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.
to date somebody (colloquially known as paktor)
to date somebody (colloquially known as paktor)
Illustration by Hong Shin
DEFINITION
Verb
- To engage in a romantic relationship.
- To go on a date.
由来
- “拍拖”一词源自广东话。广东话的“拍”有着两人并排或并拢的意思，“拖”则是拉手之意，“拍拖”（广东话发音为 paktor）形象说明约会的男女互相拉着手，并肩而行的情景。
- 有一种说法是，以前在珠江的航运常以汽船拖着木船行走，近岸时因为汽船无法驶入，就依赖木船转载人员搬运货物上岸，相互依赖以完成作业，后来就用“拍拖”比喻恋爱中的男女手挽手并肩而行。
ETYMOLOGY
- The term “拍拖” originated from Cantonese. In Cantonese, “拍” (pak) is used to describe two parties being close to each other or side by side, and “拖” (tor) refers to holding hands. Hence “拍拖” (paktor) is used to describe a courting couple holding hands and walking side by side.
- Another explanation comes from the literal meaning of “拖” (“to drag or tow”). According to this account, steam boats along Guangdong’s Pearl River (Zhujiang) used to tow wooden boats along. When they came near the river bank, the steam boats were too large to get to the bank, and needed the wooden boats to carry their goods to shore. Since the steam boats and wooden boats depended closely on each other to complete the job, the term “拍拖” came to be used to describe an intimate relationship between couples.
例句
异族婚姻，分隔海陆，旅游代理和海员丈夫拍拖8年后共结连理，但坦言感觉在一起只有4年。（《新明日报》， 21/3/2019）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
Being in a long-distance interracial relationship, the travel agent married her sailor husband after eight years of paktor-ing, but said it felt like they had only been together for four years. (Shin Min Daily News, 21/3/2019)