What does “can or not” mean? Singlish meaning and example

can or not

phraseEnglish

Is it possible? Will you? Also a dare: think you can do it?

“Tomorrow you fetch me at 7, can or not? Can!”

Also: can, can lah, can can

More Singlish from English

best Said with a sigh: great, just great, when things get worse.

bluff To lie to someone, fool them.

blur Confused, slow to catch on (“blur like sotong”).

bumboat Small motorboat used to carry goods and people, like on the Singapore River or to Pulau…

cannot make it Not good enough, not up to the mark; also can’t come.

catch no ball Don’t understand at all, totally lost.

chop chop Quickly, hurry up.

chope To reserve a seat, usually with a packet of tissue.

Words that use “can or not”

adik “Adik, can help me pass the tissue?”

also can “Chicken or fish? Also can.”

bobian “Last train gone already, bobian, take taxi.”

boleh “Tomorrow got time? Boleh, see you there.”

cincai “Where to eat? Cincai lah, anything also can.”

fetch “Can fetch my son from school at 1?”

follow “You going to the mall? Can I follow?”

kakak “Kakak, can help me hang the clothes?”

Questions

What does “can or not” mean in Singlish?

Is it possible? Will you? Also a dare: think you can do it? It’s a phrase.

Where does “can or not” come from?

From English. Other Singlish words from English include best, bluff, blur and bumboat.

How do you use “can or not” in a sentence?

“Tomorrow you fetch me at 7, can or not? Can!” It turns up in other words’ examples too: see adik, also can and bobian.

How else is “can or not” spelt?

Singlish has no fixed spelling: people also write “can”, “can lah” or “can can”.

Liddat’s own words, from the Singlish dictionary: 312 words and phrases, A to Z.