From "Can or Not?" to "Is This Feasible?": The Singlish to English Business Guide

Singlish is efficient, expressive, and a core part of our identity. But let's face it: it doesn't always land well in international business settings.

When you're emailing a client in New York or London, phrases like "can or not?" or "please revert" can cause confusion—or worse, make you sound unprofessional.

The goal isn't to kill your Singlish (keep it for lunch with colleagues!). The goal is to master code-switching: knowing when to switch from colloquial Singaporean English to standard Business English.

The Ultimate Singlish to Professional English Dictionary

Here are the most common Singlish phrases we see in office emails, translated for a global audience.

Why Direct Translation Fails

Many of us think in Chinese or Malay syntax and translate directly to English. This creates "topic-comment" structures (e.g., "This report you finish already?") which sound grammatically incorrect to native English speakers.

In standard English, the subject usually comes first: "Have you finished this report?"

Quick Fixes for Better Grammar:

• Add subjects: Don't say "Received." Say "I received it."
• Watch your tenses: Don't say "Yesterday I go meeting." Say "Yesterday I went to the meeting."
• Soften your requests: Use "Could you..." or "Would you mind..." instead of starting with a verb.