chiong

English

Etymology

From Hokkien 衝／冲 (chhiong, “to rush or charge”).

Pronunciation

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): [t͡ʃʰjɔŋ(˦)]

Verb

chiong (Singapore, informal, Singlish)

1. (intransitive) To rush or charge, usually to do or obtain something, or to get to a particular place.
   • 2014 July 11, SGNewsMan, “Scoot From $8 “Chiong Ah” Promo Air Fares 11 – 13 Jul 2014”, in Singapore Promotions‎^[1], retrieved 2015-10-22:

     Scoot from just $8? Chiong Ah (To rush and hurry for the best deals)! From 11 to 13 July only, grab flights around Asia and Australia from just $8!

   • 2015, “‘DON'T SAY GOT GOOD NEWS BO JIO! Aussie dollar sibeh low now, chiong ah!!!!!’”, in SGAG‎^[2], retrieved 2015-10-22:

     DON'T SAY GOT GOOD NEWS BO JIO! Aussie dollar sibeh low now, chiong ah!!!!!

   • 2015 July, sleepy, “COE trends”, in Kiasu Parents‎^[3], retrieved 2015-10-22:

     If the general view is declining Coe price because supply increasing steadily, then why chiong to showroom now?

2. To devote all of one’s time, energy, focus, and attention to doing or completing something.
   • 2008 December 30, Brenda, “CHIONG AH!!”, in CAPTURED MOMENTS‎^[4], retrieved 2015-10-22:

     Semesteral project still currently ‘gone case’, and I am so prepared to get hell from the teacher tomorrow..so, I’m already in hell…CHIONG AH!!!

   • 2009 October 1, Joanne Ng, “Chiong ah!”, in Life Beauty Food‎^[5], retrieved 2015-10-22:

     These few days really chiong my work like siao! Cos i'm one kind; if i can't finish my work, i won't be able to sleep well at night, no matter is what kind of work. Just as long as it's something i should complete, i must complete.

   • 2012 June 22, IT Director, “Break time! Blocks Encouragement Post #4”, in HCunite‎^[6], retrieved 2015-10-22:

     Break time! Blocks Encouragement Post #4’ [post on school’s webpage]: Hwa Chong, Hwa Chong, Chiong ah, Chiong ah! Our block tests will be starting in 3 days! For those of you who have not been spending much time on studying, IT’S TIME TO START.

3. (intransitive) To go out partying or nightclubbing.
   • 2005 March 9, “Home> Bar”, in SGFORUMS‎^[7], retrieved 2015-11-11:

     Can recommend places go chiong/clubbing?

   • 2012 September 12, “Lyrics for Songs Featured in Every Singaporean Son”, in MINDEF Singapore‎^[8], archived from the original on 4 March 2016:

     Today Friday, my bookout day; Sushi, Or-Luah then buffet; After that go chiong all night; When I wake up my wallet damn light-ah; Aiyo Aiyo Ai-ai-yo-ah.

   • 2012, Ivan Lim, Cara Van Miriah, Nightlife [Confidential], Volume 1, →ISBN:

     Where are you going to chiong tonight?

Usage notes

As an imperative verb, it is often followed by the Singlish particle ah.

Derived terms

• chiongster, chiong sua