bo chup

Definitions

Indifferent, not caring about something, unbothered.

Singapore, Singlish

Examples

“p. 17 I guess⟳ many people will just act bo chap (don’t care). Nobody wants to confront a criminal and get⟳ into trouble⟳.”

“p. 127 People simply bo chap their looks in what was, after all, an all-male working domain. p. 135 bo chap. Simply don’t care.”

“p. 130 No class Singlish here to stay⟳, / No big shot can have⟳ his way / With how people talk⟳, what people say⟳. / Rules are rules: our bo chap mouth refuse⟳ / To listen⟳, follow⟳ or to choose⟳!”

“2000, Clarissa Oon (quoting Jeffrey Tan), The Straits Times (Life!), 23 September p. 5 When you ask⟳ for feedback, there is a certain bo-chap-ness (apathy).”

“2000, Jessica Tan, The Straits Times (Life!), 29 December p. 8 Desperately in need⟳ of a makeover, these two not-so-gorgeous but talented damsels definitely bag the most bochap (can’t be bothered, in Hokkien) look⟳ prize.”

“H6 [A] recent Gallup poll.. found that many workers here have⟳ a bo chap (don’t care) attitude towards work⟳.”

“2004 Dharmendra Yadav (quoting Goh Chok Tong), Today, 19 May p. 3 In March⟳, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong reflected about the ‘bo-chap’ (can’t be bothered) attitude of young Singaporeans.”

“H9 Companies that are “boh chap” about safety face⟳ stiffer penalties.”

“2006 Elgin Teo (quoting He Shuwei), The Sunday Times, 30 July p. 10–11 ‘Bochap’? Not us, say⟳ teens [title].. [A]re Singaporean youths really so “bochap” (indifferent in Hokkien)? .. “We are not ‘bochap’. We are aware of issues concerning Singapore’s progress⟳; it’s just that there’s nothing we can actually do at this stage⟳,” opines Shuwei.”

CEFR level