matsu

¹

[ mat-soo ]

noun

1. a pine, Pinus massoniana, of China, yielding a wood used in furniture-making, the construction of houses, etc.

Matsu

²

[ mat-soo, mat-soo; Chinese mah-dzoo ]

noun

1. Wade-Giles. an island off the southeastern coast of China, in the East China Sea: controlled by Taiwan. 17 sq. mi. (44 sq. km).

Matsu

/ mætˈsuː /

noun

1. an island group in Formosa Strait, off the SE coast of mainland China: belongs to Taiwan. Pop: 9800 (2007 est). Area: 44 sq km (17 sq miles)

Word History and Origins

Origin of matsu¹

1860–65; < Japanese, earlier matu

Example Sentences

The PLA also released a map of the intended exercise area, which surrounds Taiwan’s main island at five different points, as well as places like Matsu and Kinmen, outlying islands that are closer to the Chinese mainland than Taiwan.

From Seattle Times

China’s coast guard also said in a statement Thursday that they organized a fleet to carry out law enforcement drills near two islands near Kinmen and Matsu.

From Seattle Times

The drills, which started early Thursday, are happening all around the main island, including the Taiwan Strait to its west, and around the Taiwanese islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin.

From BBC

But it escalated its response Thursday by announcing that it was conducting sea and air exercises that would encircle Taiwan and draw close to the Taiwanese islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin in the Taiwan Strait.

From New York Times

About one-fifth of Taiwan’s 23 million people count themselves as Buddhist, another 5 percent are Christian, and over half take part in Taoism and a range of related folk religions, including worshiping Mazu, also spelt Matsu.

From New York Times