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.
Amoy Street (colloquially known as gi oh kao)
Amoy Street (colloquially known as gi oh kao)
释义
名词
厦门街（Amoy Street）的俗称。也称“妈祖宫后”、“观音庙后”。
DEFINITION
Noun
A colloquial name for Amoy Street. Also known as “妈祖宫后” or “观音庙后”。
由来
- 源自于福建话 gi oh kao。
- 所谓的“义学”是指创办于1854年的萃英书院。由于萃英书院坐落于厦门街，该路段也俗称为“义学口”。
- 著名商人和慈善家陈金声连同其他侨领创办了萃英书院，它是早期新加坡华人社会中以儒家思想为主的私塾。
- 萃英书院主要招收家境贫寒的男童，为贫困家庭提供免费教育，因此也称为“义学”。
- 厦门街建于1830年代。有说法认为其名称的由来是因为当时有大批的福建移民从厦门港口出航，抵新后便落户于此。
ETYMOLOGY
- The Mandarin term “义学口” originated from the Hokkien term gi oh kao.
- “义学” means “charity school” and in this context refers to Chui Eng Free School, which was established at Amoy Street in 1854. The colloquial name “义学口” means “entrance of the charity school”.
- Chui Eng Free School was founded by the businessman and philanthropist Tan Kim Seng alongside several other leaders of Singapore’s Chinese community. It was one of the earliest private schools in Singapore and offered a traditional Confucian education.
- Students of Chui Eng Free School were mostly boys from underprivileged backgrounds. The school provided free education to needy families and hence was known as the charity school.
- Amoy Street, which had been constructed in the 1830s, is believed to have got its official name from the large number of Fujian migrants who departed from the port at Xiamen (formerly Amoy) to make their journey to Singapore.
例句
早期的厦门街又称“义学口”，除了以华文为主的崇文阁、萃英书院，也看到双语并重的特色。（《联合早报》， 9/7/2020）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
Back in the early days, Amoy Street was also known as “义学口”. Besides having Chinese schools such as Chongwen Ge and Chui Eng Free School, we can also see signs of bilingualism in the area. (Lianhe Zaobao, 9/7/2020)