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.

to take

Speech

生活用语

Speech

Share via

to take

Share via
Speech

生活用语

Speech

释义

动词

获得、领取或申请。

DEFINITION

Verb

Obtain, receive or apply for.

由来
  • “拿”一词多用于口语。
  • 有一说认为新加坡华语中的“拿”是受到英语的影响,将“拿”作为“take”的直译使用,例如“拿假”即英语惯用的“take leave”。
  • 另一说认为“拿”作为获得、领取或申请的意思,例如“拿到公民权”(即“申请到公民权”),是源自于福建话或潮州话等方言。

ETYMOLOGY
  • This usage of “拿” is mostly found in speech.
  • One belief is that “拿” in Singaporean Mandarin is influenced by the English language, and it is used as a literal translation of “take”. For example, the term “拿假” literally means “take leave”.
  • Another belief is that the use of “拿” to mean obtain, receive or apply for, originated from dialects such as Hokkien or Teochew. One example of this usage is “拿到公民权” (“successful in applying for citizenship”).
例句
她因一次拿假没参与工资汇报,被财务部发现工资数额有误,因而揭发她的罪行,她昨天(12月22日)被判坐牢37个月。(《联合早报》, 23/12/2020)
SAMPLE SENTENCE
As she took leave on one occasion and was not involved in the salary report, the finance department discovered a discrepancy in the accounts and exposed her offence. She was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment yesterday (22 December). (Lianhe Zaobao, 23/12/2020)
参考资料
REFERENCES