拍拖

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Chinese[edit]

to cable; to wire to drag
trad. (拍拖)
simp. #(拍拖)
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Etymology[edit]

Originally Cantonese from the Pearl River Delta region, meaning "hitched together" (of row-boat attached to motor-boat). Usually, the larger ship carries the cargo and drags the boat. The main channel is greatly dragged. When the shore is near, the larger ship is stuck in deep water and has difficulty docking. At this time, the boat unloads the cargo and goes back and forth, thus giving rise to the dating analogy.

Pronunciation[edit]


Note: phah-tho͘ - from Cantonese.

Verb[edit]

拍⫽拖 (verb-object)

  1. (colloquial, intransitive) to date somebody; to go on a date with somebody
    公司同事拍拖 [Cantonese, trad. and simp.]
    ngo5 m4 soeng2 tung4 gung1 si1 ge3 tung4 si6 paak3 to1. [Jyutping]
    I do not want to date a colleague at work.
    佢哋 [Cantonese, trad.]
    佢哋 [Cantonese, simp.]
    keoi5 dei6 paak3 zo2 to1 loeng5 nin4 laa3. [Jyutping]
    They've been dating for two years.

Synonyms[edit]

Derived terms[edit]

Descendants[edit]

  • English: paktor