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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冷

lěng

气

qì

air-conditioner

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air-conditioner

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释义

名词

  1. 制冷的器材。也称“冷气机”。
  2. 利用制冷的器材产生的低温空气。

DEFINITION

Noun

  1. Air-cooling equipment. Also known in Mandarin as “冷气机”.
  2. Low air temperature generated by cooling equipment.

由来
  • 在新加坡的语境中，“冷气”一词指的是一些讲华语地区所谓的“空调”。然而，“空调”和“冷气”也有不同，即空调可以制冷、制热及除湿，但是冷气一般只用于降低温度。
  • 新加坡处于热带地区，常年气温变化不大，年均温度在摄氏24至32度之间。因此，基于新加坡的空调大部分只需要制造冷气，所以便以“冷气”或“冷气机”一词代替了“空调”。
  • 冷气机吹出的冷风也可被称为“冷气”。
ETYMOLOGY
  • In the Singapore context, the Mandarin term “冷气” is equivalent to “空调” in other Chinese-speaking regions. However, the difference between “空调” and “冷气” is that “空调” is able to cool, heat and dehumidify, but “冷气” is used only for cooling.
  • Given Singapore’s location in the tropics, its annual temperatures do not vary much, averaging between 24 and 32 degree Celsius. Therefore, air-conditioners in Singapore only need to produce cold air. For this reason, the Mandarin term “冷气” or “冷气机” is used instead of “空调” in Singapore.
  • The cold air produced by air-conditioners can also be called “冷气”.
例句
一般上，天气太热时只要有冷气就足以应对，可惜在没有冷气的课室，学生只能默默忍受。（《联合早报》， 19/5/2022）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
Generally, it is possible to cope with the heat through the use of air-conditioners. However, in classrooms without air-conditioning, students have to bear with the high temperatures. (Lianhe Zaobao, 19/5/2022)
其他地区用语

空调（大陆、台）

TERMS USED IN OTHER REGIONS

空调 (Mainland China, Taiwan)

参考资料
点击查看冷气的参考资料
REFERENCES

Click here to view references for air-conditioner

 

 

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