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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暗

àn

牌

pái

plainclothes police officer (colloquially known as am pai)

Communities/Organisations

社群、团体

Communities / Organisations

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plainclothes police officer (colloquially known as am pai)

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Communities/Organisations

社群、团体

Communities / Organisations

释义

名词

暗探，即便衣警探。

DEFINITION

Noun

Undercover or plainclothes detective.

由来
  • 源自福建话 am pai。
  • “暗牌”一词源于早年的赌博用语。玩家和庄家各自把一张底牌盖在桌面上，不让其他玩家看到点数，这张底牌就称为“暗牌”。各方在决定胜负的时候才会把底牌亮出来。后来，人们就用盖着的暗牌来比喻人群中穿着便衣的、不轻易揭露身份的警探。
  • 后来，马来语也将这一词语规范化，收入词典中，称为 ampai 或 mata-mata gelap（即“暗探”的意思）。
  • 1862年，新加坡的第一支便衣警探小组成立，主要是为了减少暴力罪案与抑制私会党活动。
  • 从1903年至今，新加坡的便衣警探小组隶属于新加坡警察部队的刑事侦查局（Criminal Investigation Department）。这个小组的俗称为“暗牌厝”（“厝”在福建话中指“屋”的意思）。
ETYMOLOGY
  • The Mandarin term “暗牌” comes from the Hokkien term am pai.
  • The term originated from a gambling term used in the early days. The players and dealer would each have a playing card placed face-down on the table. Called the am pai (literally, “secret card”), this card would only be revealed later in the game to decide the winner. By extension, the term subsequently came to be used to refer to detectives who kept their identities secret.
  • Later, the Malay language also adopted the term ampai to refer to undercover detectives (otherwise known as mata-mata gelap).
  • In 1862, Singapore’s first team of plainclothes detectives was established, whose main aim was reducing violent crimes and curbing gang activities.
  • Since 1903, Singapore’s plainclothes detectives have come under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Singapore Police Force.This group of detectives is colloquially known as “暗牌厝” (the Hokkien term “厝” means “house”).
例句
一名小贩绘述，之前看到一名阿伯搂抱着女郎喝酒嗑花生，见 “暗牌” 包围，立马失色，“雅兴” 荡然无存，匆匆离开现场。(《联合早报》，23/5/2010）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
A hawker described that he saw an old man drinking and eating peanuts while hugging a woman, until he was surrounded by am-pai (plainclothes detectives). He was immediately frightened, lost all interest and left hurriedly. (Lianhe Zaobao, 23/5/2010)
其他地区用语

暗探（大陆、台）

TERMS USED IN OTHER REGIONS

暗探 (Mainland China, Taiwan)

参考资料
点击查看暗牌的参考资料
REFERENCES

Click here to view references for plainclothes police officer (colloquially known as am pai)

 

 

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