A Malay-derived term used in Manglish (Malaysian English) and Singlish (Singaporean English) to describe an approximate, eye-balled approach to measuring or estimating — particularly in cooking, where precise measurements are skipped in favour of instinct. Broadly applied to any situation where someone guesses rather than calculates. Typically used with an affectionate or pragmatic tone, reflecting a culturally valued skill of experienced cooks and practical problem-solvers.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
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My grandmother never uses measuring cups — she just agak-agak the amount of coconut milk and it always tastes perfect.
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(Manglish, Singlish) Involving guesswork.
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(Manglish, Singlish) To estimate or guess.
Agak-agak means: To estimate or guess.. It is mainly Singaporean English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
agak-agak means: To estimate or guess.. Register: informal, Singapore English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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