• Since the 18th century, “公司” or companies gradually appeared in Southeast Asia. Companies at that time could be categorised into two types: first, those that were based on blood ties, or geographical or dialect relationships; second, those that were based on a broader geographical, partnership or brotherhood relationships.
• Companies were generally developed from small partnerships in commerce or mining. When these small organisations expand into larger organisations with hundreds or thousands of people, they are known as companies.
• One of the objectives of establishing a company is to enhance the relationship and camaraderie among overseas Chinese from the same hometowns.
• At the beginning of the 19th century, almost all Chinese organisations, such as temples, overseas Chinese associations and secret societies, were called “公司”. However, in the late 19th century, the Mandarin term “公司” was gradually replaced by “会馆”.
• It is believed that when the Mandarin term “公司” is used as an adverb or verb (when referring to the second and third definitions), the usage originated from the Hokkien or Teochew dialect term kong see.

A few friends and I wish to collaborate on a small business. but we lack the capital. Do you wish to “share” in our business start-up? (Lianhe Zaobao, 10/11/2004)