Singlish for Living and Working in Singapore. Lesson 4.
In many Singapore offices, real relationships are built over makan. People bond while queueing for bubble tea, comparing hawker stalls and joking about who is most kiasu about lunch deals. In this lesson, you step into pantry and lunch conversations and learn how to use food as a safe, friendly topic to connect. You listen to colleagues inviting each other to makan together, talking about spice levels, halal options and vegetarian needs, and sharing weekend cafe tips. You notice how Singaporeans mix direct questions with warmth and how they tease each other without sounding unkind. You practise starting small talk, asking about dietary restrictions politely and responding when people check if you can handle the weather and chilli. By the end, you can join food chats naturally, avoid awkward comments and use simple humour and curiosity to build stronger relationships at work.
1. First pantry invite to makan with colleagues.
Let’s jump straight into a very typical Singapore office moment. It’s your first week in the company. It’s almost lunchtime, maybe 11.45am. You walk into the pantry to top up your water. A few colleagues are already there, chatting about food. One of them looks at you and decides to include you in their lunch plans. This is the moment where food small talk can really help you feel part of the team. In this block, you will first see and then listen to a short pantry scene. I want you to pay attention to two things. One, how people invite each other to makan, to go and eat, in a friendly but efficient way. Two, how people respond, especially when they are busy or shy, but still want to be polite. Don’t worry about catching every single word. Focus on noticing the rhythm, key phrases like “Later we go makan together?” and short replies such as “Can, sounds good.” After that, you’ll do a short task where you explain what is happening in the scene using your own words, and you’ll pull out a couple of phrases that you might want to reuse in your own office. Ready? Imagine yourself standing in that pantry now.
Pantry scene: your first week, just before lunch.
Picture this. You are standing in the office pantry, still quite new. Two colleagues, Aisha and Ben, are making kopi and chatting. Another colleague, Marcus, walks in. They start talking about lunch and they notice you.
> Aisha: Eh, later we go makan together?
>
> Ben: Can lah. Today you all want what? Hawker or salad place?
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> Marcus: I feel like chicken rice. The Tiong Bahru stall very shiok.
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> Aisha: Ok, but must make sure got halal option for me.
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> Ben: Can one, that kopitiam downstairs got halal chicken rice.
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> Aisha(to you): You wanna join us? Have you tried laksa already?
>
> You: Erm… I’m still getting used to the chilli, but can join. Thanks for asking.
>
> Ben: Good, we leave around 12.15, can?
In the short audio at the top of this block, you will hear a similar scene. Notice how invitations are often short and friendly:
“Later we go makan together?”
“You wanna join us?”
The responses are also short but warm:
“Can lah.”
“Can join, thanks for asking.”
“We leave around 12.15, can?”
Nobody is giving a long, textbook sentence like “Would you like to accompany us for lunch today?” The style is casual, efficient, but still kind.
What to listen for.
When you listen to the audio in the activity section, focus on:
Who invites whom?
Where are they planning to eat?
How do they check the time and everyone’s preferences?
You do not need to copy all the Singlish, but it’s useful to recognise phrases like “Later we go makan together?”, “Can or not?”, and “Ok lah.” You can then choose a slightly more neutral version, for example:
“Do you want to have lunch together later?”
“Sure, that works for me.”
In your task below, you will summarise what happens in the scene and quote two or three phrases that you might want to try in real life.
Practice & Feedback
Now imagine that you were really in this pantry conversation. Listen to the short audio once or twice. While you listen, note down in your head: Who starts the invitation, what options they discuss, and how they include you.
Then, write 4–6 sentences in your own words describing what happened in the scene. Explain:
Who invited whom, and how they invited the others to makan;
What kind of food place they are thinking about;
How they checked timing and tried to include you.
In your answer, quote at least two short phrases from the audio or from the examples above that sound natural to you (for example, “Later we go makan together?” or “Can join, thanks for asking.”). This helps you start building your own small phrase bank for future real lunches.
2. Inviting colleagues and replying in office style.
You have just seen how a natural invitation can happen in the pantry. Now, let’s slow down and look more closely at the language of inviting and responding. In Singapore offices, people usually keep these lines short and light. You’ll hear a mix of standard English and local style: words like makan, and little particles like lah or lor that add friendliness. As a newcomer, you don’t need to copy everything, but you should recognise the patterns so you don’t miss an invitation or sound too distant when you reply. In this block, we’ll build a small phrase bank you can actually use. We’ll compare a few more textbook-style lines with the versions you’re likely to hear here, and I’ll show you how to adjust them to a tone that feels comfortable for you. After that, you’ll practise by writing a few simple invitations and replies that could go into a real Teams or WhatsApp chat with your colleagues. The focus is on sounding warm, natural and clear, not on being perfect. Think about the colleagues you met earlier: how would you invite them next time, and how would you answer if you were busy, unsure, or very happy to join?
Common ways to invite colleagues to makan.
Singapore office invitations are usually short, friendly and practical. Here are some real-sounding examples you might hear or use:
Very local / casual:
“Later we go makan together?”
“Lunch how? You joining?”
“Eh, coffee break, want to come or not?”
Neutral, still natural:
“Want to grab lunch together later?”
“We’re going for kopi downstairs. Do you want to join?”
“We’re heading out to eat around 12.15. Free to come along?”
You can choose the style that fits you. If you’re not comfortable with eh or lah yet, use the neutral versions.
Natural ways to respond.
Again, keep it short. Notice how people often say can instead of a full sentence.
Saying yes:
“Can, sounds good.”
“Sure, I’d love to join.”
“Can, thanks for asking.”
Saying no or maybe:
“Today I got meeting, cannot join, sorry.”
“I tapao later, deadline a bit tight.”
“Today I skip, next time join you all, can?”
These replies are friendly but honest. You don’t have to give a long explanation, but one short reason can help people understand.
Mini pattern check.
Look at these three useful patterns from the lesson chunk bank:
“Later we go makan together?”
“Where do you normally eat lunch?”
“Thanks for bringing me to try this.”
Each one has a clear verb + object:
makan together
eat lunch
bring me to try
You can mix and match them:
“Later we go makan together at the hawker?”
“Thanks for bringing me to try this laksa.”
In the task below, you’ll write a few invitations and replies you could use with your own colleagues.
Practice & Feedback
Imagine you are messaging your new colleagues in a small office WhatsApp or Teams group. You want to sound friendly and open, but not too heavy with Singlish yet.
Write three short invitations and three short replies that could appear in this group chat:
Two invitations for today or tomorrow (for example, lunch, kopi, bubble tea).
One invitation for next week (for example, “Next time you must show us your favourite cafe.”).
For the replies, include: one yes, one no but friendly, and one maybe later response.
Keep each line similar in length to the examples on the screen, not long paragraphs. Try to reuse at least three chunks from this lesson, like “Later we go makan together?”, “Can join, thanks.” or “Next time you must show us your favourite cafe.”
Mini phrase bank for your chat.
Here are some lines you can adapt:
Later we go makan together?
Have you tried laksa already?
Where do you normally eat lunch?
Ok lah, next round is on me.
Thanks for bringing me to try this.
Can you take spicy?
I’m still getting used to the chilli.
Remember: you can make them a bit more or less local depending on your comfort level.
3. Checking halal and dietary needs politely.
Food invitations in Singapore are not only about what tastes good. They are also about being considerate. Many offices are very mixed: Muslim colleagues who need halal food, Hindu colleagues who avoid beef, vegetarians, vegans, or people with allergies. If you ask the wrong question, or if you forget to check, it can feel a bit insensitive. In this block, we focus on how to check and respect dietary needs in a way that feels natural and not too heavy. You will see a short mock group chat where colleagues are choosing a lunch place. Notice how they ask questions like, “Is this place halal?” and “Any food restrictions I should know?” and how they balance direct questions with softness. After that, you’ll summarise everyone’s needs and then make a simple, polite suggestion for a place. When you do this task, imagine it is your real team. How would you write in the chat so that everyone feels comfortable and included, but the decision is still efficient? Try to use a few phrases from the chunk bank like “I don’t eat pork, any recommendation?” or “Is this place halal?”.
Why dietary questions matter in Singapore.
In Singapore, colleagues are quite used to eating together in mixed groups. Because of this, many people are quick to ask about halal, vegetarian, no beef or other needs. Asking is not rude, but how you ask is important.
Compare these:
“You can eat pork or not?”
“Any food restrictions I should know?”
The first one is very direct and can feel a bit rude, especially if you don’t know the person well. The second is softer and shows respect.
Useful question patterns.
Here are some polite patterns you can use:
“Is this place halal?”
“Any food restrictions I should know?”
“I don’t eat pork, any recommendation?”
“Are you ok with this place, or you prefer somewhere halal?”
“Do you eat beef, or better to avoid?”
Notice the softeners:any, ok with, prefer and better to.
Sample group chat: choosing a place.
> Aisha: I need halal, ah. This Korean BBQ can or not?
> Raj: I’m vegetarian today, just finished some prayers.
> Mei Lin: I eat everything, but I don’t really take very spicy.
> James: Any halal vegetarian place near office?
> You: I’m fine with most things, just no beef for me.
> Aisha: There’s a halal vegetarian Indian place at B1. Can we try there?
> James: Can. Any food restrictions I should know before I book?
Here, James sounds considerate and efficient. He doesn’t ask, “So what you all cannot eat?” Instead, he uses a gentle, open question.
In the next activity, you will read a slightly different version of this chat and then write a short summary and a suggestion, as if you are helping your team decide.
Practice & Feedback
Read the short group chat carefully. Then do two things in your answer:
In 3–4 sentences, summarise everyone’s dietary needs in clear, simple English. Mention each person by name and what they can or cannot eat.
In 2–3 more sentences, suggest one type of place you think will work for everyone. Use at least one polite question or softener from this lesson, for example: “Any food restrictions I should know?” or “Are you ok with this place, or you prefer somewhere halal?”.
Imagine you are the one helping the team to choose. Your tone should be friendly, efficient and respectful. You are not just translating; you are acting like a real colleague in a real lunch discussion.
Group chat: where to eat?.
> Aisha: Later you all want to try the ramen place? I’m not sure if it’s halal.
>
> Raj: I better avoid that one, I don’t take pork and the soup all pork-based.
>
> Mei Lin: I’m ok with anything, just cannot be too spicy.
>
> You: I’m fine with most places, but I don’t eat beef.
>
> James: Is this place halal? Any food restrictions I should know before we decide?
>
> Aisha: I think not halal. Maybe we look for a halal place with vegetarian options?
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> Raj: Yes please, if can. Sorry ah, a bit troublesome.
>
> James: No worries, better we find somewhere everyone can makan happily.
4. Talking about chilli and light teasing at lunch.
Once your team has chosen a place and sat down, the conversation often turns to chilli. Singaporeans love to ask, “Can you take spicy?” or, “You sure can or not?” This can feel a bit like a test, but most of the time it is playful, not serious. In this block, we focus on how to answer those questions in a relaxed way and how to enjoy a bit of light teasing without feeling attacked or going too far yourself. You will read a short chat-style exchange between you and your colleagues while you are waiting for your food. Notice how they mix questions, comments like “Wah, you very brave” and friendly laughter. Then you will reply in a chat-style format, as if you are typing back on your phone. This is a good chance to practise lines like “I’m still getting used to the chilli” or “Can, but maybe today I go easy first.” As you write, think about your real chilli level. You don’t need to pretend. Being honest but light, with a bit of humour, is usually the best way to connect.
Typical chilli questions.
When colleagues find out you are new to Singapore, they often ask about spicy food. Some common lines:
“Can you take spicy?”
“You sure can or not?”
“First time trying laksa ah?”
These questions may sound quite direct, but the tone is usually playful. People are curious and also a bit proud of local food.
Natural ways to answer.
You can answer simply and honestly. Here are some options:
If you like spicy:
“Can, I love spicy.”
“Can take, no problem.”
“Wah, this one shiok.”
If you are not sure yet:
“I’m still getting used to the chilli.”
“Can a bit, but not too crazy.”
“Can, but maybe today I go easy first.”
If you really cannot:
“I cannot take spicy, my face becomes very red.”
“Better I choose the non-spicy one.”
Adding a small reason or a light joke helps everyone relax.
Light teasing: how to join in.
Look at this mini dialogue:
> Ben: Can you take spicy? This sambal quite power, you know.
> You: I’m still getting used to the chilli, but can try a bit.
> Aisha: Wah, you very brave. Later we see you cry or not.
> You: If I cry, you all must order dessert for me.
> Mei Lin: Ok lah, next round is on me.
There is a lot of laughter here, but no one is truly unkind. The teasing is softened by words like wah, ok lah, little jokes, and offers like paying for dessert.
In the activity, you’ll continue a similar chat and practise writing your own friendly replies.
Practice & Feedback
Read the chat below as if it is happening in your team’s WhatsApp group while you are waiting for your laksa to arrive.
Then, reply as yourself in a chat-style way. Write 4–6 short messages, not one long paragraph. You can:
answer their chilli questions honestly;
make one or two small jokes about your reaction;
thank them if they encourage you.
Try to reuse at least three chunks from this lesson, such as “I’m still getting used to the chilli.”, “Can you take spicy?”, “Wah, you very brave.” or “Ok lah, next round is on me.” Keep the tone friendly and light, like real colleagues who are slowly getting comfortable with one another.
> Ben: Today we let you try proper laksa already.
>
> Aisha: Can you take spicy, or you want us to stand by tissue for you?
>
> Mei Lin: You sure can or not? This stall quite famous for the chilli.
>
> Ben: Later your face all red, we post in group chat.
>
> Aisha: Kidding lah, we take care of you.
5. Keeping food small talk going with weekend plans.
Food small talk in Singapore doesn’t stop once you comment on the taste. Very quickly, colleagues may move from, “The laksa is shiok” to “Weekend you usually do what?” or “Any nice cafe you tried?”. This is how people gently open up about their lives without becoming too personal. In this block, we look at how to connect food, weather and weekend activities so that the chat flows naturally. You will read a short scene where, after lunch, your colleagues talk about what they usually do on weekends and which cafes or hawker stalls they like. Notice how they share a little bit, ask simple follow-up questions, and give compliments like, “Wah, you know all the hidden food spots.” After that, you’ll write about your own habits and respond to one colleague’s story. Think of this as practice for real conversations in the pantry or when you walk back to the office. Your goal is to sound interested and open, without giving your whole life story.
From food to weekend and cafe talk.
Food is often the starting point, not the whole conversation. Once everyone has their food and the first few bites, the small talk can move like this:
> food → weather → weekend → favourite places
Here is a simple example:
> You: This laksa is really good. Very different from what I had back home.
> Ben: Ya, Singapore weather also makes spicy food feel shiok.
> You: True, today so hot. Weekend you usually do what? Stay home in the aircon?
> Ben: Sometimes. But I like to explore new cafes.
> You: Wah, you know all the hidden food spots. Next time you must show us your favourite cafe.
Useful questions and reactions.
Questions to keep things going:
“Weekend you usually do what?”
“Where do you normally eat lunch?”
“Any nice cafe you recommend?”
“You usually cook at home or makan outside?”
Friendly reactions and compliments:
“Wah, you know all the hidden food spots.”
“That sounds very shiok.”
“Next time you must show us your favourite cafe.”
“Thanks for bringing me to try this.”
Short scene: after-lunch chat.
> Aisha: This place quite nice right? Not so crowded.
> You: Ya, and the food is really good. Thanks for bringing me to try this.
> Mei Lin: No problem. Weekend you usually do what? Explore Singapore or still unpacking boxes?
> You: A bit of both. I’m still new, so mostly exploring food.
> Ben: Wah, good life. I just send my kids to tuition, then collapse at home.
> You: Any area you like to explore for makan? Maybe we can go after work one day.
In the task below, you’ll write about your own weekend and respond to a colleague, using some of these patterns.
Practice & Feedback
Imagine you are sitting at the table after lunch, still chatting with Aisha and Ben as you slowly finish your drink. They ask you about your weekend, and Ben shares a bit about his.
Write two short parts:
In 4–5 sentences, describe what you usually do on weekends in Singapore or in your current city. Include at least one mention of food or cafes, and try to use one question you could ask your colleagues back.
In 2–3 sentences, react to Ben’s situation: he is busy with kids and feels tired. Show interest and maybe suggest a future makan or cafe trip, using a phrase like “Next time you must show us your favourite cafe.” or “Thanks for bringing me to try this.”
Keep the tone light and friendly, as if you’re really talking to them while stacking trays after lunch.
6. Full food small talk roleplay with your new team.
You’ve now practised each part of the food small talk journey: accepting invitations, checking dietary needs, talking about chilli, and moving into weekend and cafe stories. In this final block, you will put everything together in one small roleplay. Imagine it is Friday. Your colleagues start a group chat to plan lunch. They invite you, they worry about halal and vegetarian options, they tease you about chilli, and they ask about your weekend. Your job is to write your side of the conversation so that it feels like you are really there, messaging them in real time. You do not need to use heavy Singlish, but you should sound like you are in Singapore, not in a textbook. Try to reuse a few chunks from the lesson, such as “Later we go makan together?”, “Can you take spicy?”, “I’m still getting used to the chilli.” and “Ok lah, next round is on me.” After you write, I will respond as if I were your colleagues in the chat, so you can feel the flow of a natural exchange. Treat this as a safe space to experiment and find your own Singapore voice.
Bringing it all together.
So far in this lesson, you have seen different small pieces of a typical Singapore food conversation at work:
A pantry invitation: “Later we go makan together?”
Checking needs: “Is this place halal?” “Any food restrictions I should know?”
Chilli talk and teasing: “Can you take spicy?” “I’m still getting used to the chilli.”
Extending the chat: “Weekend you usually do what?” “Next time you must show us your favourite cafe.”
Now you’ll combine these ingredients into one continuous roleplay.
Scenario: Friday lunch group chat.
Imagine this is your team’s WhatsApp group. You see these messages:
> Ben: Eh, later we go makan together?
> Aisha: I need halal, ah. Maybe the food court at B1?
> Mei Lin: I’m ok, just cannot be too spicy.
> Ben: New colleague, you join us or not? Can you take spicy?
> Aisha: If cannot, we can choose something else.
> Mei Lin: Weekend you usually do what? Maybe can explore new cafe after work one day.
You will write your messages that appear between and after theirs. This is not a formal email. It’s quick, friendly chat.
Tips for your roleplay.
Start by answering the invitation clearly: yes, no, or maybe later.
Check or confirm any dietary needs politely if needed.
React to the chilli question honestly, with or without a joke.
Share one or two short details about your weekend or favourite food.
End with a friendly closing, such as “Thanks for bringing me to try this” or “Ok lah, next round is on me.”
In the activity below, you’ll write your full side of the chat, as if you are really typing on your phone.
Practice & Feedback
Now it’s your turn to run the whole small talk sequence.
Reply as yourself in this Friday lunch group chat. Imagine the colleagues’ lines from the screen appear in your phone. Write 8–10 short chat messages that you would send over the next few minutes. You can:
accept or decline the invitation;
mention any food preferences or restrictions you have;
answer the chilli question honestly, maybe with a small joke;
share one or two things about your weekend or favourite places;
end with a friendly comment, like “Ok lah, next round is on me.” or “Next time you must show us your favourite cafe.”
Keep each message on a separate line, like a real chat, and try to reuse at least four chunks from this lesson. Don’t worry if your style is more neutral than your colleagues’. The goal is to sound like you, but in a Singapore office context.
> Ben: Eh, later we go makan together?
>
> Aisha: I need halal, ah. Maybe the food court at B1?
>
> Mei Lin: I’m ok, just cannot be too spicy.
>
> Ben: New colleague, you join us or not? Can you take spicy?
>
> Aisha: If cannot, we can choose something else.
>
> Mei Lin: Weekend you usually do what? Maybe can explore new cafe after work one day.
