What Language Is Spoken In Singapore?

The Four Official Languages of Singapore

Singapore has four official languages:

Thanks to bilingual education, most Singaporeans speak at least two languages—often English plus their ethnic mother tongue.

English – The Most Common Singapore Language

• Spoken by: ~80% of Singaporeans (main language in business, education, and government).

• Why English?

• A legacy of British colonial rule.

• Chosen as a neutral language to unite the multi-ethnic population.

• Helps Singapore stay competitive in global trade and finance.

• Fun fact: Singapore ranks 5th in the world for best non-native English speakers!

✅ If you visit Singapore, English will get you around just fine.

Malay – The National Language

• Spoken by: ~10% of Singaporeans (mostly ethnic Malays).

• Why is Malay the national language?

• Malay was the indigenous language of Singapore before British colonization.

• The national anthem Majulah Singapura is sung in Malay.

• Used in ceremonial and military settings, but not widely spoken daily.

✅ Malay is an official language, but it’s not as commonly used in everyday life as English or Mandarin.

Mandarin Chinese – The Most Spoken Mother Tongue

• Spoken by: ~35% of Singaporeans (mostly ethnic Chinese).

• Why Mandarin?

• Singapore has a majority Chinese population (~75%).

• The government promoted Mandarin through the "Speak Mandarin Campaign" in 1979.

• Chinese dialects like Hokkien, Cantonese, and Teochew were discouraged in favor of Mandarin.

✅ Mandarin is widely spoken, but older generations may still prefer Chinese dialects.

Tamil – The Official Indian Language

• Spoken by: ~5% of Singaporeans (mostly ethnic Tamils).

• Why Tamil?

• Many early Indian migrants came from southern India, where Tamil is spoken.

• Tamil is the only official Indian language, but students can also learn Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Urdu, and others in school.

✅ Tamil is widely used in the Indian community, but not as commonly spoken outside it.

Other Languages & Dialects Spoken in Singapore

Besides the official languages, many dialects and minority languages exist:

🗣 Chinese Dialects

• Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hainanese – Once common but declined due to the "Speak Mandarin Campaign."

• 12% of Singaporeans still speak a Chinese dialect at home.

• Hokkien is making a small comeback in pop culture and TV shows.

🗣 Indian Languages

• Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu, Malayalam, Telugu – Still taught in schools but not widely spoken.

🗣 Other Languages

• Javanese, Gujarati, Sinhala, Sindhi, Singaporean Sign Language – Spoken by smaller communities.

Singlish – Singapore’s "Unofficial" Language

• What is Singlish?

• A creole language that mixes English with Malay, Chinese, and Tamil words.

• Has unique grammar and slang that non-Singaporeans find hard to understand.

• Example Sentences:

• "Wah lau, the movie damn sian." → ("That movie was really boring.")

• "Can or not?" → ("Is that possible?")

• Government’s View on Singlish:

• The "Speak Good English Movement" discourages Singlish in favor of standard English.

• However, many Singaporeans are proud of Singlish as part of their national identity!

✅ If you stay in Singapore long enough, you’ll definitely hear and pick up some Singlish!

Can You Get By with Just English in Singapore?

✅ Yes! English is the main language used in business, schools, and daily life.
✅ Public signs, menus, and official documents are all in English.
❌ If you want to connect with locals more deeply, learning some Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil can be helpful!

FAQ

1. What is the main language spoken in Singapore?

English is the most widely spoken, but Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil are also official languages.

2. Is English an official language in Singapore?

Yes! English is the primary language for business, education, and government.

3. Do Singaporeans speak Mandarin or Cantonese?

Mandarin is the official Chinese language, but some older generations still speak Cantonese, Hokkien, and Teochew.

4. Is Singlish a real language?

Yes! Singlish has its own grammar and vocabulary, but it is not officially recognized by the government.

5. Can I live in Singapore without knowing any other language besides English?

Yes! English is widely spoken, and most people can communicate in it. However, knowing some Singlish or local phrases can help you connect with locals better.