Chinese

[ chahy-neez, -nees ]

noun

plural Chinese.

1. the standard language of China, based on the speech of Beijing; Mandarin.
2. a group of languages of the Sino-Tibetan family, including standard Chinese and most of the other languages of China. : Chin., Chin
3. any of the Chinese languages, which vary among themselves to the point of mutual unintelligibility.
4. Chinese food:

   We usually order Chinese from a place across the street.

5. Often Offensive. a native or descendant of a native of China.

adjective

1. of or relating to China, its inhabitants, or one of their languages.
2. noting or pertaining to the partly logographic, partly phonetic script used for the writing of Chinese, Japanese, and other languages, consisting of thousands of brushstroke characters written in vertical columns from right to left.

Chinese

/ tʃaɪˈniːz /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of China, its people, or their languages

noun

1. -nese a native or inhabitant of China or a descendant of one
2. any of the languages of China belonging to the Sino-Tibetan family, sometimes regarded as dialects of one language. They share a single writing system that is not phonetic but ideographic. A phonetic system using the Roman alphabet was officially adopted by the Chinese government in 1966 See also Mandarin Chinese Pekingese Cantonese

Sensitive Note

In the past, the word Chinese has been used as a noun to describe a person or people (the CEO is a Chinese ). This usage is dated and almost always considered offensive today. The adjective Chinese is found in a few set phrases ( Chinese copy, Chinese fire drill, Chinese money, and Chinese tour ) in which it represents inferiority—implying that something is less good, useful, or effective, or that it is not authentic. In other set phrases ( Chinese checkers, Chinese tag ), the word represents that something is exotic or unusual. These uses are usually considered offensive.

Other Word Forms

• an·ti-Chi·nese adjective noun plural antiChinese
• non-Chi·nese adjective noun plural nonChinese
• pro-Chi·nese adjective noun plural proChinese
• pseu·do-Chi·nese adjective noun plural pseudoChinese

Word History and Origins

Origin of Chinese¹

First recorded in 1570–80; Chin(a) + -ese

Example Sentences

In a visit to Inner Mongolia in 1992, the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, who oversaw China's economic reform, famously said: "The Middle East has oil and China has rare earths".

From BBC

But this week, Chinese officials have acknowledged the potential for economic pain as a result of the unfolding trade war with the US.

From BBC

He has escalated tariffs further with China by putting a 145% tax on Chinese goods, though there are some exemptions for smartphones.

From BBC

The US president announced taxes on goods imported into the US from around the world, then rowed back or delayed many, but doubled down on Chinese imports.

From BBC

The shift comes as Beijing refuses to back down in an escalating trade war with Washington triggered by US President Donald Trump's hefty tariffs on Chinese goods.

From BBC

Quiz

Q: Fill in the blank: "Salchipapas" is a portmanteau of the Spanish words for ______ and ______.

• salt and potatoes
• sausage and French fries
• sardines and French fries

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