The word then is often pronounced or written as den /dɛn/. When used, it represents different meanings in different contexts. In this section, the word is referred to as den.
i) "Den" can be synonymous with "so" or "therefore". It is used to replace the Chinese grammatical particle, 才 (see ii).
When it is intended to carry the meaning of "therefore", it is often used to explain one's blunder/negative consequences. In such contexts, it is a translation from Chinese "所以". When used in this context, the "den" is prolonged twice the usual length in emphasis, as opposed to the short emphasis it is given when used to mean cai2.
- Never do homework den (2 beats with shifts in tone sandhi, tone 2) indicating replacement of "所以") kena get scolding lor.
– I did not do my homework, that's why (therefore) I got a scolding
- Never do homework (pause) den (2 beats with shifts in tone sandhi, tone 2) indicating replacement of "然后") kena scolding lor.
– I did not do my homework; I got a scolding after that
- Never do homework den (1 beat with no shift in tone sandhi, indicating "才") kena scolding lor.
– It is only due to the fact that I did not do my homework that I was scolded.
Be very careful because "den" cannot be freely interchanged with "so". It will sound grammatically erroneous when employed inappropriately. This is because the grammatical rules in English do not correspond to the grammatical rules in Chinese on a one-for-one basis.
The following examples are inappropriate use of "den", which will immediately sound grammatically illogical to a Singlish speaker:
- I'm tired, den I'm going to sleep.
- I'm late, den I'm going to take a taxi.
The reason for this is that "den" often marks a negative, non-volitional outcome (either in the future or the past), while the above sentences express volition and are set in the present. Consider the following examples:
- I damn tired den langgar the car lor. - I was really tired, which is why I knocked into car.
- I late den take taxi, otherwise dun take. - When I'm late, then do I take a taxi; otherwise I don't take taxis. = I only take a taxi when I'm late. (see usage vi)
ii) "Den" is also used to describe an action that will be performed later. It is used to replace the Chinese particle, "才". When used in this context, the den is pronounced in one beat, instead of being lengthened to two beats as in (i).
If shortened, the meaning will be changed / incorrectly conveyed. For example, "I go home liao, "den" (2 beats) call you" will imbue the subtext with a questionable sense of irony, a lasciviousness for seduction (3 beats), or just general inappropriateness (random 2 beats indicating a Hong Kong comedy-influenced moleitou 無理頭 Singaporean sense of humour).
- I go home liao den call you. – I will call you when I reach home
- Later den say. – We'll discuss this later
iii) "Den" can used at the beginning of a sentence as a link to the previous sentence. In this usage, "den" is used to replace the Mandarin grammatical particle which is approximately equivalent in meaning (but not in grammatical usage) only to "Then," or "ran2hou4", as in "ran2hou4 hor". In such cases, it often carries a connotation of an exclamation.
When used in this context, in formal Singlish, the particle is lengthened to 2 beats to indicate replacement of "ran2hou4" or 1 beat when used in conjunction with "hor" as in "den hor".
It can also be shortened to 1 beat if the other speaker is a fluent Singapore speaker of Singlish (who tends to speak fast and can deduce via contextual clues which form of meaning the use of den is taking on), but the Singlish variant used when spoken to a wider Southeast Asian audience, is lengthening of the word to 2 beats.
The subtle usage of these particles differentiates a Malaysian speaking Manglish trying to assimilate into society, and a true-blue native-born Singaporean (whether it's a Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, Malay or Caucasian speaker of Singlish). In many cases, a mixed child born and bred in Singapore will speak a more subtle form of Singlish (together with the influence of another language such as Dutch, Swedish, German) than a first-generation Malaysian of Chinese descent assimilating into Singapore.
- I was at a park. Den hor, I was attacked by dinosaur leh!
- I woke up at 10. Den boss saw me coming in late. So suay!
iv) "Den" can be used to return an insult/negative comment back to the originator. When used in such a way, there must first be an insult/negative comment from another party. In such contexts, it is a translation from Chinese "才".
- A: You're so stupid!
- B: You den stupid la – You're the stupid one
- A: You're late!
- B: You den late lor. – You're the late one
v) "Den?" can be used as a single-worded phrase. Even if "den" is used in a single-worded phrase, even with the same pronunciation, it can represent 4 different meanings. It can either be synonymous with "so what?", or it can be a sarcastic expression that the other party is making a statement that arose from his/her actions, or similarly an arrogant expression which indicating that the other party is stating the obvious, or it can be used as a short form for "what happened then?".
- A: I slept at 4 last night leh...
- B: Den?
Speakers tend to emphasize the pronunciation of 'n'. Context: A is supposed to meet B before meeting a larger group but A is late for the first meeting
- A: Late liao leh...
- B: Dennn?
Speakers have the option of using "Den" in a phrase, as in "Ah Bu Den" or "Ah Den". In this case it serves approximately the same purpose as 'duh' in American English slang.
- A: Wah seh! You actually make this computer all by yourself ah?
- B: Ah bu den!
- A: I found $100 today...
- B: Den what?
vi) "Den" can also indicate a conditional (an if-then condition), implying an omitted "if"/"when":
- I late den take taxi, otherwise dun take. - When I'm late, then do I take a taxi; otherwise I don't take taxis. = I only take a taxi when I'm late.
- You want to see Justin Bieber den go lah! - If you want to see Justin Bieber, then go !
Read more about this topic: Singlish, Grammar, Singlish Phrases