In Singaporean and Malaysian slang, lembek means soft, weak, or spineless — basically calling someone a wimp or a sissy.
In Singaporean and Malaysian slang, lembek means soft, weak, or spineless — basically calling someone a wimp or a sissy. It's borrowed from Malay, where it literally means soft or mushy in texture, but in everyday usage it's aimed at someone who lacks backbone, gives up too easily, or can't handle pressure. Coaches, teammates, and parents might throw it out as a motivational jab. It can sting depending on tone, but in casual banter it's often just competitive trash talk.
Don't be so lembek — just jump in, the water's not even that cold!
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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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(intransitive, Malaysia, Singapore) To loiter about casually or idly, to hang around unproductively, to laze around or relax.
(Singapore, Singlish) , unkempt.
A Singlish word used in Singapore to describe someone who is scruffy, slovenly, or poorly put-together — the person who rolls up to an event looking like they dressed in the dark or slept in their clothes. Selekeh can apply to appearance, hygiene, or general presentation. It carries gentle mockery rather than harsh judgment, the kind of word a friend uses while straightening your collar before you walk through the door. Borrowed into Singlish from Malay.
(Malaysia, derogatory, Malaysian politics, internet slang) A member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), esp. one who behaves in a hypocritical manner.
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(Singapore) ; sissy.
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