Many Singapore locals end their sentences with the word ‘lah’ and it completely threw me the first time I heard someone say it. What does ‘lah’ mean?
Since then, I’ve learned that ‘lah’ is part of a local dialect affectionately known as Singlish. It’s a mix of English, Malay, Cantonese and several other languages and it also includes American slang commonly found in TV and movies. Essentially, ‘lah’ is used to soften the force of a statement while also encouraging solidarity. It’s commonly used to modify a verb into a command, especially when the verb may seem impolite. But, conversely, ‘lah’ can also be used to emphasize power and express annoyance, when stressed.
A few examples:
- Okay, lah
- I dun have, lah
- No can do, lah
- Not my fault, lah
Recently I saw an advertisement posted near a bus stop shelter including the word. Funny, lah?
Singapore Advertisement
A while back I attempted my best Tarzan impression and it didn’t end well. That is, unless you consider a bonk on my head from the falling vine success.
It’s so much fun living somewhere with hanging vines… even though it’s clearly making me regress into childhood mode. Anyway, take two went much better.
Urban Tarzan
Reverse angle!
Who knew you could get away from it all and enjoy nature and the great outdoors right in Singapore’s backyard? There’s a little bit of everything for everyone. Camping? Waterskiing, swimming and fishing? No problem.
You’d be hard pressed to find a more serene, tranquil backdrop to enjoy a afternoon with your honey. Sit back, relax, and watch the occasional boat drift by the costal shoreline. It really doesn’t get better than this.
Singapore East Coast Camping
If camping isn’t your thing, give fishing a try. Pack a light lunch, and spread out on the soft bank and enjoy the afternoon trying to catch the one that almost got away. This is what fishing stories are made of.
Singapore East Coast Fishing
If you’re into active sports, check-out the great water skiing. What? You say you don’t have a ski boat? No big deal. Just get in line and wait for your turn on the rope-tow. You can almost smell the outboard motor blue smoke in front of you.
Singapore East Coast Water Skiing
And, if you need to cool off at the end of the day, take a refreshing swim in the ocean. Just watch-out for the fishing lines. Because if the water is clean enough to eat fish from, it’s certainly clean enough to swim in. Right?
Singapore East Coast Swimming
