1. First wave

Hang li po and clan descendants in the 15th century to Malacca. This first wave descendants are called babas/nyonyas.
They are characterised by speaking a smattering of hokkien words mixed with mostly malay words.


2. Second wave

Immigrant chinese in 19 th, early 20th century from South China provinces ie. Fujian, Gwangdong, Hainan to Straits Setttlements/Malaya.
They are characterised by speaking Minnan, Mindong, Hakka, Cantonese mixed with a smattering of malay words.


3. Third wave

Chinese from both North and South china in the 1990s, 21th century mainly to Singapore (insignificant numbers to Malaysia due to cross border marriages). They are characterised by knowing how to speak fluent mandarin (as well as their local dialect if any).