A lighthearted video by content creator Angel Tao, known online as @angeldoestuff, has won over Singaporeans after she shared a clip of herself speaking Singlish phrases she picked up while hanging around Singaporean friends during her exchange.
Posted six days ago to TikTok and Instagram, the video carried the captions: “Teach me more Singlish guys, I wanna surprise my friends” and “Rate my Singlish.”
In the clip, the 21-year-old introduces a string of familiar local expressions that instantly struck a chord with Singapore viewers.
“Why you liddat one?”
“Why you speak like angmoh?”
“Abuden.”
“Walao eh, the children so noisy sia.”
“Can a-not?”
“You want go see see?”
“I know oredy.”
“You think I so free meh?”
“Jiayous!”
“Ya lor!”
“Oh shucks!”
The phrases, delivered with confidence and playful flair, quickly drew amused reactions from Singaporeans online.
Singaporeans Approve: “You Can Move Here Liao”
The comments section was just as entertaining as the video itself, with many Singaporeans praising Angel’s effort and joking that she was already sounding like a local.
One user wrote:
“You can consider moving here liao!”
Another commenter was even more impressed, saying:
“Approved!!! You just said more Singlish than a regular Singaporean in few seconds!!!!! Power siah!”
Others appreciated the details in how she delivered the lines.
A viewer pointed out:
“Fabulously spoken: ‘You THINK I so free meh’ Damn 💯 right to emphasize the word ‘think’!”
Another simply thanked her for embracing the culture:
“Thank you for the cultural appreciation 😆😆 so cute”
Angel herself appeared to lean into the positive response, replying:
“I’m working on part 2 already guys, follow if u wan see see”
A Bit of Singapore Away From Home
According to her Instagram bio, Angel describes herself as a “21 | Chinese Kiwi,” currently on exchange at Zhejiang University, while studying commerce at University of Melbourne.
Her video resonated not just because of the humour, but because Singlish often carries a sense of familiarity and home for Singaporeans, especially those living abroad.
Expressions like “ya lor,” “walao eh,” and “liddat” are more than slang — they are part of everyday Singapore speech and identity.
Seeing someone outside Singapore pick them up so naturally turned the clip into a feel-good moment of cultural appreciation.
The Beauty of Singlish
Singlish has long been part of Singapore’s cultural conversation. As described by Marc Sim in The Beauty of Singlish (2013), it sits alongside Standard English while carrying its own history, rhythm, and character. Over the years, it has grown in visibility and recognition, becoming an unmistakable thread in the national tapestry.
Singlish now flourishes across the local arts scene — in theatre, TV dramas, standup comedy, and primetime programmes. Its presence adds a distinctively Singaporean flavour to public discourse and entertainment.
Crucially, Singlish reflects the country’s multi-ethnic identity. With roots in English, Malay, Hokkien, Mandarin, Tamil, and more, it acts as a linguistic meeting point for Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, and Eurasian communities.
At work, Standard English may take the lead — but among friends, Singlish softens edges, lightens conversations, and fosters closeness.
Sim notes that Singlish often mirrors Mandarin grammar (“Can sit?” “Where you?” “Where got?!”), and its code-switching — sometimes across three languages in a single sentence — remains one of its most defining and delightful features.
Above all, Singlish is emotional. For Singaporeans abroad, it becomes a bridge to home. As Sim puts it, Singlish “stays within the hearts of Singaporeans home and abroad.”
Singlish, Shared With a Smile
The warm reaction reflects how Singlish continues to be a source of pride and connection for many Singaporeans.
What began as a playful attempt to surprise her Singaporean friends has now become a viral moment celebrating the way language travels across borders.
For overseas Singaporeans, the clip also struck a nostalgic note.
One comment read:
“So good! As an overseas Singaporean I haven’t heard this in awhile, this is hitting too close to home ❤️”
At this rate, viewers might just be waiting for part two.
Watch the video here:
@angeldoestuff Rate my singlish #singapore #singlish #student
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
“Wah, So Shiok!” Miss Universe Singapore Teaches Global Delegates How to Speak Singlish
Singapore’s Mei Fei in Bharatanatyam—A Dance Journey Bridging Cultures
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