Chop Chop

In Singlish, "chop chop" is an expression that means to hurry up or move quickly. It is often used to urge someone to complete a task or to speed up their actions.

Singlish is a unique form of English spoken in Singapore that incorporates elements of various languages, including Malay, Hokkien, and Tamil. Here are some examples of situations where Singaporeans would say "chop chop" in both business and personal settings:

1. Business setting:

• During a meeting, a manager might say, "Let's wrap this up, chop chop. We have another meeting in 10 minutes."
• When assigning tasks to a team, a supervisor might say, "Everyone, chop chop! We need to finish this project by the end of the day."

2. Personal setting:

• If friends are getting ready to go out and one of them is taking a long time, someone might say, "Come on, chop chop! We're going to be late."
• When waiting for someone to make a decision, a person might say, "Don't take too long, chop chop. We need to move forward."

The word "chop chop" in Singlish originates from the Hokkien phrase "chhiah chhiah," which means "quickly" or "hurry up." Hokkien is a Chinese dialect spoken by a significant portion of the population in Singapore. Over time, the phrase "chhiah chhiah" evolved into the Singlish term "chop chop," which is now widely used to convey a sense of urgency or to prompt someone to act quickly.

For those who are not familiar with Singlish, there are alternative ways to convey the same urgency or prompt someone to hurry up in English. Some alternatives to saying "chop chop" include:

1. Hurry up
2. Move quickly
3. Speed it up
4. Get a move on
5. Step on it
6. Be quick
7. Time is running out
8. Quick, quick

Related Term or Concept 1

• Kancheong: This Singlish term is used to describe someone who is anxious or nervous. It is often used in situations where there is a sense of urgency or pressure to complete a task quickly.

Related Term or Concept 2

• Mai tu liao: This Singlish phrase means "don't delay" or "don't wait any longer." It is similar to "chop chop" and is used to prompt someone to hurry up or take action immediately.

Related Term or Concept 3

• Steady Pom Pi Pi: This Singlish phrase is used to describe someone who is calm, composed, and efficient. It is often used to praise someone who can handle tasks quickly and smoothly.

In Singlish, "chop chop" is a commonly used expression to urge someone to hurry up or move quickly. It originated from the Hokkien phrase "chhiah chhiah" and has become a popular term in Singaporean English. Understanding the meaning and usage of "chop chop" can help non-Singaporeans navigate conversations and interactions in Singaporean workplaces or social settings.