What Do They Speak in Singapore? Know before You Plan to Go in 2025

When visiting Singapore, one of the most fascinating questions is ‘What Do They Speak in Singapore.’

Why? Because Singapore has a rich diversity of languages.

The linguistic landscape of Singapore, being a multicultural country with many ethnic groups, is a manifestation of what is unique in Singapore’s makeup. Information about the languages spoken in Singapore can improve your travel experience by helping you to build better relationships with the people there and by allowing you to better appreciate the culturally specific aspects of the place.

Here we will learn from tourist’s point of view what language locals of Singapore speak.

What Do They Speak in Singapore? Official Languages of Singapore

Singapore recognizes four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. As any language holds society together, so a small amount of knowledge about them can always help the visitor.

English:

The most widely spoken language in Singapore is English, and it is the main medium of communication among the diverse population. It is the language of instruction in classrooms; it’s being employed by the government, industry, and news media. Around 48% of Singaporeans use English at home as a lingua franca.

But it should be mentioned that a popular form of spoken language of English (Singlish) is also spoken by many Singaporeans. This derisive variant also contains elements from Malay, Mandarin, Hokkien, and other languages. Although Singlish is enjoyable to hear and understand, for better communication, tourists are advised to use ordinary English instead.

Common Singlish phrases include:

“Lah” (a particle used for emphasis)
“Can or not?” (Can you do it?)
“Chope” (to reserve something)

Malay:

Malay is an official language of Singapore and plays an important cultural role. It is widely spoken by about 13% of the population and is commonly employed in official settings, e.g., national anthem “Majulah Singapura” (Onward Singapore).

For travelers who desire to experience local culture, knowing a couple of elementary Malay words can be useful. Here are some common expressions:

Selamat pagi (Good morning)
Terima kasih (Thank you)
Tolong! (Help!)

Mandarin:

Other official language is Mandarin Chinese and is spoken by about 35% of Singapore population. It has gained increasing importance as a result of government efforts to promote Mandarin as the common language for Chinese communities.

The majority of Chinese immigrants in Singapore are from the southern part of China, and they carried with them a great variety of dialects; however, Koine is standardized for school and public use.

For tourists interested in accessing the local Chinese community or Chinatown, it may be helpful to know a few Mandarin expressions:.

Nǐ hǎo (Hello)
Xièxiè (Thank you)
Zàijiàn (Goodbye)

Tamil:

Tamil is spoken by 9% of Singapore population, mainly spoken by Indian community. It is one of the official languages supported by the government because it has great cultural contribution of Tamil-speaking Indian people.

Tourists can be help themselves by having a couple of Tamil expressions when they deal with people in Little India or at Tamil events related to culture:.

Kaalai Vanakkam (Good morning)
Nandri (Thank you)
Poittu Varen (I will come back)

Other Languages Spoken

Aside from the four official languages, some languages are also spoken in some communities:

Chinese Dialects: Among the older groups, still being spoken in dialect form, are Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, and Hakka.
Baba Malay: It is a creole that takes elements of the two languages, Malay and Hokkien. Primarily used by the Peranakan community.
Indian Languages: Along with Tamil, other languages such as Malayalam and Hindi are also spoken by Indian expatriate community.

Language Use in Daily Life

Language use varies across different contexts in Singapore. In formal settings—such as government offices or educational institutions—English or Mandarin is predominantly used. By contrast, informal situations usually involve local speakers using Singlish or their native languages.

Public signage throughout Singapore reflects its multilingual nature. Signs in various languages can be observed in MRT stations, bus stops, and tourist sites. This inclusivity has the implication that it is easier for people to find their way about.

Tips for Tourists

Use English as Your Main Language: While you are a tourist, you will find that it will be sufficient to get you through most situations, because most locals are conversant and ready to help.
Learn Basic Phrases: It can be helpful practicing some simple Malay or Mandarin phrases in order to facilitate better communication with residents, and express respect to the culture.
Embrace Singlish: Although it is preferable to stick to regular English to be understandable, if you know some Singlish words and expressions, you may be able to understand locals more on a friendly basis.
Respect Language Diversity: Be aware that language is fundamental to cultural identity, and that being respectful of other languages will enhance your travel experience.

Conclusion

The linguistic diversity aspect of Singapore is one its most interesting aspect. With English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil as the four languages of the state, which has various dialects in creole form like Singlish, it offers tourists sufficient opportunity to relate to this multicultural population.

This would allow tourists to understand what people speak in Singapore, thereby helping them navigate the city and develop deeper connections with its people. By embracing such linguistic richness during your visit, you will gain insight into what makes Singapore unique—a harmonious blend of cultures where every language has a story to tell.

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