where got

English

Etymology

Compare Hokkien 佗落有 (tó-lo̍h ū, “how is it […] ?”, literally “where is there”). 有 (“have; there is”) is rendered as got in Singlish.

Also compare Malay mana ada and dialectal Mandarin 哪裡有 / 哪里有 (nǎlǐ yǒu).

Pronunciation

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): /ˈwɛː ɡɔt/, [ˈwɛː˦ ɡɔt˨], (very rare, some older speakers) /ˈhw-/
  • IPA^(key): (sentence-final alternative) /ˈwɛː ˈɡɔt/, [ˈwɛː˦ ˈɡɔt˦˧]

Phrase

where got (Singlish, Manglish, rhetorical, idiomatic)

1. Used to challenge the validity of an assertion.

   — Let’s not do this one. Looks damn scary.
   — This ride where got scary one? ― I don’t see how this ride is supposed to be scary.

2. Used in questions expressing doubt about the existence or occurrence of something.

   Nowadays where got time? ― We don’t really have time nowadays.

References

• Nala Huiying Lee, Ling Ai Ping, Hiroki Nomoto (2009) “Colloquial Singapore English got: functions and substratal influences”, in World Englishes, volume 28, number 3, →DOI, pages 293-318