation often but its pretty common. The S is sugar is meant to be pronounced as an Sh sound so instead of “su-ger” it should be “shoog-er”.

Just imagine you’re trying to shush that “ah girl” up. “Shoo girl” but without the L.

11. Tuition

Singapore Pronunciation: tu-tion

Correct Pronunciation: too-ish-uhn

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdPWg8sfXM4

Its important to get this word pronounced properly, seeing as its on the lips of every locally educated person. Its “too-ish-uhn” instead of “tu-tion”.

12. Women

Singapore Pronunciation: woo-men

Correct Pronunciation: wim-in

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlugqibMS9k

Nope, we ladies are not trying to “woo-men.” It should be pronounced “wim-in.” Keep that in mind so the next time you face a tough lady, you won’t experience a serious beat down.

13. Colleague

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtUAExY5-To

Singapore Pronunciation: Ker-ligg

Correct Pronunciation: Call-leeg

This could save you from some embarrassment at an international meeting/office.

“And dis is my ker-ligg Ah Beng.“

14. Probably

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhtltP7faqs

Singapore Pronunciation: Problee/Prolly

Correct Pronunciation: Prob-buh-blee

Same problem with ‘properly’. But hey, what’s wrong with a little convenience?

15. Hotel

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyw7DEeo5sw

Singapore Pronunciation: Horh-tell

Correct Pronunciation: Hoe-tell

Where dem hoes at?

16. Excuse me

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8pd54bLimg

Singapore Pronunciation: Eskew me

Correct Pronunciation: ax-kews me

Every Singaporean’s short-lived attempt at being polite at the MRT station.

17. Subtle

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSPkeLgQquE

Singapore Pronunciation: Sub-terh

Correct Pronunciation: Suh-tuhl

Silent b guys. Also, don’t forget the l at the end! This is a super common mistake across the board of ‘bt’s like ‘debt’.

18. Sword

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9qfA5Vb01o

Singapore Pronunciation: Sward

Correct Pronunciation: Sord

#ITZLIDDAT

19. Abalone

How to pronounce abalone

Singapore Pronunciation: Ab-alone

Correct Pronunciation:Ab-alon-ee

The ‘e’ isn’t silent! Don’t ask me why it’s silent in ‘alone’ but articulated in ‘abalone’. And I’m just saying, but pretty sure the abs made the difference.

20. Film

Video unavailable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzE1zQz8c8w

Singapore Pronunciation: Flim/fillum

Correct Pronunciation: Fil-m

Can’t help but wonder if this is just some classic ‘i’/’l’ confusion taken one step too far.

21. Yellow

How to Pronounce Yellow in British English

Singapore Pronunciation: Yah-low

Correct Pronunciation: Yeh-low

Okay this one is important because if yah-low becomes accepted in the future then there will be no more ‘yellow yellow dirty fellow rhymes’. It’s just not the same.

22. Wednesday

How to pronounce Wednesday

Singapore Pronunciation: Wen-ness-day

Correct Pronunciation: Wens-day

Did you know that Wednesday is also known as hump day? So if in future you forget which is the right pronunciation, just say ‘hump day’.

But before you start giggling like a prepubescent teenage boy, know that this ‘hump’ is a noun (not a verb) that refers to getting over the first half of the work week.

23. Nasi Lemak

Singapore Pronunciation: Na-si Loh-mak

Correct Pronunciation: Na-si Le-mak

Eh this one is our local food leh. Can we at least say this one propply not??

Never make these mistakes again

There you have it, 23 words that Singaporeans tend to mispronounce. The next time you visit a foreign country, you’ll never encounter another awkward situation where you think you’re speaking perfect English but the other person still has no idea what you’re saying.

But it’s all these little Singaporean quirks that make living here so great! So while it’s useful to know proper English for when the time calls for it, Singlish serves a great purpose in forming our national identity, and to everyone who has a problem with speaking Singlish as a casual everyday language…

Source: giphy

What are other words Singaporeans mispronounce? Let us know in the comments below!

I can read minds. You will also like: