got — English Dictionary

Verb

1. Expressing obligation; used with have.

   Usage

   • no-past-participle
   • no-present-participle

   Examples

   I can’t go out tonight: I’ve got to study for my exams.

2. Must; have/has (to).

   Usage

   • Colloquial
   • no-past-participle
   • no-present-participle
   • with to

   Examples

   I got to go study.

   We got to ride to clean up the streets / For our wives and our daughters!

3. Have/has.

   Usage

   • Colloquial
   • no-past-participle
   • no-present-participle
   • nonstandard
   • Regional

   Examples

   They got a new car.

   He got a lot of nerve.

Verb

1. Have; there is (indicates the possession or existence of something).

   Usage

   • Manglish
   • Singlish
   • invariable

   Examples

   You got problem is it?

   Got ants over here.

   More examples (4)

   Got car! Got car!

   “Got lighter or not?”

   She sure got a lot of costume change, make-up, wig long long…

   “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.”

2. Marks the completive or experiential aspect.

   Usage

   • Singlish
   • auxiliary
   • invariable

   Synonyms

   ever

   Examples

   You got shower?

   I got ski.

   More examples (3)

   I got ski before.

   You got send [e-mail] meh? I never receive leh.

   I got find it a bit weird lah, to be honest with you—it’s just a small cup!

3. Used as a marker of realis modality.

   Usage

   • Singlish
   • auxiliary
   • invariable

   Examples

   I got go Taiwan next year.

4. Used to emphasize that an action has been done.

   Usage

   • Singlish
   • auxiliary
   • invariable

   Examples

   I got tell them just now.

5. Marks the habitual aspect in the present or past tense.

   Usage

   • Singlish
   • auxiliary
   • invariable

   Examples

   I got cook meals for them.

   You got play badminton?