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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打

dǎ

底

dĭ

at least

生活用语

Speech

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at least

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生活用语

Speech

释义

形容词、副词

形容最低限度。
起码或至少。

DEFINITION

Adjective , Adverb

Used to describe the lowest limit.
Minimally.

由来

源自广东话 daa dai 一词。
“打底”这个词语最早的意思是“饮酒之前，吃少许食物垫底”。经过许多年的演变，广东话沿用此意扩展出另外两个意思，即“穿内衣垫底”和“垫底儿”。
在新加坡，人们引用了“最少”、“最低限度”来作为“打底”的第一个意思，之后，又扩展其义至“起码”或“至少”作为第二个意思。

ETYMOLOGY

The term originates from the Cantonese term daa dai.
It was initially used to refer to eating something before drinking alcoholic drinks so as to protect the stomach. Its use in Cantonese eventually expanded to include two more definitions: namely “to don inner wear for support” and “lay a foundation”.
In Singapore, the term “打底” initially referred to “the least” or “the lowest limit”. Its meaning then grew to include the second definition of “at least” or “minimally”.

例句

近晚上8点，签名会终于开始，工作人员顺序安排媒体上台录影，拍照。而唱片公司所聘的保安，个个都不是泛泛之辈，每人打底有1.7米，身穿黑色夹克，烟管裤和黑皮靴，颇有型，单看架势就会敬他三分。（《联合早报》， 10/1/2008）

SAMPLE SENTENCE

The autograph session finally began at around 8pm, as the staff arranged for the media to come on stage in an orderly manner to take videos and photos. Additionally, the record company hired some formidable-looking security personnel, each of them at least 1.7 metres tall, and cutting a cool figure in their black jackets, skinny trousers and black leather boots. Just the presence of them commanded respect. (Lianhe Zaobao, 10/1/2008)