tai ji

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Hokkien 代誌 / 代志 (tāi-chì, “affair, matter, (abstract) thing”).

Pronunciation

  • (Singapore) IPA(key): [ˈt˭aɪ˩ t͡s˭iː˩], [- t͡ɕ˭-]

Noun

tai ji (uncountable)

  1. (Singlish, usually with a possessive noun or pronoun) One's business or responsibility. More often than not, used in a dismissive manner.
    Not my tai ji. ― None of my business.
    • 2018 June 7, Cherlynn Ng, “Man beaten unconscious for stopping alleged groping now gets scolded vulgarities for filming guy”, in stomp.straitstimes.com‎[1], archived from the original on 26 July 2018:
      One of the uncles who had restrained the man then approached James, who said: "Never mind, you siam lah. Not your daiji ['business' in Hokkien]."
  2. (Singlish, less common) Problem, matters (some issue or responsibility that is an inconvenience to the one involved).
    • 2022 July 24, Lala81, “Grinding racket”, in mycarforum.com:
      Ah well... 7.5 year old car, let sleeping dogs lie. If got daiji again then see how lol.

Usage notes

This colloquial term is mainly used by Chinese Singaporeans and other speakers familiar with Hokkien. Not to be confused with tai chi.

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