Spoil Market

Understand what Spoil market means in Singlish context with this comprehensive glossary guide. Explore other essential Singlish terms and how Lark is loved by Southeast Asian customers and beyond.

Lark Editorial Team | 2024/6/29
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What does spoil market mean in singlish?

In Singlish, "spoil market" is a colloquial phrase that means to ruin or disrupt a situation, especially when it comes to someone's plans or expectations. It is commonly used to describe someone or something that causes inconvenience or hinders progress. This term is often used in both business and personal settings to express frustration or disappointment.

Examples of saying spoil market

Singlish is a unique blend of English, Malay, Hokkien, and other languages, commonly spoken in Singapore. Here are some examples of situations where Singaporeans would say "spoil market":

  1. In a business setting: If a colleague fails to deliver their part of a project on time, causing delays and affecting the overall outcome, someone might say, "Aiyo, he really spoil market lah!"

  2. In a personal setting: Suppose a friend cancels plans at the last minute, forcing everyone to change their arrangements. One might say, "Why always like that? Spoil market only!"

These examples highlight how Singaporeans use the term "spoil market" to express their dissatisfaction or annoyance when someone or something disrupts their plans or expectations.

How did the word spoil market come about?

The popularity of the term "spoil market" in Singlish can be attributed to the influence of various languages and cultures in Singapore. The phrase is believed to have originated from the Hokkien dialect, where "spoiling the market" refers to someone causing a disturbance or hindrance to a business transaction. Over time, it has become a widely used expression in Singlish to describe any situation where plans or expectations are disrupted.

The term resonates with Singaporeans due to their multicultural background and their ability to adapt and integrate different languages into their daily conversations. It has become an integral part of Singlish, reflecting the unique linguistic identity of Singapore.

The alternative ways of saying spoil market in english

For those who are not familiar with Singlish, here are alternative ways of expressing the concept of "spoil market" in English:

  1. Ruin the situation: This phrase can be used to describe someone or something that causes disruption or inconvenience, similar to the idea of "spoiling the market."

  2. Mess things up: This expression implies that someone has caused a disturbance or created a problem, leading to an unfavorable outcome.

  3. Throw a wrench in the works: This idiom suggests that someone has unexpectedly disrupted plans or progress, causing difficulties or delays.

These alternatives capture the essence of "spoiling the market" by conveying the idea of someone or something hindering or ruining a situation.

Real-life examples of singaporeans saying spoil market

Example 1

In a business meeting:

Person A: "We were all set to launch the new product next week, but the supplier just informed us that they can't deliver on time."

Person B: "Oh no, they really spoil market! Now we have to delay the entire launch."

Example 2

In a personal gathering:

Friend A: "I've been looking forward to this beach outing for weeks, but it started raining just as we arrived!"

Friend B: "What bad luck! The weather really knows how to spoil market."

Example 3

At a restaurant:

Customer A: "I ordered the steak medium-rare, but they served it well-done."

Customer B: "That's so disappointing. They definitely spoil market with their cooking."

Related terms and concepts to spoil market in singlish context

Related Term or Concept 1

"Jialat" - This term is often used in Singlish to describe a situation that is in a dire or terrible state. It can be used interchangeably with "spoil market" to express a similar sentiment of frustration or disappointment.

Related Term or Concept 2

"Kena sabo" - This phrase is commonly used in Singlish to describe being set up or being made a scapegoat. It is similar to "spoiling the market" as it involves someone intentionally causing trouble or inconvenience for another person.

Related Term or Concept 3

"Bo jio" - This phrase is used to express disappointment or feeling left out when someone fails to invite or inform others of an event or activity. It can be seen as a form of "spoiling the market" by excluding others from an opportunity or experience.

These related terms and concepts in Singlish further emphasize the various ways Singaporeans express their frustrations or disappointments when plans or expectations are disrupted.

Conclusion

In Singlish, "spoil market" is a commonly used phrase to describe situations where plans or expectations are disrupted, causing frustration or disappointment. Its popularity can be attributed to the multicultural background of Singaporeans and their ability to integrate different languages into their everyday conversations. The term reflects the unique linguistic identity of Singapore and is widely understood by locals. For those unfamiliar with Singlish, alternative expressions such as "ruin the situation" or "mess things up" can convey a similar meaning. Understanding the concept of "spoil market" in Singlish can help facilitate better communication with Singaporeans in both business and personal settings.

FAQ

"Spoil market" in Singlish means to ruin or disrupt a situation, especially someone's plans or expectations. It expresses frustration or disappointment when someone or something causes inconvenience or hinders progress.

Yes, "spoil market" is commonly used in both business and personal settings. It can refer to disruptions in projects, plans, outings, or any situation where expectations are not met.

The term "spoil market" is believed to have originated from the Hokkien dialect, where it referred to causing a disturbance or hindrance in a business transaction. Over time, it became a widely used expression in Singlish to describe any situation where plans or expectations are disrupted.

Yes, alternative ways to express the concept of "spoil market" in English include phrases like "ruin the situation," "mess things up," or "throw a wrench in the works." These alternatives convey the idea of someone or something hindering or ruining a situation.

Certainly! Here are a few examples:

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