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

Communities/Organisations

社群、团体

Communities / Organisations

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plainclothes police officer

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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。
  • 暗牌一词源自于早年的赌博用语。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（即暗牌）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。
  • 后来马来语也将此词规范化，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以及抑制私会党活动。
  • 1903 年至今，新加坡便衣警探所属部门的正式名称为 “特别罪案调查组例属新加坡警察部队刑事侦查局”（Criminal Investigation Department，简称 CID）。该部门也俗称为 “暗牌厝”（厝在福建话中指屋的意思）。
ETYMOLOGY
  • Originated from the Hokkien term am-pai.
  • The term “暗牌” originated from a gambling term used in the early days. The players and dealer each has an unrevealed playing card on the table, with the number on this card being unknown to other players. This unrevealed card is called am-pai, which will only be revealed at the point when the winner of the game is to be decided. Later, the unrevealed am-pai is used as a metaphor for plainclothes detectives who do not easily disclose their identities topeople.
  • Later, the Malay language standardised and included this term in the dictionary as ampai or mata mata gelap (to mean plainclothes detectives).
  • In 1862, Singapore’s first team of plainclothes detectives was established, with the main aim of reducing violent crimes and curbing gang activities.
  • Since 1903, Singapore’s plainclothes detectives come under a department officially known as the Specialised Crime Division under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Singapore Police Force. The Department is commonly 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

 

 

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