叻 (lè) - A colloquial term meaning capable, competent, or clever & also used in the name of a place

叻Tone 4

lè ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 口

俊梁

叻 · lè

A colloquial term meaning capable, competent, or clever;

also used in the name of a place (Singapore).

A colloquial term meaning capable, competent, or cleveralso used in the name of a place

Usage highlights

Capable personVery cleverShilipuNot capableSmart and capableSmart and capable girl

Synonyms

  • 能— capable, able
  • 聪明— clever, intelligent
  • 厉害— awesome, formidable

Antonyms

  • 笨— stupid, foolish
  • 蠢— silly, dumb

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is very capable (好叻).
  • Singapore is also called Shilipu (石叻埠).
  • This is a clever method (叻方法).

Collocations

  • Capable person(叻人)
  • Very clever(好叻)
  • Shilipu(石叻埠, old name for Singapore)
  • Not capable(唔叻)
  • Smart and capable(叻仔)
  • Smart and capable girl(叻女)

Idioms

  • None commonly associated

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used colloquially in Cantonese and Southern Min dialects to praise someone's ability or cleverness.
  • Historically used in 'Shilipu' (石叻埠), an old name for Singapore derived from Malay 'selat' (strait).

FAQ