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karung guni

(Singapore, Malaysia, metonym, or, attributively) A traditional scrap dealer or rag-and-bone man who visits residential zones to collect unwanted items.

ˈkɑːɹəŋ ˌɡuːni59 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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US
#1·Apr 27, 2026US

(Singapore, Malaysia, metonym, or, attributively) A traditional scrap dealer or rag-and-bone man who visits residential zones to collect unwanted items.

{{zh-x|karung guni,報紙,舊 衫褲,歹 黎{lê}撩{liô},電視機|karung guni, newspapers, old clothes, broken radios, TV sets — Shout of a karung guni announcing their arrival|MN}}
Origin: From ; guni is derived from .. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Karung guni means: A traditional scrap dealer or rag-and-bone man who visits residential zones to collect unwanted items.. 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.

For ESL learners

karung guni means: A traditional scrap dealer or rag-and-bone man who visits residential zones to collect unwanted items.. 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.

Cluster: violence
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For specific readers

Karung guni means: A traditional scrap dealer or rag-and-bone man who visits residential zones to collect unwanted items.. 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.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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