This is a phrase I frequently use with my elders during Chinese New Year. It literally means, “I can understand, but I can’t speak,” — a phrase I often use to describe my Cantonese proficiency, or rather, lack thereof.
Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien, Teochew — are just some of over 200 varieties that exist within the Chinese language.
Although Singapore is not a Chinese country, the introduction of trade in the early 19th century led to an influx of Chinese immigrants that make up 76% of its population. What this means is that Chinese language varieties have become some of the biggest language groups in Singapore.