(colloquial, no-past-participle, no-present-participle, with to) Must; have/has (to).
I got to go study.
We got to ride to clean up the streets / For our wives and our daughters! 1971, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, “Smackwater Jack”, in Tapestry, Ode Records:
Analogous to Chinese 有, such as Hokkien 有 (ū), Cantonese 有 (jau⁵), Mandarin 有 (yǒu). Sense 1 is also comparable to Malay ada.
Meanings
(Manglish, Singlish, invariable) Have; there is (indicates the possession or existence of something).
“There is no such thing as president of the world. But there is one king of the world. I am king of the world. Bigger than you!”
“Where got king, one? Who say so? You play cheat.”
“My mother say got. You don’t believe me you ask her.” 2022, Daren Shiau, chapter VIII, in Heartland, Ethos Books, →ISBN:
Got ants over here.
You got problem is it?
“Got lighter or not?” 1999, Alfian Sa'at, Corridor, Singapore: SNP Editions, →OCLC, page 122:
Got car! Got car!
She sure got a lot of costume change, make-up, wig long long… 2010, Haresh Sharma, Those Who Can't, Teach, Epigram Books, Act II, scene iv:
(Singlish, auxiliary, invariable) Marks the completive or experiential aspect.
I got find it a bit weird lah, to be honest with you—it’s just a small cup! 2021, Daryl Qilin Yam, Lovelier, Lonelier, Epigram Books, →ISBN:
I got ski.
You got send [e-mail] meh? I never receive leh. 2010 August 22, Fiona Chan, “Dummies’ guide to e-mail”, in The Sunday Times, Singapore, page 13:
I got ski before.
You got shower?
(Singlish, auxiliary, invariable) Used as a marker of realis modality.
I got go Taiwan next year.
(Singlish, auxiliary, invariable) Used to emphasize that an action has been done.
I got tell them just now.
(Singlish, auxiliary, invariable) Marks the habitual aspect in the present or past tense.