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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生

shēng

鱼

yú

snakehead

Food/Plants

食物、植物

Food / Plants

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snakehead

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Food/Plants

食物、植物

Food / Plants

释义

名词

乌鳢（Channa argus），一种食用鱼。也称“乌鱼”、“黑鱼”、“蛇头鱼”。

DEFINITION

Noun

Channa argus, a type of edible fish. Also known in Mandarin as “乌鳢”, “乌鱼”, “黑鱼” or “蛇头鱼”. 

由来
  • 由于生鱼非常生猛，所以被广东人称为“生鱼”。
  • 生鱼是东南亚一带的特产鱼类。至20世纪末，新加坡进口的生鱼大多数来自印度尼西亚和马来西亚，其余都是从泰国进口。
  • 由于生鱼的头上下扁平，头顶上的鳞纹大而显明，口阔而深，眼睛细小，跟蛇头很像，因此也称“蛇头鱼”。生鱼常把黑色的头浮出水面呼吸，静止不动，等待时机捕杀猎物，所以也被误认为是蛇。
  • 生鱼适合在萍塘生长，而在1960年代，新加坡全岛的乡村萍塘都可看到生鱼的踪迹。
ETYMOLOGY
  • As the snakehead is an energetic and sometimes aggressive fish, the Cantonese call it “生鱼”, which is made up of the words “生” (lively) and “鱼” (fish).
  • The snakehead is a specialty fish in Southeast Asia. By the end of the 20th century, Singapore’s snakehead imports were mostly from Indonesia and Malaysia, with the rest from Thailand.
  • The head of the snakehead is flat on the top and bottom, with large and distinct scales on top. Its mouth is wide and deep, and its eyes are small. As these features are similar to the head of a snake, the snakehead is also known in Mandarin as “蛇头鱼” (literally, “snakehead fish”). Moreover, the snakehead often pokes its head out of the water to breathe, and waits motionlessly for the opportunity to catch its prey, and is thus easily mistaken for a snake.
  • The snakehead thrives in duckweed ponds. In the 1960s, snakeheads were commonly found in duckweed ponds across Singapore.
例句
网络流传，苹果炖生鱼能去除眼袋。（《新明日报》， 27/11/2019）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
An internet rumour has it that a stew of snakehead and apples can help to remove eyebags. (Shin Min Daily News, 27/11/2019)
相关资料

  • 小生鱼是黄金色的，而母生鱼是灰褐色的。雄生鱼的体型虽然比较小但很凶猛。
  • 新加坡的生鱼肉嫩甜美而带弹性，也没有鱼腥味，同时含有丰富的蛋白质，大条的生鱼可以佐料清蒸，味道鲜美。在本地到处也可以找到炒生鱼片或用生鱼头煮的鱼头米粉。
  • 华人相信生鱼具养生作用，适合手术或生产后复建时食用。

RELATED INFORMATION

  • Young snakeheads are gold in colour, while the adult females are greyish-brown. The male snakehead is smaller in size than the female but very aggressive.
  • The meat of the snakehead is tender, juicy and springy, with no fishy odour. It is also rich in protein. Snakeheads can be steamed whole, and in Singapore one also commonly finds stirfried snakehead slices and snakehead fish head bee hoon.
  • The Chinese believe that the snakehead has medicinal benefits and should be eaten while recovering from surgery or childbirth.

参考资料
点击查看生鱼的参考资料
REFERENCES

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