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.
skiving off (colloquially known as jiak tsua)
skiving off (colloquially known as jiak tsua)
DEFINITION
Verb
Loafing while at work.
由来
- 源自福建话或潮州话的 jiak zua，即直译为 “吃蛇”。
- 有说法认为，“吃蛇” 一词中的 “蛇” 是在音译过程中错将 “迣” 或 “逝” 写成蛇。“迣” 和 “逝” 在福建话中的读音与 “蛇” 相近，指 “趟” 的意思。因此，吃蛇（即 “吃迣” 或 “吃逝”）便可指偷懒而少走了一趟。
- 在广东话中，蛇一般也和懒惰的表现相互关联，例如指时常偷懒的人为 “蛇王”。
ETYMOLOGY
- The term originated from the Hokkien or Teochew dialect term jiak tsua, which literally translates to “eat snake”.
- It is believed that the the Mandarin term “蛇” in “吃蛇” is an error in the transliteration of “迣” or “逝”. “迣” or “逝” means “趟” (a trip) in Hokkien, and their pronunciation in that dialect is similar to “蛇”. Therefore, jiak zua (i.e. “吃迣” or “吃逝”) refers to making one less trip due to laziness.
- In Cantonese, snakes are also generally associated with laziness. For example, one may refer to a loafer as “蛇王”, which is made up of the words “蛇” (snake) and “王” (king).
例句
上班吃 “蛇”，下班 “加班”，上班下班已傻傻分不清楚，你的生活是否也是这样？（《联合早报》， 11/7/2019）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
Between skiving off at work and staying overtime after work, one can no longer differentiate between time at work and time after work. Is this your life as well? (Lianhe Zaobao, 11/7/2019)
相关资料
- 在新加坡，人们也直接把 “吃蛇” 一词直译成马来语的 makan ular 或英语的 “eat snake”，在日常口语交流中使用。
RELATED INFORMATION
- In Singapore, people have also directly translated the term “吃蛇” into the Malay term makan ular and the English term “eat snake”, which are used in daily conversations.