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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鱼

yú

生

shēng

yu sheng

食物、植物

Food / Plants

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yu sheng

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食物、植物

Food / Plants

释义

名词

一种由生鱼片、蔬菜和各种调味配制而成的食物，一般在农历新年享用。

DEFINITION

Noun

A dish made with raw fish fillet, vegetables and various seasonings, which is usually enjoyed during Chinese New Year.

由来

在广州沿岸一带，渔夫们一般在农历新年初七（人日），将捕获的鲜鱼进行烹饪，再加上一些菜和调味料后享用。
这道源自广州的美食，据说是随着十九世纪末的移民浪潮，由广东人和潮州人传入新加坡。
1960年代以前，“鱼生”在新加坡据说分为广东人和潮州人的菜式。广东人的鱼生食材包括鱼、菜和调味料，一般在农历新年初七享用。潮州人的鱼生，一般用包菜包裹干鱼，加上芝麻并沾上酱料，并在农历新年期间享用。
后来鱼生更普遍称为“捞鱼生”。新加坡广东人在捞鱼生时会喊出吉祥语“捞起”，所以这道在新年佳节享用的美食也被称为lou hei / lo hei，就是广东话（广州话、粤语）“捞起”的意思。

ETYMOLOGY

On the seventh day of Chinese New Year (known as People’s Day), fishermen in the coastal areas of Guangzhou usually cook the fresh fish they have caught and enjoy them after adding some vegetables and seasonings.
Originating from Guangzhou, this dish was said to be introduced to Singapore by the Cantonese and Teochew during large-scale Chinese immigration in the nineteenth century.
Before the 1960s, it was said that “Yu Sheng” had both Cantonese and Teochew versions. Cantonese Yu Sheng is made with fish, vegetables and seasonings, and is generally enjoyed on the seventh day of Chinese New Year. Meanwhile, Teochew Yu Sheng is usually prepared by wrapping dried fish with cabbage and adding sesame, dipped in sauce and enjoyed during Chinese New Year.
Today, Yu Sheng is more commonly known as “Lao Yu Sheng” (tossing Yu Sheng). While tossing the Yu Sheng, Cantonese people in Singapore will say the auspicious phrase “lou hei” out loud. Therefore, this Chinese New Year dish is also known as “lou hei /

例句

在酒楼餐馆捞鱼生，得装扮漂亮，穿着得体。去咖啡店，就少了这方面的顾虑，只穿短裤衬衫拖鞋也可以，多自在写意，而且也不必搭德士，乘地铁或巴士，老远到酒楼餐馆捞鱼生！（《联合晚报》，21/2/2018）

SAMPLE SENTENCE

You must dress up in proper attire when tossing Yu Sheng at restaurants. However, there is less concern when doing so in coffee shops. You can even wear shorts, T-shirt and slippers to the event, and save the hassle of travelling to the restaurant by taxi, MRT or bus to toss Yu Sheng! (Lianhe Wanbao, 21/2/2018)