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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臭

chòu

酸

suān

gone sour (colloquially known as cao sng)

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生活用语

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gone sour (colloquially known as cao sng)

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Illustration by Hong Shin
Speech

生活用语

Speech

释义

形容词

形容食物或物品坏掉腐烂后，发出又酸又臭的味道。

DEFINITION

Adjective

Describes the sour and pungent odour from food that has spoiled.

由来
  • 有说法认为“臭酸”一词源自福建话 cao sng。
  • “臭酸”含有贬义，可以用来形容食物、环境或物品散发的味道，甚至是人的表情。
  • 比如，“臭酸”一词可引申为形容或讽刺一个人露出不开心和不耐烦的神态。

ETYMOLOGY
  • The Mandarin term “臭酸” is believed to have originated from the Hokkien term cao sng.
  • The term has negative connotations. It can be used to describe the foul odours emitted by rotting food, the environment, or other sources.
  • The term can also be used to describe the sour facial expression of an unhappy or impatient person.

例句
因为她根本嗅不到食物是否已经“臭酸”，放了很多天还是照吃不误，害得肚子常闹革命。（《联合晚报》， 25/6/1997）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
Unable to smell whether the food had already gone sour, she would continue eating it for many days after, resulting in frequent stomach upsets. (Lianhe Zaobao, 25/6/1997)
其他地区用语

馊臭（大陆）

TERMS USED IN OTHER REGIONS

馊臭 (Mainland China)

参考资料
点击查看臭酸的参考资料
REFERENCES

Click here to view references for gone sour (colloquially known as cao sng)

 

 

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