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. 利用制冷的设备器材产生的低温空气。
  2. 制冷的设备器材，也称“冷气机”。

DEFINITION

Noun

  1. Low air temperature generated by cooling equipment.
  2. Cooling equipment, also known in Mandarin as “冷气机”.

由来
  • 新加坡语境中的 “冷气” 一词，指的是一些讲华语地区所谓的 “空调”。尽管如此，“空调” 和 “冷气” 的不同之处在于空调可以制冷、制热和除湿，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”，而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 up and dehumidify but “冷气” is generally only used to for cooling purposes.
  • Given Singapore’s location in the tropics, its annual temperatures do not vary much, averaging between 24 and 32 degree Celsius. Therefore, most 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, students would have to bear with the high temperature in classrooms without such cooling facilities.  (Lianhe Zaobao, 19/5/2022)

其他地区用语

空调（中、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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