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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头

tóu

家

jiā

boss (colloquially known as towkay)

Communities/Organisations

社群、团体

Communities / Organisations

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boss (colloquially known as towkay)

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Communities/Organisations

社群、团体

Communities / Organisations

释义

名词

老板、店主或集团中的领袖人物。

DEFINITION

Noun

A business owner, shopkeeper or leader of a group.

由来
  • “头家”一词源自闽南地区。
  • 如今，“头家” 一词在东南亚地区主要用于日常口语。
  • 除了华语和方言，“头家” 一词的音译（towkay）也融入了英语及马来语的使用中。
  • 2019 年，《联合早报》出版了由资深报人郑明杉编写的《星洲头家略传》，记载了 500 名新加坡头家发迹和浮沉的故事。
ETYMOLOGY
  • The Mandarin term “头家” originated from the Minnan region.
  • Today, the term “头家” is primarily used colloquially in Southeast Asia.
  • Besides Mandarin and dialects, the transliteration of “头家” (towkay) has also been incorporated into the English and Malay vocabulary.
  • In 2019, Lianhe Zaobao published Who’s Who of the Singapore Towkay written by senior news reporter Tee Ming San, which records the rags-to-riches stories of 500 Singapore towkays, which records the rags-to-riches stories of 500 Singapore towkays and retells the ups and downs in their lives.

 

例句
对于林路大厝的研究揭示，这位头家往来于星洲福建，调拨匠师，运输建材，创新建筑，对于解读新加坡建筑史有着重要意义。（《联合早报》，26/10/2019）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
Studies on the Lim Loh House revealed that this towkay travelled between Singapore and Fujian, managing craftsmen, transporting building materials and innovating building styles. This is greatly significant for understanding the history of Singapore’s architecture. (Lianhe Zaobao, 26/10/2019)
参考资料
点击查看头家的参考资料
REFERENCES

Click here to view references for boss (colloquially known as towkay)

 

 

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