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 travel or have a vacation overseas (colloquially known as jiak hong)
to travel or have a vacation overseas (colloquially known as jiak hong)
Illustration by Hong Shin
DEFINITION
Verb
- To go for a leisurely ride.
- To travel or go on a vacation abroad.
由来
- “吃风”原意为“兜风”，后引申为旅行、度假。
- 关于“吃风”的来源主要有两种说法，第一种说法是“吃风”意译自马来语的 makan angin 。马来语的 makan 有吃的意思，angin 则是风的意思。Makan angin 有兜风、度假的意思，按照字面翻译成华文，就是“吃风”。
- 第二种说法是“吃风”源自方言。新加坡与马来西亚的福建话也将“度假”叫做“吃风”、“食风”，意指到郊外呼吸新鲜空气、玩、兜风等，或到国外度假。
ETYMOLOGY
- The original meaning of “吃风” was to go for a leisurely ride, but its meaning was later extended to include travelling and going on vacation.
- One explanation for the origin of “吃风” is that it is a paraphrase of the Malay term makan angin. In Malay, makan means “to eat”, and angin means “wind”, while the phrase makan angin means to go for a ride or go on a vacation.
- An alternative explanation is that the term originated from the Hokkien dialect. In Singapore and Malaysia, the terms “吃风” or “食风” are used in Hokkien to refer to various forms of leisurely travel, such as going to the countryside to enjoy fresh air, play, take a car ride, or travel abroad for a holiday.
例句
学校假期想到邻国吃风，何不来趟不会塞车的铁路之旅？（《联合早报》，6/12/2019）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
Thinking of travelling to neighbouring countries during the school holidays? Why not try a vacation by rail, free of traffic jams? (Lianhe Zaobao, 6/12/2019)