liao

Borrowed from Hokkien 了 (liáu) or Teochew 了 (liao²). Tone and spelling influenced by Mandarin liǎo.

• leow, (in set phrases) lo, loh

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): [ljaʊ˨˩], (interrogative) [ljaʊ˨]

liao

1. (Singlish, Manglish) Indicates perfective aspect (action completion) or change of state.

   Synonym: (Singlish, via semantic loan) already

   I run 4 laps liao. ― I just ran 4 laps.

   It’s going to rain liao. ― It’s going to start raining soon.

   Reach liao, give me a call. ― Give me a call when you’ve reached.

   You decorate the cake liao? ― Have you decorated the cake yet?

   Damn shack liao, need to go back and sleep. ― I’m really tired now, I need to go back and sleep.

• bo liao (unrelated etymologically)
• (Singlish particles): ah, hor, know, lah, leh, lor, mah, meh, one, sia, what

From Mandarin 料 (liào, “ingredients”).

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): [ljaʊ˦˨]

liao (uncountable)

1. (Singapore, colloquial) Meats, vegetables, and other solid ingredients and garnishes added to an otherwise plain dish.
   • 2012, Tan Tarn How, Fear of Writing, Epigram Books, →ISBN, scene: 35, page 72:

     Bak Chor Mee, less mee, Auntie. No extra liao today.

   • 2019 June 18, ieatishootipost, Instagram:

     Had this hearty bowl of bak chor mee today at Blk 58 New Upper Changi Road market. […] This is the $5 bowl with extra liao. […]

Mainly used by Chinese Singaporeans and other speakers familiar with Mandarin.

• Aloi, Oail, Iola

liao

1. Nonstandard spelling of liāo.
2. Nonstandard spelling of liáo.
3. Nonstandard spelling of liǎo.
4. Nonstandard spelling of liào.

• Transcriptions of Mandarin into the Latin script often do not distinguish between the critical tonal differences employed in the Mandarin language, using words such as this one without indication of tone.