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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私

sī

会

huì

党

dăng

secret society

社群、团体

Communities / Organisations

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secret society

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Photo courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board

社群、团体

Communities / Organisations

释义

名词

秘密会社，以歃（shà）血为盟要求成员遵守帮规，以传统人际关系（包括宗亲血缘关系，村社地缘关系，同业结盟关系等）结义为手段，以秘密结社凝聚力量的组织，从事勒索、贩毒、包娼、开设赌场等犯罪活动。

DEFINITION

Noun

A secret organisation, in which the members are bound to certain rules by a blood oath. The formation of these organisations were based on relations (such as blood relations, village/geographical relations, or same profession), and build camaraderie as an organisation in secrecy. These organisations were usually involved in criminal activities such as extortion, drug trafficking, prostitution and illegal gambling dens.

由来

“私会党”是英语“secret society”的意译。
东南亚华人秘密会社起源于明末清初逃亡到南洋各地的华人，这些会社继承中国主张反清复明的会党组织形式，如天地会、三合会、洪门等。
初期的秘密会社多以“公司”之名，组成地缘或血缘组织，并从事种植、开矿等经济活动，类似互助团体。其性质和作用逐渐产生变化，之后部分发展成为黑社会组织，从事犯罪活动。
“私会党”这个词语最早出现在1923年的华文报章，之前多数采用“会党”、“私党”等用语。
新加坡第一个私会党是成立于1820年的义兴公司。

ETYMOLOGY

The term is a paraphrase of the English term “secret society”.
Secret societies in Southeast Asia dated back to the late Ming dynasty to early Qing dynasty, when Chinese who fled the regime arrived in Southeast Asia. These societies were legacies from groups which advocated the overthrowing of the Qing dynasty and restoration of the Ming dynasty, including the Heaven and Earth Society, Three Harmonies or Triad Society and Hong-men Society.
Early secret societies often refer themselves as kongsi and were formed based on locality or kinship. They were involved in economic activities such as agricultural and mining work and helped their fellow kinsmen. As time went by, their activities slowly evolved and descended into the shady world of crime.
The term “secret societies” first appeared in a Chinese newspaper article in 1923. It was preceded by the terms “secret associations” or “secret gangs”.
The first secret society in Singapore was the Ghee Hin Kong-si, founded in 1820.

例句

警方部队连同内政部其他部门，上星期突击乌节路及克拉码头一带的6个夜间娱乐场所，一共逮捕178人，其中124人疑是私会党徒。（《联合晚报》，16/3/1997）

SAMPLE SENTENCE

The police force, along with other departments from the Ministry of Home Affairs, raided 6 entertainment nightspots along Orchard Road and Clarke Quay last week. Among the 178 people arrested, 124 were suspected members of secret societies. (Lianhe Wanbao, 16/3/1997)

其他地区用语

黑帮、黑社会（港、台）

TERMS USED IN OTHER REGIONS

黑帮, 黑社会（Hong Kong, Taiwan）