What Does ‘Got Standard’ Really Mean in Singlish?
In Singlish, ‘got standard’ is more than just a casual compliment—it’s a badge of honour. When someone says something or someone ‘got standard’, they’re not just being nice. They’re giving you the Singaporean equivalent of a chef’s kiss. It means the thing—or person—has quality, substance, and style. It’s our way of saying, ‘solid lah bro.’
TL;DR Summary
- ‘Got standard’ is a versatile Singlish phrase meaning something has quality or high calibre.
- Can be used to praise food, people, skills, fashion, or even behavior.
- Usage depends on context—it can be sincere, sarcastic, or even passive-aggressive.
- Deeply tied to Singaporean culture and values like humility, excellence, and subtle judgment.
- Mastering this phrase helps you understand Singlish on a deeper level and bond with fellow locals more naturally.
The Essence of Singlish
What is Singlish?
Singlish is Singapore’s unofficial national language—the rojak linguistic buffet made from English, Malay, Hokkien, Mandarin, Tamil, and a sprinkle of everything else. It’s expressive, efficient, and painfully honest. For example:
- ‘You eat already or not?’ instead of ‘Have you eaten?’
- ‘So expensive, how to buy?’ instead of ‘It’s too expensive to purchase.’
But at its core, Singlish isn’t just about broken grammar. It’s local slang with identity. When you speak it well, not only do you sound like a true-blue Singaporean, but you also create immediate cultural connection.
Got Standard Meaning: Unraveling This Essential Singlish Phrase
Now hor, don’t just agar agar throw ‘got standard’ everywhere like kiasu confetti. Let’s break down this popular Singlish phrase that every local should master.
Got Standard Meaning: To say something has quality, is impressive, or meets (and often exceeds) expectations. Synonyms? Think: power lah, solid, shiok, or even atas (if something is fancy-nice).
How to Use Singlish Effectively – Example Scenarios:
- Food: ‘Wah, this laksa got standard. Gravy thick and got wok hei somemore.’
- People: ‘That emcee got standard leh. Very smooth and funny.’
- Outfits: ‘Your dress today really got standard. Go wedding ah?’
- Behaviour: ‘She handle that customer until so calm. Got standard, man.’
It’s flexible, and if you say it with the right tone, it expresses genuine respect, awe, and even a bit of envy. But ah, say it wrong—wrong tone, wrong timing—you can sound fake or sarcastic. Which brings us to understanding Singlish nuances…
How to Use Singlish Effectively in Daily Conversations
Every serious Singlish speaker knows—it’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. Understanding Singlish means mastering these subtle art forms.
Using ‘got standard’ effectively means knowing:
- Context: Use it when something genuinely deserves praise. Don’t fake it, unless you’re making a joke.
- Tone: Tone matters ok. A sincere ‘got standard’ sounds totally different from a sarcastic ‘wah got standard hor…’
- Timing: Knowing when to say ‘lah’, ‘leh’, or ‘lor’ makes or breaks your Singlish game. (See: When to use lah in Singlish)
Also important: Don’t overuse it. Use one or two high-impact ‘got standard’ bombs during a meal or discussion to impress your group. If you keep saying it, people will think you dunno other words or just act one atas.
Embracing Singlish in Everyday Conversations
As a local blogger who still says ‘one kind’ when describing weirdos and shouts ‘aiyoh!’ when the MRT gets stuck between stations—we need to talk about where ‘got standard’ fits in everyday speech and daily conversation.
Here’s how you hear and use this essential local slang naturally:
- At the hawker centre: ‘This satay got standard. Sauce not watery like other place.’
- During work: ‘Boss presentation today really got standard. Got graphs, jokes, everything.’
- With your homies: ‘Your playlist got standard sia. Every song banger.’
- In dating: ‘He wear so sharp on first date—got standard or trying too hard?’
And sometimes, it helps subtly diss someone without being straight-up harsh:
- With shade: ‘Wah, the way she talk, like really got standard hor…’ (followed by jean shorts and louboutins on rainy day)
This insider tone—this play between compliment and kaypoh—is what makes Singlish richer than roasted peanuts in satay sauce.
Preserving the Cultural Significance of Singlish
Let’s not shy away from celebrating Singlish phrases and their deep connection to Singaporean culture. While some still say it’s ‘bad English’, real Singaporeans know it’s good culture. In fact, Singlish—and expressions like ‘got standard’—reflect our shared values:
- Efficiency: Why say ‘that’s good quality’ when ‘got standard’ can settle?
- Subtlety: Saying something is ‘ok lah’ vs. ‘got standard’ speaks volumes without sounding hao lian.
- Identity: Whether you’re Chinese, Malay, Indian or “rojak mix”, we all bond over Singlish. It crosses language barriers in ways standard English cannot.
As we grow increasingly globalised, preserving local slang in our vocabulary is a soft rebellion—one that says: I may Netflix binge, but I still say ‘alamak’.
So the next time someone aces a presentation, cooks a banging mee goreng, or just dresses like they belong on Orchard Road runway—you know what to say.
Got standard.
FAQs: Real Singaporeans Know When to Say ‘Got standard’
- 1. When should I say ‘got standard’?
Use it when you want to compliment someone or something for quality, taste, style, or effort. Just don’t overdo it or it’ll lose impact. - 2. Can ‘got standard’ be used sarcastically?
Yes, tone is key. Drag the words or add certain facial expressions and it instantly becomes sarcasm. - 3. Is ‘got standard’ only used for good things?
Mostly. But it can be used ironically to highlight when something pretends to be good but isn’t. - 4. Is ‘got standard’ used among older or younger Singaporeans?
Both. Older generations tend to use it more sincerely. Younger ones, especially Gen Z, might use it playfully or with irony. - 5. What are some alternatives to ‘got standard’?
Try using ‘power’, ‘shiok’, or even ‘solid’. But nothing hits quite like ‘got standard’. - 6. Can non-Singaporeans use this phrase?
Yes, but be careful with tone and timing. Use it respectfully—we’ll know if you fake it. - 7. Why does this phrase matter?
Because it’s uniquely Singaporean. It’s layered, cultural, and emotionally expressive in ways textbooks don’t teach.