新加坡元
Xīnjiāpōyuán
The phrase 'singapore dollar' in Chinese is 新加坡元 (Xīnjiāpōyuán). Wiktionary also lists 新元 (Xīnyuán) and 新幣 / 新币 (Xīnbì).
Meaning: official currency of Singapore (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 新加坡元 | Xīnjiāpōyuán |
| 新元 | Xīnyuán |
| 新幣 / 新币 | Xīnbì |
| 坡幣 / 坡币 | Pōbì |
These terms are used to refer to the official currency of Singapore.
Which one should you use?
新元 is a shortened, more concise version of 新加坡元 often used in news headlines or financial contexts. While 新加坡元 uses the character 元 (yuán), which refers to the specific unit, 新币 uses the character 币 (bì), which means 'currency'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
新加坡元 is a formal way to say Singapore Dollar. In formal financial reporting or exchange rate tables, 新元 is the most common way to denote the Singapore dollar. 新币 is an informal way to say Singapore Dollar. 坡币 is a highly informal, colloquial shorthand used in casual conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
坡币 uses the character 坡 (pō), which is a common abbreviation for Singapore (新加坡).
How do you pronounce it?
Xīnjiāpōyuán
Did you know?
- The traditional character for currency 幣 contains a radical that represents a 'shell', a nod to the ancient use of cowrie shells as money.
- Speakers of Singlish often blend languages by inserting the English word 'dollar' directly into a Chinese sentence instead of using 新加坡元.
- In the colloquial term 坡币, the character 坡 literally means 'slope' or 'hill', serving as a phonetic shorthand for Singapore.
Examples in context
- 你能借给我一些新币吗？Can you lend me some Singapore Dollars?
- 我手里只有新加坡元。Wǒ shǒulǐ zhǐyǒu Xīnjiāpó yuán.I only have Singapore dollars on me.
- 新加坡元现在很值钱。Xīnjiāpó yuán xiànzài hěn zhíqián.The Singapore dollar is very valuable right now.
Example conversation
At a currency exchange booth in an airport.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen请问可以换新加坡元吗？Qǐngwèn kěyǐ huàn Xīnjiāpó yuán ma?Excuse me, can I exchange money for Singapore dollars?
- 浩然 Haoran可以，请给我您的外币。Kěyǐ, qǐng gěi wǒ nín de wàibì.Yes, please give me your foreign currency.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我想换五百新加坡元。Wǒ xiǎng huàn wǔbǎi Xīnjiāpó yuán.I would like to exchange five hundred Singapore dollars.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，请在这里签字。Hǎo de, qǐng zài zhèlǐ qiānzì.Okay, please sign here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “singapore dollar” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
