Phrase guide

bo chup

adj · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Singapore: /bo24−21 t͡shap̚32/
  • Singapore: [bo˨ t͡shap̚˧]

1

adj

Meaning 1

Indifferent, not caring about something, unbothered.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Singapore, Singlish

Examples

  • 2000, Clarissa Oon (quoting Jeffrey Tan), The Straits Times (Life!), 23 September p. 5 When you ask for feedback, there is a certain bo-chap-ness (apathy).
  • 2000, Jessica Tan, The Straits Times (Life!), 29 December p. 8 Desperately in need of a makeover, these two not-so-gorgeous but talented damsels definitely bag the most bochap (can’t be bothered, in Hokkien) look prize.
  • 2004 Dharmendra Yadav (quoting Goh Chok Tong), Today, 19 May p. 3 In March, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong reflected about the ‘bo-chap’ (can’t be bothered) attitude of young Singaporeans.
  • 2006 Elgin Teo (quoting He Shuwei), The Sunday Times, 30 July p. 10–11 ‘Bochap’? Not us, say teens [title].. [A]re Singaporean youths really so “bochap” (indifferent in Hokkien)? .. “We are not ‘bochap’. We are aware of issues concerning Singapore’s progress; it’s just that there’s nothing we can actually do at this stage,” opines Shuwei.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Hokkien 無插/无插 (bô-chhap, “indifferent; to not care about”).