Singaporean Mandarin Database

This database contains a collection of Mandarin terms which have cultural, historical or sentimental value unique to Singapore. These terms may be used by Singaporeans in the past or at present. Some of the terms are read in print while others are used in our everyday conversations.

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下

xià

坡

pō

go downtown

Speech

生活用语

Speech

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go downtown

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Speech

生活用语

Speech

释义

动词

到市中心去，特别指到新加坡的“大坡”和“小坡”。

DEFINITION

Verb

To take a trip downtown, in particular to the “Da-Po” and “Xiao-Po” areas in central Singapore.

由来
  • 新加坡华人俗称的“坡”，指的是市区，在新加坡，特别指“大坡”和“小坡”这两个华人的商业区。“大坡”和“小坡”之分，主要以埃尔金桥（Elgin Bridge）为中介点，“大坡”为桥南路（South Bridge Road）一带，“小坡”为桥北路（North Bridge Road）一带。
  • 早期新加坡华人到市区去称为“落坡”，“落坡”是福建（闽南）方言词，“落”指的是“去”的意思，后来演变成华语词“下坡”。新加坡华人用“下坡”来形容到市区去，是受英语“downtown”用法的影响。
ETYMOLOGY
  • The term “po” is colloquially used by Singaporean Chinese to refer to the town area. In Singapore, “Da-Po” (or big “Po”) and “Xiao-Po” (or little “Po”) refers to specific Chinese commercial areas. “Da-po” and “Xiao-Po” was divided by the Elgin Bridge. “Da po” referred to the South Bridge Road area, while “Xiao po” referred to the area around North Bridge Road.
  • In the early days, the Chinese in Singapore usually use the term “落坡” to mean going to the central commercial area. “落坡” is a Hokkien (Minnan) expression, “落” meaning “to go down”. Subsequently, the term evolved to become “下坡”. Influenced by the English word “downtown”, Chinese in Singapore use the phrase “下坡” to mean going to the downtown area.
例句
与新加坡人交谈时，难免会听到“下坡”这个词。“下坡”指的是到市区去，与“到城里去”或是“going downtown”一般上用于口语，尤其是新加坡中年人惯用的词汇之一。（《联合早报》，11/8/2004）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
When speaking to the locals, it isn’t uncommon to hear the phrase “下坡”. “下坡” refers to going to the central commercial area. It is a colloquial term which means “going downtown” and is commonly used by middle-aged Singaporeans. (Lianhe Zaobao, 11/8/2004)
参考资料
点击查看下坡的参考资料
REFERENCES

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